Help! Badly Built House

montypython_3

They will have to repair as having read through the guarantee is states that sewage pipes are covered for the first 2 years apart from blockages. However the independent survey states that

" The survey has identified that a lump of concrete slab or similar between manhole 1 and manhole 2. Also, it was noted that the pipework reduces in size from 150mm to 10mm

The cause of this fault is poor design/installation"

I dont think they can therefore dispute it but I also think they should show some kind of customer sservice and compensate me for all aggrevation, does anyone agree?

I appreciate the house will have problems with drying out and settlement cracks etc. Like I said this is the 3rd new build wwe've had but only one with these problems. And when two independent professionals tell you you're having problems due to poor build quality surely the builders should look to rectify their mistakes and compensate the paying customer for the mental anguish?

Willapp_2

In short, yes they should be fixing this - your report clearly states that its a design fault, something they can hardly argue.

I agree with Doozergirl in that, before you make *any* mention of compensation, first establish that they will resolve the problem and wait for the work to actually commence. *Then* start talking compensation - might be worth taking photos/collecting as much supporting evidence as possible, should they try and dispute the problems.

I would guess you could argue for a couple of grand compensation perhaps - like you said, you can't hope to gain financially from the problems, but you should get some compensation (in my opinion), even if purely to 'punish' the developers for such shoddy work. If not there is no reason they wouldn't do exactly the same thing again!!

fishpond

Also, it was noted that the pipework reduces in size from 150mm to 10mm

Are you sure that is not 100mm not 10mm.

montypython_3

yes sorry my typing mistake it reduces to 100mm (thats what happens when I try to do this whilst at work)
Its hard to really gather evidence as obviously I dont want to go lifting up the manhole covers and things myself.

Thanks for all your advice so I shall put a letter together to enclose with the copy report how do you think I should word the letter?

When they do start the work I wont even be able to get inside my house as the manholes run directly across the front of my house and dont particularly want my daughter anywhere near at the time, suppose it depends how long it will take?

The report also says they are concerns regarding how to dig up the pipes as they are so close to the house. I think they mean it could damage the foundations? :eek:

montypython_3

Anyone any ideas how to word my letter?

bunking_off

Doozergirl wrote:

Even stuff like boilers breaking you have to accept because we all know that sometimes we buy new things and they don't work.

No you don't. If the boiler goes during the first couple of years, you should be covered by the builder's warranty. I know this from experience because the main circuit card on mine went twice. It won't be covered by the more generic NHBC provisions that kick in after that because these are really about the structure of the house, which is why it's a good idea to get e.g. a British Gas warranty (and pref at month 21, because they tend to have a "bedding in" period).

To the OP, be fair, state your case clearly, and if you don't get satisfaction invoke the NHBC dispute resolution process. Try as much as possible to keep things in writing (or if you have a conversation insist on a record of it), because otherwise you'll have no proof of what's been said/promised if you do need to escalate. On a bigger picture, it's worthwhile investing in a full structural survey on your property to flag anything major that's outstanding...the builders won't argue with such a document.

As for fixing the drains, well our property is 4 years old, the estate hasn't yet been adopted by the authorities and hence our external drains are still regularly cleaned out by the builders' subcontractors. Blockages on a property of your age are highly unlikely to be wear & tear, but more likely to be building rubble carelessly discarded. Definitely the builder's problem.

thesaint

I think Doozergirl meant that things sometimes do not work, she does not mean that it is acceptable, and nothing should be done about it. I think?

Originally Posted by Doozergirl
Even stuff like boilers breaking you have to accept because we all know that sometimes we buy new things and they don't work.

benood

montypython wrote:

Anyone any ideas how to word my letter?

Have a first crack at it and post it here for comments.

If you're going into writing for the first time I would make sure that I'd catalogued all the problems experienced in the letter just to put a marker down.

montypython_3

Hi guys guess what???

I was supposed to get a call first thing this morning from the customer services manager at the builders to discuss my problem as she wasnt in yesterday and low and behold my phones been silent all morning!

Generali

I for one am shocked and amazed.