Snagging and associated costs

PJBDerby

Hello all,

We recently moved into a new build and of course have a snagging list which is inevitable.

The most important items on there have been several windows and external doors which have either not been sealed properly or just fitted incorrectly. The worst of these is a set of patio doors in the lounge which since our move on November 24th have never truly shut correctly and have allowed a substantial amount of cold into the room.

British Gas have today sent me a bill which, even after I called them and gave a correct meter reading lower than their estimation, is much much higher than expected.

So to my question: where do I stand on asking the home builder to contribute to this large bill? I suspect nowhere. But I do not see how it can be fair for them to leave us for more than six weeks with such a ridiculous problem which in my opinion would of course be linked to the size of our gas bill.

I have kept records of the times that this was reported to the site manager and of the times that the window company have returned with an allen key to tighten the patio doors in the frame. What we are now left with is a patio door that still does not close properly, creaks when operated and a locking mechanism that, whilst it's done wonders for my strength, is very difficult to use.

Cheers in advance for any help, all gratefully received.

property.advert

The simple fact is that if you can cause them problems and thus costs, they can make that go away by either fixing it or giving you cash. They don't want the aggravation I assure you but they have thick skins and will accept all manner of things unless they know you are deadly serious and aim for their jugular. Lawyers cost money but they have to know you will use them and a letter detailing a need to fix matters within X days or else they go on cost for your time, outside repairs and legal costs can work wonders.

You then will probably, as I did, have to start the legal process to drag their !!! into court. A settlement usually follows quite swiftly.

PJBDerby

property.advert wrote: »

The simple fact is that if you can cause them problems and thus costs, they can make that go away by either fixing it or giving you cash. They don't want the aggravation I assure you but they have thick skins and will accept all manner of things unless they know you are deadly serious and aim for their jugular. Lawyers cost money but they have to know you will use them and a letter detailing a need to fix matters within X days or else they go on cost for your time, outside repairs and legal costs can work wonders.

You then will probably, as I did, have to start the legal process to drag their !!! into court. A settlement usually follows quite swiftly.

Thanks a lot. I am going to see both the site manager and the sales person tomorrow and will threaten with both a claim to the NHBC and also informing my solicitor. It's not a route that I want to go down but equally another month of £100+ for gas alone in a three bed semi is far less attractive.

mark5

How much gas have you used in the 6 weeks?

edit,


In our 4 bed new build we used an average of 85 kwh of gas per day in December compared to the summer when we used an average of about 20 per day, when you average the cost over the year it will probably be okay.

Doozergirl

It is the worst time to start a new contract for utilities, I've discovered that in the past myself!

If you pay by direct debit, they charge you for what you use but also add some on so that build up credit in the winter months. Problem is that you start in the coldest month ever, your direct debit is going to start at something reasonable when they sign you up but suddenly jump stratospherically.

It's the problem I've found with switching - you get an apparantly better deal but the new company don't know your usage, refuse to accept it and your bills go all over the place, especially in the winter. We've been back with our orignal supplier in this house for a year now and after putting me up to £150 a month after we rejoined them in October, and refusing to budge; they've now dropped me, in December down to £90.

I know it's a problem now and you are no doubt lettting heat out but you need a short term solution inteh way of draft excluders - whether that's wedging cheap loft insulation against the gaps and taping it down with gaffer tape, I don't know but I'd expect them to put right the decorative damage, which they will no doubt cause themselves anyway.

PJBDerby

Thanks a lot all.
I have been onto the window company today and they are coming out to do a repair early next week. At the mention of my gas bills however I was immediately told "it's your first bill so you don't know what's reasonable and what isn't for heating the property". Not the most helpful of answers but I suspect the only one I am going to get for the time being. Frustrating, but there you go.