Can we get some compensation?

JSM_AD

Morning guys,

Me and my fiance have bought a Bellway new build. Its been a struggle upto now (a year and still not built) but were finally there, or so we thought.

We were informed our house would be readyin 2 weeks last Friday 25th and made arrangements to go in and 1) inspect it & 2) take some last minute measurements.

We entered to find they had installed the completely wrong kitchen, doors, units, worktops - even the colour of the walls!

To say we were upset is an understatement.

We ventured back in the morning to speak to the Site Sales Advisor (as she was away that night and someone who doesnt know the site was there) and went to to see what the hell had happened.

She then went on to say we changed it back in December. This was not true. She produced a copy of the Choice Form which clearly showed our desired choices and that we signed it on 14/11/10. The choices had been crossed through and different worktops, units etc had been entered with an asterix from her saying "Client has changed to this - 13/12/10". We did not. I made sure i had a copy of this.

We have been in atleast once every 2 weeks since then and she had never mentioned, asked us to sign anything. We had to sign for the walls to be painted a different colour so you would think changing a kitchen would require a signature!

After a heated debate we left the sale office with no answer on what would happen. We took it upon ourselves to contact head office. They later confirmed (after seeking some legal advice) that as we had never signed for it, they would alter the kitchen back to what we originally wanted.

The problem is, this takes our moving in date a further 6 weeks. We have a holiday booked and paid for around this time (as we were originally informed we would be in the house in January/February).

We received £500 compensation from Bellway back in December due to us taking their recommnded Solicitors and they basically messed it all up - but thats all sorted and forgotten.

So what im basically asking is on the back of this mix up, do you guys think its worth pursuing some compensation? I know legally their covered as they have not served notice on the property.

Our mortgage doesnt run out till August - managed to bag a 2 year fixed 4.2% in March. However they are revaluating the house as its been a year now (lets pray they under value it).

Thanks for reading. Hope thats clear enough, any questions feel free

Jamie & Angela

silvercar

They made a mistake, they are putting it right. Doubt you would get much compensation.

madmish00

6 weeks to change a kitchen! Sorry but that stunned me!

I think the only compensation you could argue really is for the additional 6 weeks accomodation costs because obviously you wouldn't have incurred these if the buidl was finished as scheduled

sonastin

madmish00 wrote: »

6 weeks to change a kitchen! Sorry but that stunned me!

I think the only compensation you could argue really is for the additional 6 weeks accomodation costs because obviously you wouldn't have incurred these if the buidl was finished as scheduled

Not even that I'm afraid. The difference in cost between what you're paying where you are and what you'll be paying to live in the house if you were in for those 6 weeks maybe, if your current rent is higher than the mortgage.

JSM_AD

Were both currently living with parents as this is our first house, I suppose we could argue extra living costs but we don't pay rent.

I'm going to have a chat with my solicitor monday and see what he thinks, the whole process has been a shambles. The sales director of Bellway is ringing me tomorrow so we will see what she has to say

Thanks for the replys guys!

Jamie & Angela

JSM_AD

Oh and it takes 6 weeks as the kitchen is a quirky shape and has to be cut to order, the firm they use has packed up and left the site as all work finished as far as their concerned.

Gwhiz

Welcome to the !!!!!! world of buying from large developers (not always, obviously).

I would just move on and get on with your life and let the bitterness subside.

JSM_AD

Iv had an email to say the Sales Director of Bellway LTD will contact me tomorrow - should be interesting Thanks again people for your replys - il update if anything interesting happens.

Gwhiz

JSM_AD wrote: »

Iv had an email to say the Sales Director of Bellway LTD will contact me tomorrow - should be interesting Thanks again people for your replys - il update if anything interesting happens.

Be interested to hear what he's offering. If you get anything I'll be pleasantly shocked!!

grimsalve

JSM_AD wrote: »

The choices had been crossed through and different worktops, units etc had been entered with an asterix from her saying "Client has changed to this - 13/12/10". We did not. I made sure i had a copy of this.

Which probably means one of your neighbours had changed their minds about their kitchen on the 13th of December and your sales advisor has amended the wrong order. How come these big developers keep getting it wrong time and time again?

The good news is they're sorting the problem out, I doubt they will give you any compensation.

JSM_AD

Turns out she was in a meeting all day and we had someone below her ring to "give us the good news that our kitchen is being delivered on Wednesday" ... Still couldn't tell us when itl be fitted though...expecting confirmation of that tomorrow.

It's been a very stressful procedure when you think that there wud be nothing easier than a first time buyer buying a new build...

I asked if someone else is now with the wrong kitchen and she was adamant there wasn't..

Solicitor was interested to know a out all this, hopefully tomorro brings beta news

Thanks peeps

Jamie & Angela