New Build

SuzieSue

Veronique wrote: »

The builder has agreed via email to do a few of our snags (although whether he does do them will be seen) however before they said they would do some of the snags we have been criticised (For example we have been told we are being extremely pedantic) on email about our own standards and expectations of what a new build should be like.

There are professional snagging companies who will tell you if you are being pedantic for a fee, but there is no guarantee that the developer will accept what they say,

Veronique

Hi, We were going to use one but OH friend does snagging regularly for the firm he works for and some of the items may seem a bit excessive but surely the developer shouldn't be actually saying we are being extremely pedantic amongst other things and should be saying I will meet you to discuss what I agree and disagree with.

nidO

Veronique wrote: »

Chanz4 - Are you saying if you buy a new build don't expect paintwork to be tidy, if yes why is this acceptable or is it a case of this is what is now accepted on new builds?

Unfortunately, as with anything in life, quality differs.

When you buy a car some are made with cheap plastic that rattles around and eventually falls off, some are made with hand-stitched leather which will still be perfect in 30 years. When you buy clothes some will still look like new 10 years down the line, some will have seams fall apart after being worn a few times.

Houses are the same, I have no idea whether what you paid for yours was a lot for a house of its size and location but basically, cheap houses will be cheaply decorated and fitted, expensive ones hopefully less so.

Houses are complicated and there's a lot in them so *some* snagging problems are pretty much inevitable, but if you feel your list is longer than is reasonable either your expectations are too high for what you bought or the builder has just done a cheap slapdash job, no-one else can really comment either way without actually seeing your house, and this is where a professional snagging company could be useful.

FWIW, my house was newly built in 2012 and all the paintwork is perfectly good and all properly done and sealed and all doors fit straight, etc, so if your decorating really is as slapdash as you say, it definitely isn't par for the course with every modern new build.
We did have most of the built-in wardrobe shelving collapse on us after 6 months though, but the developer sent one of their carpenters round to rebuild it and basically reinforce the hell out of it for us.

SuzieSue

Veronique wrote: »

Hi, We were going to use one but OH friend does snagging regularly for the firm he works for and some of the items may seem a bit excessive but surely the developer shouldn't be actually saying we are being extremely pedantic amongst other things and should be saying I will meet you to discuss what I agree and disagree with.

No he shouldn't but he obviously knows that he has messed up and that it will cost him to put it right and so is trying to deflect the blame from him on to you.

You have to stick to your guns and get the NHBC involved if you can. If the NHBC won't do anything then you should try the press eg. the BBC's Watchdog or Rip of Britain programmes.

You could also see if you can take him to the Small Claims Court but you would need to get legal advice first.

teddysmum

Snags aren't a recent thing.


We bought our house in 1972, from a well respected builder (Seddon), and had some back then.


I can't remember what they put right, as my father worked for the company and dealt with most for us, but we were left with a split in the veneer on the lounge/hall door, a bedroom door frame with a chunk of wood missing (already painted over ) and small bumps, splits and ridges on walls, due to slight damage to plasterboard surfaces.

dgtazzman

You are only going to end up with more issues as the house settles (the staircase in mine came away slightly from the wall for instance, which damaged the plaster board in places), so if you let them get away with obvious issues now, how are you going to get them to come and fix issues further down the line?

Must say my developer has been OK. They do tend to save up issues, so they can send somebody round to make a half/full day of work of it, but they do fix things eventually now (moved in back in May). During the first month, site staff dealt with issues and they were there the day after I reported something, mostly. Still missing a unit door in the kitchen for the washing machine, gonna have a new kitchen before I get the door at this rate ^^

harrys_dad

why does anyone buy a newbuild?????

bazzyb

harrys_dad wrote: »

why does anyone buy a newbuild?????

If nobody ever bought newbuilds, then nobody would live anywhere. All houses were new once.

bclark

harrys_dad wrote: »

why does anyone buy a newbuild?????

I bought one because it totally suited my needs, it was really well built and we have had virtually no problems at all. It was also a really great design that is brilliantly suited for modern living.

Ok?

Veronique

Nido - We paid a very similar price to what others local go for. It is not at the high end of the market but not at the low end either for our area.
dgtazzman, I would be happy to wait for things to be done when either us or others need things doing but we are now not getting any reply from the developer and they are still saying we are complete.
So it looks like we will purchasing a new cooker hood because it isn't getting replaced.

We also noted last night that we have a couple of leaks (Haven't really had heavy rain until the last few days) Are leaks covered under NHBC or is it something that we just have to sort/repair ourselves like in an older property?