New build house - kitchen not what we ordered?!!

jessmaddie

Hi - just looking for any sort of advice!

My fianc!e have bought a new build house and have a completion date set for next Friday. However, the kitchen option that we picked (negotiated the upgrade into the deal) hasn't been fitted. The builders are claiming that it was done without them knowing by the kitchen company as they changed appliance suppliers (we didn't opt for the integrated appliances) and therefore on one side of the kitchen where we chose to have under and over counter cupboards and worktop space, there is just a floor to ceiling cupboard and a space for an integrated fridge freezer - no worktop. Not such a massive issue until you loom at the other side of the kitchen where there is hardly any worktop!

They called the kitchen company out to look, and they said it can't be changed as there would be too much plumbing/electrics to redo, so the builders have hinted at getting us a fridge freezer put in as compensation, but I'm not really sure this is enough for a kitchen that we didn't pick. However, I'm not really sure where we stand in terms of bargaining power!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

WestonDave

I would stand your ground and get it changed - a kitchen with no work top will be a perpetual bugbear. If its not what you agreed to, I can't see any reason why you can't insist on it being either put right (i.e. exactly how you agreed) or if there is an acceptable upgrade that is better for both (i.e. its cheaper for them than to redo the services but involves a better kitchen) then going for that.

First thing to do is speak to your solicitor, state that the kitchen is not as agreed and that completion should not take place until it is. Alternatively if you need to move in on Friday then get them to arrange completion with a hefty sum retained until the kitchen is sorted (i.e. enough money for you to get it put right if they don't and then something to encourage them!)

pinkshoes

I would also stand your ground and get it changed!! When buying a flat a few years ago, worktop space was quite high up my list, having lived in houses with very little preparation space - SO annoying!

If they won't do the work, then you should get a quote by a local builder to do the work (including materials), and then ask them to knock that off the price, plus a bit extra for the hassle!

Don't complete if it's not as agreed.

Ulfar

Agree with others worktop space is absolutely a must.

Its not as agreed, if they are not willing to fix it then a retention is the way to go.

They really won't like that, especially as a new fitted kitchen is a lot of cash.

Fire_Fox

jessmaddie wrote: »

Hi - just looking for any sort of advice!

My fianc!e have bought a new build house and have a completion date set for next Friday. However, the kitchen option that we picked (negotiated the upgrade into the deal) hasn't been fitted. The builders are claiming that it was done without them knowing by the kitchen company as they changed appliance suppliers (we didn't opt for the integrated appliances) and therefore on one side of the kitchen where we chose to have under and over counter cupboards and worktop space, there is just a floor to ceiling cupboard and a space for an integrated fridge freezer - no worktop. Not such a massive issue until you loom at the other side of the kitchen where there is hardly any worktop!

They called the kitchen company out to look, and they said it can't be changed as there would be too much plumbing/electrics to redo, so the builders have hinted at getting us a fridge freezer put in as compensation, but I'm not really sure this is enough for a kitchen that we didn't pick. However, I'm not really sure where we stand in terms of bargaining power!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Tough titty to the bit in bold!! The whole point of buying a brand new house and paying extra was to have it exactly as you want. This could even reduce the value of your property as lack of worktop may buyers off. My parents flat was a new build and the developers mucked up the agreed layout, she still regrets not getting it sorted.

Check with your solicitor but I think you have a contract with your developer to supply the kitchen as paid for, and they have a contract with the kitchen fitter to supply the kitchen as paid for. Whichever of the two are at fault for the kitchen not right will have to pay for the plumbing and electrics to be fixed. You may also be entitled to alternative accommodation while the work is completed if it is extensive.

Don't negotiate yourselves if you are not super-confident: get your conveyancing solicitor on the case ASAP, contract law is what you pay him to do.

DevilsAdvocate1

I agree with the others - I wouldn't complete until it is sorted. Once you complete you haven't got a leg to stand on as they builders will have their money and no incentive to get it fixed.

D.

delmar39

In terms of plumbing and electrics these should have been designed around your original kitchen design so they should already be in exactly the right place for the kitchen you ordered. If they're not then they've messed it up. When the kitchen firm did the plan they should have sent a design to the builder who then should have liaised with you to make sure it was correct and then the builder should have got to work on installing electics and plumbing around the design.

How will ripping it out and starting again affect timescales i.e. you moving in? If it's not a problem then to be honest it shouldn't take them long to rip it out, do the necessary alterations, and do it again. It took less than a week to put our new kitchen in and it was a fair size.

Gwhiz

jessmaddie wrote: »

too much plumbing/electrics to redo

Translation "we can't be arsed (and we'll lose money)"

poppysarah

What is in writing in the contracts?

Make sure it gets put right. Speak to your solicitor.

You could accept a cash payment of several k off them off perhaps instead - enought to buy a lovely central island trolley type thing - but it'll never be the same as static worktop space.

We've got a huge kitchen with tons of worktop - and it's still not enough. The more you have the more you need!

decsdad

Agree with all the above, retainer.
We moved into our new build home a four years ago and there was about 100 things wrong/faulty/poor workmanship/etc . We gave the developer the list within 24 hours and 95% were fixed within the week. Even silly things like the sealant around the shower was rough(not as good as the showhome) get it redone. We actually have them coming round next week to sort someting out after 4 years.

gabyjane

I agree push to have it changed..a fridge freezer will soon get on your nerves in comparison to worktop space! we have a new build and compared to our old house we have lots of worktop space which is great.
Good luck x