Week to completion and steps and handrail appear on our new house

Jassa

Long time lurker - picked up loads of good advice from you guys here. Think this is a 'suck it up' situation; a week to go to completion on our new build house and we went to have a look from the safety fence yesterday only to find a flight of steps and handrail to the front door. Not there last week, no communication about it from the developer, nothing on any documentation or plans. Obviously some issue about pavement level and front door level. So disappointed as it isn't pretty! Advice?? Thank you.

hazyjo

Were you expecting steps at least? How were you expecting to reach the front door without them? Ring them to see if the handrail can be removed if that's what you're objecting to.

Mutton_Geoff

Must have a flight of 3 steps or more I guess. Building regs part M insist on a rail for this. It won't pass building control without but you could always take it down after you move in.

Jassa

Thank you for replying. No mention of steps and handrail in any documentation or artist's impression, etc. Yes, 3 steps and Building Regs apply for a handrail, so not able to take it down. Preparing for a row but don't think there is anything we can do.

HWG

I'd just hire a handyman to remove the handrail after you move in.

comeandgo

Should you not have a ramp too? Once you are in the house, you can get rid of it. It needs to be there to pass the building inspection.

societys_child

So disappointed as it isn't pretty! Advice??

Did you take a photo?

Jassa

No, was too surprised to think about it! We can't get close up because of safety fencing. We've got the 'walk through' with the developer on Thursday so that should be an interesting meeting. I guess I'm cross because they didn't contact us about the problem and they are one of those developers that load the covenants with permission fees if we should do anything to the outside even though it is freehold! Taking on board what others have suggested about taking the handrail down.

EachPenny

comeandgo wrote: »

Should you not have a ramp too? Once you are in the house, you can get rid of it. It needs to be there to pass the building inspection.

Jassa wrote: »

No, was too surprised to think about it! We can't get close up because of safety fencing. We've got the 'walk through' with the developer on Thursday so that should be an interesting meeting.

It is fortunate then that you don't have a friend/relative who is a wheelchair user and will be visiting regularly. Or have you? :silenced:

I find it amazing that a developer can still sell a product (a house) which is not accessible, yet billions of pounds of taxpayers money is being spent buying new accessible trains and buses, and access has to be designed in to many other types of new building.

aneary

EachPenny wrote: »

I find it amazing that a developer can still sell a product (a house) which is not accessible, yet billions of pounds of taxpayers money is being spent buying new accessible trains and buses, and access has to be designed in to many other types of new building.

Because the developer is selling to an individual (or family) and is a private dwelling but trains and buses are used by the public at large.

chappers

aneary wrote: »

Because the developer is selling to an individual (or family) and is a private dwelling but trains and buses are used by the public at large.

Not true, new development must comply with part M of the building regs. Part M does allow for stepped access in certain circumstances, where level or ramped access is not practical, there are rules governing the layout of these steps and the length and width of the fights.

I would seriously be asking why there are now steps to your front door that weren't part of the original plan, maybe ask them how your wheelchair bound mother is now going to get into the house and see what there response is.