issue with new build

Zales200483

At the moment the propose solution is to drain through the wall to get the kitchen waste pipe outside, run it down to the gulley which then will be going underground around the corner directly to the manhole.
No work has been carried on yet, i still awaiting for all the paperwork as i was promised.
When i inquired about water testing the for completion certificate manager stated that they open all the downstairs taps and flush toilets at the same time and that was the reason they didnt pick on it. Surely it is absolutely stupid as its testing nothing really.

Furts

Zales200483 wrote: »

When i inquired about water testing the for completion certificate manager stated that they open all the downstairs taps and flush toilets at the same time and that was the reason they didnt pick on it. Surely it is absolutely stupid as its testing nothing really.

For your sake, and all others owners on your development, I hope your Site Manager is not as clueless as this statement implies. But on reflection, considering what has happened so far ...

Running "a foul drain around the corner" is unacceptable without a means of access for rodding and inspection. But again, your Site Manager should know all about the rules, and good practice here! Or do they ... ?

Keepmoat are advertising for a Maintenance Operative in Hereford. This role is given a BS title, but the applicant is required to be polite, courteous, respectful and engage with the home owner. All entirely reasonable attributes. Why do your site personnel believe they can operate differently?

I have advised you to contact the Chief Exec. Perhaps you can now see a little more of my logic and reasoning for doing so?

Zales200483

Furts

The gully would ran for about 1.5 - 2 meters to manhole underground. Is it part of building regulations that it need to have access point for maintenance?

Furts

Zales200483 wrote: »

Furts

The gully would ran for about 1.5 - 2 meters to manhole underground. Is it part of building regulations that it need to have access point for maintenance?

It is a principle that all drainage is accessible for rodding, inspection and maintenance. The question then becomes how is this achieved?

Put matters in a different context. If you were going to lay a new drain to connect your kitchen, even a short length like 2 metres, you would need Buildings Regulations. You would need a design,(could be in your head - just a concept), you would need good practice and you would have an Inspection. You would then request a Completion Certificate.

It seems Keepmoat are not following this thought process, but here you are putty in their hands. You have never come back to the forum to say whether your development has ever received Buildings Regulations, nor Inspections, nor Completion, nor who has been doing this. Consequently I do not know what Keepmoat are up to on your development - maybe there is a general malaise there to avoid the Regulations?

Equally you have never come back on anything regarding a warranty - who is doing this? (NHBC?) Are they also doing the Buildings Regulations?(NHBC? Another Approved Inspector? Local Authority?)

You desperately need someone on your side for help, but with every day that passes you are failing to even address questions put on this forum! I sympathise with your situation and imagine you are getting somewhat stressed. But Keepmoat will also have weighed up your psyche and will be keen to bludgeon, or steam roll you into submission. It seems their current approach is one of arrogance, and indifference. But that could change, so be prepared for that.

Zales200483

I will be honest with you all i feel overwhelmed, i am trying to get my head around all of it.
I have not seen a Certificate of Completion, dont have a copy of it in my files.
HNBC is the warranty body.
I feel stuck and simply dont know where to go from there.
I believe that the issue was not investigated properly, a endoscopic camera should be used to inspect the affected drain and also all the airbricks that smells. That was not done. Obviously nothing was mentioned to me about planning permission for the drain alteration etc. Site manager was surprised when i told him that i dont want work to commence today as i still awaiting office to clarify few issues.
Clearly there is no communication here and i am not being taken seriously.
~it is the time to stay cool and focus but i need someone knowledgeable in my corner.
I am going to escalate this to the level of Chef Exec.

Furts

You have to protect your interests but remember you are playing with, or fighting against, the big boys now. Under no circumstances refuse the work being rectified. Hence any conversations with the Site Manager need careful tactics. But here you are being unwise anyway. You should not be having any discussions with the Site Manager. You are way above this level - the Site Manager runs the site and not your problems. By dealing direct with the Site Manager you are, effectively, in breach of your warranty.

There will be a clearly defined complaints/defects procedure within your purchase and you must follow this with minute attention to detail. If you do not you run the risk of everything getting thrown back at you. You also stand a real risk of Keepmoat walking away from your problems unless you tackle them in a calm, correct, professional manner.

betsie

Who signed off the building completion certificate - your local building control or the warranty provider? You need to contact which ever one it was and explain what's happened.

If your local authority are not involved you may be able to pay them to get involved and check over the property and make sure everything is resolved correctly according to current building regs.

Zales200483

It is funny how the mentioning of Head Office can speed things out. After sending detailed email explaining why i want to escalate my complaint to head office level, within an hour i had 2 managers phoning me.
The lead will be taken now by contacts manager who will be dealing with mine complaint.
Furts, you are fortune teller, at the beginning of the conversation the manager attempt to throw exactly this one at me claiming that they offer to do the work and i refused. I calmly explained that it is not the case and i just wasnt ready to allow work as i was promised full paper work beforehand and also had concerns about the investigation.
As it stands know, he is arranging a CCTV company to attend and have a look with endoscope camera into drains and into smelly air bricks to assess the situation. He will be present as well to supervise it. Then we gonna take it from there. Also he will prepare couple proposals in writing of how to deal with the issue.
At the moment i am taking one step at the time and will use the time to educate myself and prepare tactics so i am ready for next step.
I am aware that i need to give them opportunity to rectify the issues and it is a balancing act to get as much as i can but not to push to far.
Thank you all especially Furts for your words of wisdom

Furts

Be wary of, and be guarded on your comments to, the Contracts Manager. A generalisation here, but to give you an indication ...Contracts Managers are bruisers who bully the Site Managers into hitting handover targets. Quality goes down the pan in the pursuit of production bonus being paid to the Contracts Manager.

I have worked with some sound Contracts Managers, some were decent human beings, some had a knowledge of the construction industry, but others were outright chancers who had bullied and bullsh-tted their way into their roles.

If you get the latter type then expect to be fobbed off with nonsense and dis-interest.

However you could do the professional thing. When you have your introduction exchange business cards. Then look closely at the one you are receiving - are there any worthwhile, genuine professional membership grades for the Contracts Manager? Or are they unqualified, which in turn suggests they may be useless?

Zales200483

Duly noted, thanks