Really need help with Redrow homes......

benthebookie

Apologies if this is in the wrong section of the forums, and if it is, please feel free to move mods!!

I need some advice on where I should go next with my issues with Redrow homes.

I bought a new property from Redrow on a large development in November 2008 with my partner - and upon moving in noticed that the house was draughty from most of the windows and also impossible to keep warm.

We were initially told it was 'new house syndrome' and to wait until the house had time to settle - which we did.

There was no improvement and so a mass of to-ing and fro-ing between us and Redrow has been going on, which I will try and summarise.

• A large number (>15) visits by 'technicians' to adjust windows between Jan '09 and Jan '10
• Original window manufacturer for property going bust
• Seals around windows replaced - draughts reduced
• Patio doors replaced - no improvement

During all this the house has still been impossible to keep to a decent temperature - and is costing a fortune in heating bills (gas over £1000 last year - and we have Solar panels which provide 90% of our hot water, compared to a prediction on the Energy Performance Certificate of circa £360) and it is just not 'snug'.

Christmas 2010, our water pipes, along with 3 others on the street froze. Redrow came in to investigate and in our kitchen, which sticks out from the rest of the house, discovered that there was NO loft insulation AT ALL.

They put some in, and sorted the pipes, but this started me thinking that maybe this was the cause of other problems, and so I commissoned a Thermal Survey.

This has highlighted missing insulation all over the property (28 areas of concern) - from missing Celotex panels in the main loft to poorly sealed windows.

Redrow did not accept these findings, so they commissioned their own survey - which agreed with the findings of mine.

They also performed an 'Air Pressure Test' which the property 'passed' and they are now using this to say there is no issue with the windows and doors, even though the thermal report states otherwise!

I am 2.5 years into this, and the NHBC have been a complete and utter waste of time, and I now see I have 3 choices.

1) Give up (not going to happen)
2) Legal Route (time consuming and expensive - but also sensible)
3) Stand outside the sales office giving out leaflets to people explaining what has happened and suggesting they look elsewhere (will really annoy Redrow, but may be effective)

Does anyone have any comments/suggestions?

I'm soooo angry about this - all I want is a nice house

Ben

Nile

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

SHIPSHAPE

Where Redrow said 'New house syndrome-needs time to settle,' do you have this in writing?

Only it is complete and utter tripe and means absolutely nothing. Did they expect draughty windows to correct themselves after a period of time?

It is poor standard workmanship and I would seek the advice of a lawyer especially after 2.5 years.

The NHBC are toothless, Redrow are bigger than them.

maninthestreet

So has anything been done about the missing insulation and poorly sealed windows?

benthebookie

Nothing done about anything yet -- still got missing insulation all over.

Redrow are due to come and see me today -- I will report back after they have gone......

mad-scientist_3

Hi,

I have a near identical problem, purchased a new Redrow home, 2 years on outstanding faults no insulation in cavities or loft.. They did 1 floor and heard nowt since. I want compensation as we had to move out this winter, they started the holes in the walls for the 1 floor's insulation and didn't finish until end of jan!

mad-scientist_3

keep us updated please as I don't think I can listen to all rubbish that comes from customer services any longer:mad:

Orgazmac78

Hi Ben,
I too have been well and truly stiffed by Redrow, we had a leak, and it left us with a hole in our ceiling for two years and numerous moronic tradesman coming in and out, and basically in the beginnig the problem was identified but they felt they must try every other solution before fixing it. But finally got done after two years. Quick hey!! The repair job was poor too, but it got to the point where I was so angry, I just wanted them away from me and out of our life. But after being sold a flat and being told there would be adequate parking for a second car, we moved in. And when all the flats in our block were sold, they implimented a clamping enforcer stopping us from parking outside our own home. And when I complained that it was a nightmare parking 100s of yards away from the flat, and I was getting soaked when it was raining walking from my car to the front door, i was told to "buy an umbrella". AND to add insult to injury, they have a showroom at the entrance to our estate where they have put up loads of flags stating "5 star customer satisfaction" haha haha ha ha I just wanna rip em down and throttle them with em. I dont know if you have had the "joy" of speaking to customer services, but they aint 5 star thats for sure!!!!! They are so rude and unhelpful, and defensive about any little query you have. Anyway, I live in Farnborough mate, and if you wanna team up and hit them where it hurts (the bank) then Im sure we could put some people off buying the misery weve had. Then I will put up a flag of my own "5 star Redrow disturbance" :T

Gary

Orgazmac78

I have contacted Watchdog about Redrow, if everyone bombards them with messages, maybe we can all get some answers!!