New House - Snagging and 'Settlement Cracks'

Lil_Dee_2

Hello peeps...wondered if some of you are able to help me in my latest crusade? Some of you may remember that I have had problems getting into my new build (it was six months late) but we eventually managed to get there, and we've been in for just about a month now.

The problems I'm having are two fold really, and I'm hoping someone out there can point me in the right direction. There are a number of snags that I have spotted, and pointed out to the builder, and they are in the process of sorting them out for me - however, I have to say that the workmanship in respect to these repairs leaves a little to be desired :rolleyes: . The other 'problem' is that some of the settlement cracks are just a little too large for my liking (and numerous too!)

So, I was wondering if I could find a professional snagger, would they be able to help ? I've seen mention of such a person on these boards, and I was hoping that you could tell me how to find them ? If anyone should know of one in the South Manchester area (or one that covers it) I would be most grateful.

I know from my last house (it was only four years old when I moved in) that settlement is a normal thing, but it just seems to be a little OTT for my comfort zone, and I would really like a professional opinion. Cheers for any advice/help you can give me. LD x

Debras_Angel

Hi Lil Dee,

Sorry I can't help you with this one but was wondering much the same as i may want to get a proffessional snagger as well. Although not in Manchester.

Any help appreciated from you guys.

CHeers

Debs

poopscoop

how big are this cracks? can you fit a £1 coin into the crack? can you not just get the builder to keep coming in until he's got the job done to your satisfaction? they've got upto 2 years to sort it out for new builds

jimmmyc

In my experience of builders for new builds or otherwise I'd take action immediately or they will be slow to do as required and do the minimum possible.
If you have any money oustanding don't pay it until your happy.
Take plenty of photos for evidence
Your house will be under guarentee, write to them now with your complaints.

Put your complaints in writing to the builder, federation of master builders and if you do have large cracks get a surveyor in to advise you.
Also check your insurance for legal help.
If you have neighbours with the same problems, get together and take action, Watchdog love this kind of story.

susieb

Hi
This firm was used on the tonight program, I havent used them myself but he looked good on tele and its national.
http://www.newbuildinspections.com/index.html

this site also has some info, but might be related to the above site it recommends them

http://www.snagging.org/index.php

JDE_4

Tricky one this. You have to allow for settling cracks and yes some of them do seem quite alarming. We were under the false belief that buying a new house would save us hassle, unfortunately not!!! We have cracks in our house that have been repaired anything up to 3 times and have kept on reappearing 18 months on. I guess all you can do is keep on getting the builder to come and fix them although in the end we just got sick of taking days off work to have 'builders' (most of them are 'silicon monkeys' - adept in the art of solving a problem with silicon).

To be fair to Persimmon they've been quite good at sending the little man with his silicon gun to come and put things right - they're just a little more 'reluctant' to do anything that might cost them money.

The major problem is where the plaster boards taping joints haven't been done properly, this takes the form of a crack that isn't in the apex of the corner but a few inches in. We've had these repaired with a trowel full of plaster a few times but it just keeps coming back. Ho hum.

poopscoop

JDE wrote:

Tricky one this. You have to allow for settling cracks and yes some of them do seem quite alarming. We were under the false belief that buying a new house would save us hassle, unfortunately not!!! We have cracks in our house that have been repaired anything up to 3 times and have kept on reappearing 18 months on. I guess all you can do is keep on getting the builder to come and fix them although in the end we just got sick of taking days off work to have 'builders' (most of them are 'silicon monkeys' - adept in the art of solving a problem with silicon).

To be fair to Persimmon they've been quite good at sending the little man with his silicon gun to come and put things right - they're just a little more 'reluctant' to do anything that might cost them money.

The major problem is where the plaster boards taping joints haven't been done properly, this takes the form of a crack that isn't in the apex of the corner but a few inches in. We've had these repaired with a trowel full of plaster a few times but it just keeps coming back. Ho hum.

It's not silicon seal it's caulk. Developers usually only fix excessive cracks/shrinkage i.e if they are the thickness of a side of a £1 coin. Others are sometimes more helpful, but they don't have to be. Read the NHBC or Zurich new homes guidelines

JDE_4

poopscoop wrote:

It's not silicon seal it's caulk. Developers usually only fix excessive cracks/shrinkage i.e if they are the thickness of a side of a £1 coin. Others are sometimes more helpful, but they don't have to be. Read the NHBC or Zurich new homes guidelines

Well the tube he was using had 'Bathroom Sealant' written on it and he was using it to fill cracks in the wall, that's the same stuff he used when rather than mitre the 2 pieces of skirting board he put 2 flat edges against each other and filled the join.

poopscoop

JDE wrote:

Well the tube he was using had 'Bathroom Sealant' written on it and he was using it to fill cracks in the wall, that's the same stuff he used when rather than mitre the 2 pieces of skirting board he put 2 flat edges against each other and filled the join.

well that's what it's for the 'bathroom'. They should be using caulk for walls on new builds. Get them back in to do a proper job.

jimmmyc

"Well the tube he was using had 'Bathroom Sealant' written on it and he was using it to fill cracks in the wall, that's the same stuff he used when rather than mitre the 2 pieces of skirting board he put 2 flat edges against each other and filled the join"

I would complain about that, extremely poor work, especially the skirting board.

Jorgan_2

OP, it may worth checking with your new neighbours, assuming they are in new properties, to see if they have similar problems. If you approach a snagging company you may be able to do a 'group buy' and get there services for a discounted price. They may also have more clout with the builder if they are acting for 5 or 6 clients on the same development rather than an individual.