New build demonstration query

GrumpyFTB

I've reserved a new build which is due to be finished soon (already delayed slightly

Everything so far has been done on a Saturday due to work commitments.

I'm now coming to an extremely busy time at work but the developer has stated that I must do the demonstration and handover with the site manager and sales staff midweek, during their office hours.

The site manager works 8-4 Monday - Friday and the sales staff work Thursday - Monday 11-5.30 so it doesn't give me many options.

The developer is refusing to accommodate this demonstration outwith these hours, and is also refusing to tell me what the handover date/entry date is likely to be.

With these issues, I'm inclined to just walk away. I've not spoken to the site manager, just the sales staff, who are beyond rude.

Do I have any options in this or is it a case of suck it up and pander to them? I've offered evenings Monday - Friday, or weekend daytime but they've refused everything.

Do I need this demonstration? I've asked and they keep contradicting themselves as to who needs to be there and whether it's even needed.

Thanks

jennhg88

It's quite normal for the home demos to be during the week in site managers working hours.
Yes it is important and will make your first few weeks in your home easier for you.


It should only take an hour, could you arrange something for first thing or last thing and work around it?

Hannah2

From previous experience you want to keep a good relationship with the site manager... it is worth keeping them friendly. They will be the way to get things sorted once you move in. They can either be helpful, or obstructive..... You will also find that a lot of the snagging repair work will only be able to be done during working hours too, so you may need to take time off for that. Might be worth speaking to the site manager to see how flexible things are?

System

Yes, the above is usual. Having just moved into a new build, it is only after moving in, that I wished that I had had more time to look around the property. For example, our heating system has three thermostats/ timers. Two are the same but one is very different although it appeared to be the same. Guess which instruction manual we didn't get? That was easy to solve.

Less easy to solve were the electricity and gas suppliers. Gas was via an IGT and electricity was via Scottish Power. Scottish Power was the Deemed Supplier for both. Speaking to Sp about a month before we moved in, they said it would take about 3 months to set up an online account. During this time, we would have to remain on the expensive standard variable tariff. I have got round this but I needed some important information that I got when we looked around the property before completion. I got the MPAN and MPRNs and I was able to take photographs of the meter serial numbers. Checking the National databases I was able to ascertain that the MPAn has been allocated to my Plot No (6) but listed as '6' postal address, and both listings had an incorrect postcode. We also found out the the incorrect electricity serial number had been allocated to our address. We had the meter serial number for Plot 14 listed against our postal address. Similarly, we had Certificates of Compliance which had been lodged with 6 as our address when it is 14. Is this important? Yes: trying selling a house with incorrect Compliance Certificates.

And finally, having ascertained from the builder that all the ducting for broadband and a telephone line had been signed off by Openreach: Openreach disagreed. In the event, in took us 4 weeks to get broadband installed.

My advice. Do what needs to be done; take your time and whilst admiring the new kitchen cupboards look for the elephant traps that the Developer has left behind for the unwary.

Finally, this was our 6th new build and we still got things wrong. Fortunately, our Developer has sorted out most of the issues pretty quickly.

GrumpyFTB

Thanks for your comments above.

Unfortunately there's absolutely no way I can take time off between now and December. So, even though I explained that I'm working quite a bit just now and only available at weekends this seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
I've never spoken to or seen the Site Manager, and as yet I've not been in the property, only the showhome.
I've heard of people getting things done at around 4 weeks before moving in, potentially I'm at 9 days until it's habitable, still no entry date and I'm not getting anything from sales.

I'm actually at the point where I just want to pull out.

parkrunner

GrumpyFTB wrote: »

Thanks for your comments above.

Unfortunately there's absolutely no way I can take time off between now and December. So, even though I explained that I'm working quite a bit just now and only available at weekends this seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
I've never spoken to or seen the Site Manager, and as yet I've not been in the property, only the showhome.
I've heard of people getting things done at around 4 weeks before moving in, potentially I'm at 9 days until it's habitable, still no entry date and I'm not getting anything from sales.

I'm actually at the point where I just want to pull out.

If neither side is prepared to change then that's what you'll have to do.

Doozergirl

I'd think about getting a new job, personally, if they're that ownerous over your time.

It's been pointed out that you need to do it for your own benefit and yet you're not even bothered about it. Perhaps it's your mindset that needs a little bit of a pep-up. Most people would be excited.

You can't be flexible, they can't either. To be fair, it's a job to them (the site manager doesn't get commission on your sale) but that's your future home. You're prioritising your job over your new home - they're prioritising their life over their job.

Not sure how you're going to pull out over something so trivial - surely you've exchanged if you're having home demos?

System

parkrunner wrote: »

If neither side is prepared to change then that's what you'll have to do.

At what cost £?

parkrunner

Hengus wrote: »

At what cost £?

That's up to the OP.

System

parkrunner wrote: »

That's up to the OP.

For my recent purchase, I paid a £1000 reservation fee and 10% on exchange of contracts. In the OP's circumstances, it would have cost me considerably less to engage the services of a Chartered Surveyor to look around the property for me than to walk away.

I can also think of a few friends that would have done it for me for the price of a good bottle of wine or meal.

All I am pointing out is that actions may have consequences but, as you say, this is one for the OP to ponder on.

oystercatcher

Can you authorise someone else to do handover for you ?