Buying off plan may be a disaster!

furndire

Plans are very detailed when submitted - so details should be shown - building inspectors may be a step.
Slightly off your immediate problem, are the footings in for the properties? The reason I ask is, because October, 2006, there were major changes regarding insulation of a building, and plans now have to be more detailed than ever. Builders had to have the footings in to avoid these costly changes - not sure what they were, but your local building inspector will be able to tell you.

clutton_2

i agree re talking to your local building inspector

or

have you talked to Trading Standards ? this could be fraud .......

Are the props backed up by NHBC ? - what is their view ? although if they are like any other "trade bodies" they don't give a fig about the customers, but you might find a sympathetic ear.

Vicky4747

Hi, no the footings aren't in and the council have been very particular about "energy efficiency" so they will be well-insulated. Unfortunately I haven't got an NHBC, just an architects 7-year warranty. It's complicated but there are three developers, one of whom is a builder and he is building some of the houses on the site, the house I chose is being sold by a developer who is not a builder and has to employ builders and therefore he cannot get an NHBC guarantee. I have no reason to think it won't be well built because some of the bigger houses on the development are occupied and everyone seems pleased.

I think the best thing I can do is wait until Tuesday to see the outcome of the meeting, then go to the Council to look at the plans, then... post on this board for more help from you guys. Thanks for being so helpful.

Vicky

furndire

Even if the houses are built by a developer, they will have private a warranty - which is possibly better than NHBC. (don't know what's wrong with me tonight - can't think of the proper names of stuff). I think if I were in your position, I would be calling at the Council before the meeting and speaking to the planning and building officers.

Vicky4747

I'm not going to the meeting - it's between the developers and the Estate Agents New Homes Department and the Estate Agent said she will phone me on Tuesday afternoon and let me know what went on. But maybe I should go along to the COuncil on Monday - thanks for that advice.
Vicky

WesternExpress

Good luck with it. Just keep copious records and notes.

vansboy

There's no harm in you calling the radio staion, asking for Stephen Rhodes advice.

It'll give you a bit more informed facts, for when you speak to the agents.

Ring him tomorrow!!

VB

Vicky4747

Hi all, well apparently the meeting did not shed much light on what has gone wrong but at least the EA who is handling the development has said that a discrepancy of up to 6" if acceptable but the difference in room size in my case is not acceptable (and she works for the developers). Seems to think someone has misread the plans and was waiting to get hard copies from the Architect and said she will contact me when she has studied them.
Vicky