minor problems in new build

olias

Not sure whether to put this post here or in the home/diy section, but thought I would try here first.

I bought a new build house 18 months ago with full NHBC cover. The builder was a small developer (property is one of only 2 on this development). There were no real issues as far as snagging initially and property appears to have been built well. I have now, however come accross two problems.

The first is the grouting between some of the tiles in the ensuite shower has cracked and the tiles appear to flex when pushed as though there is hardly any adhesive on them, there is likely therefore to be water getting behind the tiles. I was initially going to just scrape the grout out and re grout, but not sure whether the tiles themselves will need taking off and re bedding, which would obviously be quite a big job. Not sure whether this would just be counted as wear and tear and a maintenance issue, or whether the builder should come back to sort it?

Second bigger issue is that I have a courtyard with 8' walls around three sides of it, the fourth forming a party wall with the neighbours house (the 2 new builds were 'in fill' terraces in an existing terrace). The developer built and rendered these walls and they appear to have correct DPC etc etc, however, the render has blown in quite a few areas and sounds hollow and their are spidering cracks in it, also the paint is bubbling, suggesting the walls behind the paint and render are damp. Now 3 of these are just boundry walls, so again not sure whether builder/NHBC will deal with these. Worryingly though, there seems to be an area (internal corner of courtyard) Where my building abuts neighbours house which is set slightly back, where there is evidence of damp (paint bubbling etc) and therefore could result in damp affecting mine or neighbours property. Would builder/NHBC be responsible as these are boundry walls to the courtyard and not structural parts of my actual house?

Any views/advice/experience appreciated.

Olias

poppysarah

Chase it up.

You might get nowhere -
poor quality workmanship by the sounds of it.

Fire_Fox

Do you know anyone - colleagues, neighbours, friends, family - who can recommend a highly qualified and trusted builder? If so get him in to prepare a report on that bathroom, there are many short cuts (bodges) that can be taken which can end up being major jobs to repair. Ditto with the render - even if you have to pay the builder for the report. You may also be wise to inform your building insurer and see if they wish to inspect the problems - you may not be covered if it is poor workmanship BUT you might get a free report saying that!! Then write a recorded delivery letter to the developer enclosing copies of any reports and asking him to inspect the problems.