Major Snag with new build - can i claim compensation?

gregsayer

a week after moving into our new build (18th Dec), we started to see damp patches around the front door (bathroom directly above)
I logged it to the developers straight away (under their 2 year customer care program), and they sent the plumbers round, who tested everything, inc water pressure, and said they cant see any leaks.
the developers then sent a builder round to check the join from the little porchlet roof above the door, who said the flashing around the porch, going into the wall wasn't correct, and he had rectified it.


Still the damp patches increased, then by xmas week, when the developers are shut for xmas, it got worse, from the ceiling all the way down to the skirting board, the plaster turned into putty, and then we started getting drip noises within the walls, (and the damp encroached on the light switch)
all this time we stopped using the master bathroom, as there seemed to be a pattern when we used the sink we then got an increase in the wet patch the next morning. (we told the developers this)
once the developer reopened Monday, they sent the plumber back in and said no issue.
this was followed up by the brickies coming round and spending the morning throwing bucket after bucket of water at the wall to see if that caused any more leaks (which it didn't).


so at this point we are left with the whole arch over the frame being a wet orange moldy mess, as is a section of the ceiling where it meets the wall, then the whole frame of the doorway is putty like for about 15cm's from ceiling to skirting board.


then this morning the plumbers came back, cut a 2ft x2ft hole in the ceiling, and found a faulty join in the pipework.....to guess what....... the sink........


I've now got to wait 7-10 days for the walls to dry out before they can make the walls and ceiling right.




with something like this, would a compensation request be justified?


I've had to have several mornings off to facilitate builders, had to have parents come round to baby sit tradesmen (not leaving my keys with them!)
and have had to put up with the worry over xmas of our brand new house looking crap!

Guest101

New builds are notoriously bad (would never, in a million years buy new) - I'd say this was to be expected.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

I think it would be reasonable to ask them to cover the cost of any financial loss - so the time off work, for example, as long as it is reasonable. I don't think you can claim for your parents' time or even the even the worry. They are making good the damage - even if it is taking longer than you'd like.

I'd send a letter outlining how much you are claiming for (i.e., X number of hours off work at X cost) and politely request they reimburse you.

camptownraces

Sorry, but worrying though this may have been to you it seems the fabric of the building is now recovering.

As Lioness said, you may be able to get recompense for the (unpaid?) leave you have had to take, but I wouldn't count on it.

Jon_B_2

Guest101 wrote: »

New builds are notoriously bad (would never, in a million years buy new) - I'd say this was to be expected.

This has nothing to do with a new build. It was a most likely sub contracted tradesman doing a poor job. It could have easily been a renovated bathroom in a 19th century cottage.

Nobody ever expects a significant defect when moving into a new build - stop scaremongering.

marksoton

Jon_B wrote: »

This has nothing to do with a new build. It was a most likely sub contracted tradesman doing a poor job. It could have easily been a renovated bathroom in a 19th century cottage.

Nobody ever expects a significant defect when moving into a new build - stop scaremongering.

Well they should.

By their very definition modern new builds are almost exclusively sub contract tradesmen. And quite often of poor quality. That's a reality not scaremongering.

Speaking to one site manager who i provide auxiliary services to just before christmas he had just two headaches...

Sacking the sub contract brickies for poor quality work.

Meeting his half yearly sales targets.

Hardly bodes well for the new homeowner does it?

bigfreddiel

Jon_B wrote: »

This has nothing to do with a new build. It was a most likely sub contracted tradesman doing a poor job. It could have easily been a renovated bathroom in a 19th century cottage.

Nobody ever expects a significant defect when moving into a new build - stop scaremongering.

Rubbish, expect the worst with a newbuild. Every new build friends of mine have moved into have had problems, one is similar to this thread, leaks and water penetration from outside. The second, is so major the entire house will need to be rebuilt, from gas pipes not encased in plastic pipes before being concreted in, to no wall toes at all being used so every wall will need attention, not to mention floor and ceiling joists hangers not being installed correctly. It's a small estate by a well known developer, and every house is affected.

Never by a new build.

fj

Guest101

Jon_B wrote: »

This has nothing to do with a new build. It was a most likely sub contracted tradesman doing a poor job. It could have easily been a renovated bathroom in a 19th century cottage.

Nobody ever expects a significant defect when moving into a new build - stop scaremongering.

Bold statement, I think many people expect it (I do, so clearly not 'nobody').


I'm glad your new build has no problems, but hundreds of thousands do. And a lot more problems than 1930's & 40's builds.

AdrianC

What do you want compensation for?

A fault has arisen. Yep, it happens, despite best efforts.
They have taken all reasonable steps to trade the fault in a timely manner.
Now it's been traced, they'll fix it and make good the damage arising from it.

If you've suffered unavoidable financial loss as a direct result from the fault, and can document and prove it, then you can claim for that.

If you've chosen to take time off work to "babysit" tradesmen, then that is your choice and your choice alone, and there's nothing to claim for there.

Guest101

AdrianC wrote: »

What do you want compensation for?

A fault has arisen. Yep, it happens, despite best efforts.
They have taken all reasonable steps to trade the fault in a timely manner.
Now it's been traced, they'll fix it and make good the damage arising from it.

If you've suffered unavoidable financial loss as a direct result from the fault, and can document and prove it, then you can claim for that.

If you've chosen to take time off work to "babysit" tradesmen, then that is your choice and your choice alone, and there's nothing to claim for there.

Agreed, developers don't offer 2 years snagging because they're really 'nice', they do it because they know there will be numerous problems.


It's to be expected and there's really nothing to claim for (unless actual personal property was damaged)

AdrianC

Guest101 wrote: »

...there's really nothing to claim for (unless actual personal property was damaged)

Even then, assuming we're talking about pictures etc, the property would have had to be damaged before the water ingress was noticed for the very first time. It is reasonable to expect the occupant to take basic precautions to protect their possessions from damage.