NHBC Claim

missile

Has anyone made a claim on NHBC and how did you find the process?

They seem very tardy in their response to my own claim. I wonder if it is just a toothless organisation who exist to support the builders?

okborednow

I haven't myself and hopefully someone will be along soon to help you. If not you might try http://forum.snagging.org as i've read this forum when deciding wether to buy a new build and they seem pretty knowledgable

missile

Thanks for the link. It appears others have had little success with NHBC >

'NHBC behaves like a builders club and the really annoying thing is that they pretend to do inspections, see all the problems and rule in favour of the builder. What a waste of my time. So if any of the previous contributors to that forum know anything, please let me know.'

Following the NHBC Resolution meeting I had with an NHBC Claims Inspector and BETT HOMES my Consultant Engineer, who was present throughout the meeting, wrote in his report:

'The overall impression was that S. Darkins (NHBC representative) and C. Readie (Bett Homes representative) were presenting a united front against the homeowner rather than genuinely trying to provide a resolution to longstanding and clearly stated problems.'

and

'Neither S.Darkins nor C. Readie appeared to understand some of the technical issues involved in construction, nor to be aware of the provisions of many of the relevant standards and codes of practice.'

This was from a Chartered Civil Engineer of 30 years experience.

Further correspondence with the NHBC clearly showed what little interest they have in owners concerns.

See here> http://forum.snagging.org/nhbc/540-nhbc-forum.html

Dimey

I tried to claim on NHBC about 20 years ago but they'd only accept the claim if I didn't have house building insurance.
My mortgage supplier at the time insisted I had house buildings insurance and of course I wanted it anyway.

The thing was NHBC insisted I had to claim on the house building insurance not on their guarantee.

Quite a wheeze on NHBC's part. Can't be many people who don't have house building insurance.

The reason for my claim turned out to be that the builder skimped on depth of footings designed by architect so heave later took place. The NHBC and Council building inspector both passed the shortened footings. In fact the Council building inspector bought a house on the same estate.

okborednow

missile wrote: »

Thanks for the link. It appears others have had little success with NHBC >
See here> http://forum.snagging.org/nhbc/540-nhbc-forum.html

It may be worth posting on there regardless though as NewHomeExpert gives good advice on routes you can take to complain.

scottishblondie

I made an NHBC claim successfully about 7 years ago. The property was 6 years old at the time. It did take time a bit of effort, but ultimately the builders had made a mistake when constructing my block of flats and there was no way of denying this. We wrote to NHBC and an inspector was sent to have a look at several of the flats in the block. The issue was rectified under the NHBC guarantee a few months later.

Sloanster

My house was built and handed over to me in Jan 2004. The NHBC certificate runs out next year but having inspected the outside of my house (whilst washing the windows!) I have noticed a crack on the back of my house running from the corner of my french doors all the way up to the window sill of my bathroom. The crack is noticeable on the white harling and I am uncertain if it a crack solely on the render or if it goes deeper. Is this something that I can contact the NHBC about or is it too late? Pretty much a novice at this kind of thing?

missile

I thought I would post an update for those who have been kind enough to offer advice:

Please be advised we had a resolution meeting on site today. NHBC, Stewart Milne Homes and our surveyor met with us at XXX and viewed the damage to properties X, XX & XXX. The meeting went very well. We were very relieved that, at long last, Stewart Milne have no alternative but to accept responsibility for the defects. It was agreed that that they would prepare a schedule of remedial works and submit same to us for comment and NHBC for approval within 4 weeks.

Stewart Milne Homes assured us that works would commence asap after their plan was approved.

NHBC advised, they would follow up and be available to advise / assist us until the work was completed to our satisfaction.

premier

We had a resolution meeting just a couple of weeks ago with representatives from both NHBC and the builder present. The meeting was to resolve a large number of items still outstanding on our snagging list as well as a major item regarding repointing the property which was clearly not carried out properly. I also had an independent survey done and the report verified that the repointing was not carried out properly with areas which were not addressed and other areas where the repointed mortar was a very weak mix which resulted in the mortar crumbling and falling out.


I wanted the builder to repoint the entire property with a much stronger mortar. I was not happy when the NHBC investigator boldly said directly to my face that they would support the builder if the case went to court. He said the courts will normally ask for NHBC's opinion and according to him, the property did not require full repointing. The investigator did not even look at the independent surveyors report. He just made a random decision without having all the facts at hand.

I had read a lot about the NHBC essentially working for the builder because they pay the premiums but I did not want to believe it. My experience just proves to me that there is some truth in this belief. Who wants to bite the hand that feeds them.

Malcolm_Little

We've recently experienced poor response from NHBC ourselves.

We moved into a so-called newbuild house in 2012. A nice enough house consisting of ground, 1st and second floor. But it wasn't until Sept 2015 we noticed a water stain appearing on the ceiling in one of the 1st floor rooms. I quickly worked out it must be as a result of some imperfection or defect around the second floor dormer window, directly above.

As it is a new build property I contacted the NHBC the following day. They took a few details and arranged to have an assessor attend. They said they’d invite the builder too.

The following month they attended without the builder. After taking a look around they decided they'd need to erect scaffolding to examine the roof itself. The following week scaffolding was put up, and a couple of days later their roofing specialist attended. When he’d finished, he explained there appears to be a fault in the way in which the roof/dormer window had been completed but a formal report will need to be generated.

Their own report declared an issue with the: "Rainwater ingress caused by a defect to the lead detailing of the dormer window." And that: "The leadwork to the dormer top was the wrong code lead, not installed to LDA regulations, split and installed to a very poor standard." Also: "The lead flashings were inspected and no soakers or secret gutters had been installed allowing surface water ingress internally. Lead gussets were not welded completely and on the overlaps the lead had been cut in the wrong direction."

So their own report identifies an error on the part of the builder. Yet NHBC will not cover the repairs because they say it doesn't meet the minimum claim amount. Believe it or not, they will not do repairs because the claim is below £1400!!!

Of course their own estimate breakdown brings it below that amount. Funny that!

Can you imagine buying a brand new car with a documented fault, and being told "tough luck", you'll have to effect repairs yourself. At your own expense! It's simply incredible. It's such a disgusting scam!

Has anyone else had similar experience?

superuser11

i have had exactly the same problem with nhbc. leaking roof etc. claim does not exceed £1400. try complaining to their regulator or just take legal action