New build after sales: builder made unauthorised changes

BorisThomson

What are the neighbours feelings on this, are they also still in dispute?

AdrianC

ReadingTim wrote: »

Finally, your house ain't gonna fall down. If I understand your description of the issue, it's not "teetering on the edge of a small cliff" - if anything it's underneath a small cliff held back by the wooden posts/piles.

4ft, from his original post, which would fit with six steps.

ReadingTim

AdrianC wrote: »

4ft, from his original post, which would fit with six steps.

Don't let mere facts get in the way of honest hysteria and hyperbole...

Je55lay

ReadingTim - you have misunderstood. Persimmon are responsible for detailing the topography in their original plans. In fact we have since obtained very detailed plans of the topography that state the house should be 38cm higher than the bottom of the garden (a slight incline). It is, in fact, 133cm higher - it was flat at the top, then had a steep downward slope over 1.2m, then flat again at the bottom. This is because they say they had "failed to take into consideration the natural layout of the land".

As I've said previously, all we asked for at the time was the shed to be moved and some extra paving at the top. They refused and instead dug out tonnes of earth from all 8 gardens and installed retainer walls. These houses were marketed as disability friendly homes and 3 out of 8 of us are complaining (the other 5 were consulted prior to the works and agreed to have a retainer wall installed). We were not consulted at all. It was a total shock to us. The other two households were consulted but declined the offer of a retainer wall, yet walls were still installed in their gardens.

The wall is an L shape, it is 5 metres long and two tiered. The front wall is approx.80cm tall (plus whatever is under the ground). The back wall is approx.140cm tall (plus whatever is under the ground). It is constructed entirely of vertical wooden logs and Persimmon themselves have told us the wall will last 15 years maximum after which we will need to have it replaced. Because it is a retainer wall (not a cosmetic facade) we will also need specialist equipment to stabilise the house while the wall is being removed and replaced. I've now received 3 independent quotes to replace this wall, like for like, with estimates ranging between £8,000 and £14,200 to include materials, but not the extra equipment.

AdrianC

Je55lay wrote: »

ReadingTim - you have misunderstood. Persimmon are responsible for detailing the topography in their original plans. In fact we have since obtained very detailed plans of the topography that state the house should be 38cm higher than the bottom of the garden (a slight incline). It is, in fact, 133cm higher - it was flat at the top, then had a steep downward slope over 1.2m, then flat again at the bottom. This is because they say they had "failed to take into consideration the natural layout of the land".

So those original plans were wrong. The plans have to change to accommodate the reality on the ground, not vice-versa.

They refused and instead dug out tonnes of earth from all 8 gardens and installed retainer walls. These houses were marketed as disability friendly homes and 3 out of 8 of us are complaining (the other 5 were consulted prior to the works and agreed to have a retainer wall installed).

So, basically, a majority are happy with what's happening - and what's happening is happening across all properties.

Strange how you forgot to mention that earlier.

We were not consulted at all. It was a total shock to us. The other two households were consulted

So you're the ONLY one of eight who didn't get asked? Why?

...but declined the offer of a retainer wall

"declined the offer" or actively objected?

The wall is an L shape, it is 5 metres long and two tiered. The front wall is approx.80cm tall (plus whatever is under the ground). The back wall is approx.140cm tall (plus whatever is under the ground). It is constructed entirely of vertical wooden logs and Persimmon themselves have told us the wall will last 15 years maximum after which we will need to have it replaced. Because it is a retainer wall (not a cosmetic facade) we will also need specialist equipment to stabilise the house while the wall is being removed and replaced.

I think some photos would help here...

You originally said "4ft" - 1.3m - your two walls are now over 2.2m/7ft tall, yet only have to retain what you've just confirmed is 1.3m of height.

They originally put six steps into a slope - yet now you need specialist equipment to prevent the house being buried under a landslide while some logs are being replaced.

ReadingTim

Some photos/plans would be helpful (I'm confused as to whether the slope slopes up, or down, from the house), but please, please note: it's a retaining wall not a retainer wall.

Je55lay

I'm not sure anything will help you to be fair. You're just hell bound on trolling. The walls aren't stacked on top of each other. It is a two tier retainer wall, the highest being approx.140cm. Please look up the meaning of "two tier" before you try trolling (stupidly) again.

Oh and I'm female AdrianC.

So, ReadingTim, if your neighbours built a wall in their gardens, you expect them to automatically build a wall in your garden too, without telling you, just because they're a majority? Your arguments are childish and insulting and your understanding of the potential implications of moving tonnes of solid earth less than 8ft from the back doors of an entire row of 8 houses is considerably lacking! You both just sound stupid!

Je55lay

It slopes DOWNWARDS as I have said in several previous posts!! The end of the garden is 133cm LOWER than the house.

AdrianC

Je55lay wrote: »

I'm not sure anything will help you to be fair. You're just hell bound on trolling.

No, I'm trying to make sense of the inherent contradictions in the drip-feed of information you're giving us.

The walls aren't stacked on top of each other. It is a two tier retainer wall, the highest being approx.140cm. Please look up the meaning of "two tier" before you try trolling (stupidly) again.

There is 1.3m of total fall in the garden.
There is 2.2m of wall.

Please tell me how this is happening, short of the ground level between the walls sloping upwards?

Photos would help no end.

Oh and I'm female AdrianC.

Umm, congratulations?

So, ReadingTim, if your neighbours built a wall in their gardens, you expect them to automatically build a wall in your garden too, without telling you, just because they're a majority?

If the layout of the ground is such that a retaining wall would realistically need to go across the entire length of the slope - or not at all - then, yes.

Your arguments are childish and insulting and your understanding of the potential implications of moving tonnes of solid earth less than 8ft from the back doors of an entire row of 8 houses is considerably lacking! You both just sound stupid!

<raises eyebrow>

ReadingTim

Je55lay wrote: »

You both just sound stupid!

We're in good company...