snags

gareth12_2

having lived in a new build flat for a few months we have a few snags. not sure if they will be bad enough or big enough to get the builders to come back i would like some opinions please

Kitchen

1) Kitchen work top not joined properly and not level on joint next to the sink. If left in a few months time the joint will expand resulting in a new work top.

2) Cupboard finishing top piece is scratched and marked.

3) A little drawing on the ceiling where there is a mark, done when tehy came to look at something.

4) sink isnt straight in work top. doesnt bother me but it should be straight
Living room

1) carpet was laid very poorly resulting in a joint in the middle and giving the impression the floor isnt straight. as there is a line pattern on the carpet

2) carpet fraying in two places already just through hoovering up. one on the join and one next to the kitchen door.

3) still a little bit of dips in floor and little bumps under the carpet after a big dip the builders repaired.

4) door catch doest work. door can be pushed open without the handle

5) small radiator doesn’t seem secure.

6) skirting boards not joined good enough under rad.

Spare bedroom

1) Plug socket does switch off. plug when switched off pops back on

Bathroom

1) Tap on bath doesn’t seem like its going to last very long. very wobberly

also on the whole the plastering and painting is of a poor finishing. i.e. painting on tile edges, plug sockets, different colour match where the builders touched up. very rushed job behind radiators. walls and ceiling not rubbed down properly prior to painting resulting in various marks.

so what do you lot think? which ones should i tell them i want done? am i being fussy?

thanks
Gareth

Doozergirl

I'd say all of them, except for stuff that you can do easily yourself, like removing paint from the tiles. That is the sort of thing that will happen and it does get missed sometimes, a bit of elbow grease with a scouring pad should do the job pretty quickly.

You might have a fight on your hands, but if the developers still have the sales office open and they aren't forthcoming, you could always go down there when it's a bit busy on the weekend

I can't believe they laid your carpet with a joint in the middle, of all places! That sounds really cheapskate to me. The room would have to be pretty big for them to need to put in a join; but a decent carpet fitter can make a join almost disappear in a half decent carpet.

darich

I'd prioritise the list into major ones and minor ones with most important at the top. eg kitchen worktop, scratched cupboard, loose tap etc.

Get the builder in and raise the important ones politely, almost asking for them to be fixed although by simply pointing them out, you'll be telling him.
Then point out the minor ones saying that this could be better or you're not too happy about that.
Give the builder the complete list (keep a copy). Might be an idea to give him a timescale (but quite generous at this time) so it doesn't drag but without demanding it's done straight away.

If it's not done to your satisfaction then possibly give him another attempt, shorter timescale and threat of NHBC contact.

If after 3 attempts (once to build and twice to fix) it's still not acceptable then get onto NHBC.

I've never bought a new build so I can'd advise on the best approach for contacting NHBC or tell you if they're any good. The above is the way I'd tackle it but maybe someone with experience will give better advice.

Good luck

gareth12_2

thanks for the replys, the site office is still here and not going any where soon. ill go have a word with them. the room has a little extension on and thats where the join is. you can see it when u walk in the front door and thats with looking through the hallway. as ive never brought a new build or even a old one i dont have a clue on what i should moan about, so thank you for all your helps. and if anyone has been in the same situation please tell me what sort of things you had to get done. that way people will now whats ok to accept and whats not.

thanks

gareth12_2

also with being full time worker would it be wise to give them the keys and let them get on with it or have a day of. i remember the time they came out to do the floor before because it felt like you was dizzy when u walked over this dip. and they wasnt here until the afternoon. waste of space.

Jonbvn

I would advise anyone looking to buy a new build to get a snagging inspection done before completion, by a professional inspector. PM me for details of the company I used, who were excellent, or do a quick google search.

iwilldoitthistime

From experience I would keep on at them about every detail - as time gets on, some faults get worse, and the longer it has been since you moved in, the more reluctant they are to do anything about it.

I contacted NHBC and they were really friendly - when I told the builder Id done this, they were straight round to check the problems. NHBC basically said that if I didnt get any satisfaction, they would step in for me.

The builder will basically 'disown' the property as soon as you have been in it for 2 years (this may just have been my builder?) so make sure you get everything looked at and corrected before this!

good luck!