Bellway and crap workmanship

Mrs_J_3

I moved into a brand new flat in early November, I expected snagging, but not this.
I had loads of wee niggles with the fault but a lot of big stuff including:
- needing 3 out of 8 windows replacing (of which only one has been done),
- almost every socket having huge gaps underneath it (could slide my hand into the wall)
- a gas pipe popping up inthe middle of hte store cupboard, not sealed properly or filed down
- the phone line broken (floor fitter punctured the cables) so now I have wires all over the place instead of neatly under the floor
- a front door that couldn't be locked from the inside
- a fire window that was open for six weeks over Christmas (i.e. bloody cold) because they couldn'tget a part
- a melted electricity meter because it wasn't fitted correctly (electrician nearly had a coronary when I told him I'd been living with it for six months)
- a leaking en-suite bathroom roof
- my building has been suppling the power to four street lamps that have been on 24/7 for months (now fixed, but has brought up other issues)

The list goes on, but I've had it lightly, other people have had roof collapses due to drain wastes not plumbed in properly and centrl heating systems stuck on at25C for eight weeks. Bellway have admittedthis is the block from hell, but aren't doing anything about it.

So, how do I write this complaint? I want everything fixed, and I wouldn't mind some compensation as I have lost money on this and I've had to take a lot of timeo fwork to fix things (like today!). Any ideas?

Thanks
Mrs J

itsakidsworld

You need to carry out a list of all the faults you have found and make complete notes of everything.

My advice then would be to contact a structural engineer in your region and have a full structural survey carried out. If you do not know one then ask your mortgage provider( if you have one) if they know of one or find a good architect who will know someone.

Keep receipts of costs and time lost at work and make a log file to present in a claim against the builders.

The report will show up all defects and you then need to write to the builder by recorded post and give them the list and a deadline to correct the work. Inform them that you will be instructing the same engineer to confirm that the work is upto standard. Also note to the builder costs you are claiming.

If this fails to reach a satisfactory conclusion then you have to contact a solicitor for legal advice.

Good luck.

car25

Most new-builds do have problems, (usually due to the very tight timescale programmes by the housebuilder). The housebuilders don't actually build anything, they rely on subcontractors, but it is the housebuilder's site manager's responsibility to inspect their work regularly.

I would write a strongly worded letter to the MD of the Bellway office you bought from, and copy it to the area Chairman (who may be based in another office).

I would also ring the NHBC first for their advice. Might be as well to copy the letter to the NHBC too - it may help to speed things up with the housebuilder

wobbley

Are you sure you're not just being a bit picky? Could have been worse - you could have got a Barratt House!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Nah,,, maybe not.