need advice on how to bargain with builder

TClite

looking for some advice on how to best use the current set of circumstances to our advantage with regards to getting some form of incentive from our builder.

Weve been delayed several times since agreeing to buy off plan, we knew this was a possibility so we have lived with it. However after several assurances we would be moved in come end of April/beginning of May we booked a holiday leaving mid June. This was somewhat reluctant however my girlfriend has designated annual leave periods and it was June or nothing and this being our first house which we have saved so hard for going on 5 years we decided it was worth celebrating! Next, you guessed it, the builder delays us until June with assurances that they will be ready to complete before we go. Well we leave for holiday next week and our builder still cant commit that they will be ready 1 week before we apparently move in? Ive never experienced anything like it. Ive been promised a call this coming Monday to supposedly let me know however we're thinking it will take a week to clean/finalise and pass its inspection ie same story not ready.

Its pretty obvious itll be ready at some point whilst we are abroad and given we dont come home until July im assuming they will be pretty desperate to complete due to their June half year figures etc? So we were planning on now using this to our advantage and agreeing to complete whilst away via power of attorney only if we are offered an incentive and this is where I need advice on how to best play it. Ultimately we feel we deserve something, me and my girlfriend have had to undergo so many inconveniences due to this.

thanks.

arbrighton

You did notice the severe weather in feb/ march that meant building sites were pretty much a no go? It is pretty inevitable that time frames will slip.
Have you exchanged contracts yet?
I don't think the sense of entitlement will come to anything. It's not going to make them build any quicker. I assume you've explained to them that you're away?
How did you come up with this idea about power of attorney? Where on earth are you going that a sol can't leave you a message or send you an email that you can get and reply at some point authorising it? I have spent part of at least one holiday dealing with trying to get hold of EA/ Sols to deal with last minute gazundering etc
And if you have exchanged and the builder issues notice to complete, that's it, you're committed to your sol drawing down the monies and completing or you will be subject to financial penalties.