New build after sales: builder made unauthorised changes

AdrianC

Cornucopia wrote: »

The HSBC warranty is only of limited use for most people

Umm, NHBC...

Cornucopia

AdrianC wrote: »

Umm, NHBC...

D'oh.... that one too.

cjmillsnun

Ok you're stuck with a retaining wall unless you relandscape completely. Your best bet to avoid the need to replace every 15 years is to replace it with a concrete wall and then face it with whatever kind of cladding (render, wood, brick or whatever) to create a permanent wall. I know this because my parents had to build a retaining wall for the garden of their new build for similar reasons. That was 30 years ago and the wall is still as solid today as the day it was built. I would suggest that this is the solution. You put forward to Persimmon. I doubt you'll get very far but it's worth a shot.

At the end of the day when buying a property the rule is caveat emptor.

Always snag the property prior to completion. Don't accept any excuses. If there are no hard hats available you firmly ask the site agent to obtain them. The result is some of the contractors get an extended tea break and you get your snagging done.

[Deleted User]

AdrianC wrote: »

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

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.

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

"declined the offer" or actively objected?

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.

I dont get you Adrian unless you are from a developer or even Persmmmon themselves.

Clearly you buy a house on the basis of the information available and confirmed not what may change in the future but if it does dont worry we won't tell you.

I completely agree with the OP. If she was proimised 2 steps thats what she should have. If for whatever reason this is not possible Persimmon should have had the courtesy to ring or write and explain what was originally offered ie 2 steps is no longer suitable and go through options with the OP. No way should anyone carry out work in someones garden without consulting with them first.

After all if I pay landscaper to put in a pond and he says its good to go I dont expect to find a gazebo when I get home.

AdrianC

BBH123 wrote: »

I dont get you Adrian unless you are from a developer or even Persmmmon themselves.

<chuckle>

I completely agree with the OP. If she was proimised 2 steps thats what she should have.

Go and mock up a 650mm step, and tell me if you think that's usable. A normal step riser height is around 200mm. THAT's why there's six steps to cover a 1.3m change in height, rather than two.

[Deleted User]

AdrianC wrote: »

<chuckle>



Go and mock up a 650mm step, and tell me if you think that's usable. A normal step riser height is around 200mm. THAT's why there's six steps to cover a 1.3m change in height, rather than two.

Well why was she told 2 steps in the first place then if it is totally inappropriate.

AdrianC

BBH123 wrote: »

Well why was she told 2 steps in the first place then if it is totally inappropriate.

Have you actually read the thread? That came from the salesmuppet. The OP never viewed the plot before move-in. A brief glance would have said "This is too tall for the 1-2 steps suggested". The "safety rail" apparently in place sounds like massive overkill, but that's a separate issue.

I'm still waiting for photos.

[Deleted User]

Quote ''We bought our new build house last year, completed and moved in in August 2016. We were told during the sales process that our garden would have "a slight incline and one or two steps" and we were shown a plan where the sales woman pointed to where the slope would be and the two steps. We accepted this and paid our reservation fee'' Quote.


As above seems to cover it.

AdrianC

BBH123 wrote: »

As above seems to cover it.

Yes, it does. And that "plan" would have been clearly stated as being illustrative only, and subject to ground conditions, as the briefest of glances at the actual plot would have sanity-checked.

ProDave

How long is the garden? Without that info we don't know how steep the slope would be if there were no steps at all.

But you can't change the laws of physics. You have a certain drop from the house to the far end. However you landscape it as a slope, big steps, small steps, you still have the same drop from end to end, so you need to decide if you would rather have it all on a slope, or level bits with retaining walls.

It sounds to me like your argument is I want a different garden without a slope. That just is not going to happen is is?