Scratches on windows of a new built

Kraecki

Hi everybody,

would be great if somebody can give me advise on the following issue:

I have bought a new built flat in the middle of December 2011. One week after the completion date I realised that there are a lot of scratches on the windows. I assume the scratches were produced when the builders of the developer cleaned the windows (which happened between my snagging appointment and the completion date).

I complained about the scratches in the windows after the completion date and basically the only solution is to replace the windows (which is very expensive) as it is very difficult to repair these cratches. Now the developer is saying that they will not do that because I discovered the scratches after the completion date.

I have spoken to a number of friends and the majority thinks that I can ask for new windows.

I am thinking to raise the claim via a small claims court.

Any thoughts on this would be very much appreciated.

Thanks a lot

GAH

Where are these scratches, on the outside or inside?

How bad are these scratches?

I only ask this to get a little more info to work with here, as unless the windows were cleaned with a rock or somethign its unlikely it was going to be caused by cleaning them.

I would write to the developer making your intentons clear what you want.

If no help, then you could contact the NHBC which you will have a warranty with. How helpful they will be is questionable.

Kraecki

Hi GAH,

thanks for replying. The scratches are from the inside. Most of them are c. 5-10cm long and you can clearly see them if you stand in front of the window but you would not see them if you are a few metres standing away from the window.

The windows were very dirty from the inside when I did the snagging (i.e. some paint stains) that is why I think it might have happened when they cleaned the windows. Yes I doubt that NHBC will cover this that is why I think if I want to achieve something I have to take legal proceedings.

terrierlady

LOOK ON THE FORM YOU SIGNED did you do a pre completion visit with the site manager? it normally states that you have to be a certain distance from the window when viewing the scratches before they would replace, in our case its 4ft away the guide line is from nhbc what does it say on your form.Good idea for anyone viewing a completed property to make a snag list /get the site manager to sign it always keep a copy just incase of issues later on.

Kraecki

Yes I did a pre-completion visit and did not spot the scratches back then. I would have to check the form again but I don't think that there was any information in regards to this.

Oneday77

Any glass is easy to scratch if you know how to do it properly. If the builder asked anyone to clean the windows as part of snagging, if that person had a ring that contained a diamond, there is your scratches. MY OH has managed to 'Cut' the inside of your car windows, mirrors, etc.

It may be worth asking who did the cleaning and what, materials they used. Keep the ring theory to yourself until you maybe meet the person in question.

There is of course the possibility that you did it by mistake if you cleaned them yourself.

Slinky

All sorts of grit will scratch glass, it's a myth it's only diamonds that will do it. We've got a lovely scratch on our sunroom window done by the window cleaner - not the sort of bloke who wears diamond rings!

My dad managed to scratch his car windscreen with a hard plastic scraper.

gooner63_2

I had windows that were scratched.....caused by render splashes .....which were then rubbed off by the builder, but caused scratches in the process. Only noticed after completion....but got them replaced via NHBC !

MissKitty

We bought a new build house (nearly 4 years ago), fortunately we didn't have any problems like yours but our next door neighbours had scratches all over their patio glass windows. They contacted the developer and they were replaced and if I remember right this was several months after they moved in.

We had a 2 year customer service cover with the developer then the remaining 8 years with NHBC. We had part of a roof tile fall off our roof 1 day after our 2 year customer service cover ended, when I tried to get them to fix it they said I should of called the day before, I tried to explain the tile hadn't fallen off at that point!!

We had a big problem with the land in our back garden and I fought the developer tooth and nail for 8 months till they fixed it. I took it all the way to the top and threatened them with legal action until they finally they fixed it, I then took them on for compensation and got it.

They could of damaged the glass when installing it, keep on at them to replace it.:j

linda_brew

we had french doors scratched on the inside. it was from the sparks thrown off from an electrical saw.

Kraecki

Many thanks for all the replies. Very much appreciated! It sounds like it is worth to keep on fighting. I am still waiting to hear back from the developer on whether they can repair the scratches. However if they refuse to do anything I will have to initiate some legal action.