New build – developer refusing to replace substandard kitchen hob

voxyn

Hi all!

A few months ago I finally bought my first home, a new-build flat in a small apartment block. Overall it's been going very well, but I was hoping to get some advice on a dispute I'm having with the developer about the kitchen hob they've fitted.

For some reason, they chose to select the "low-power" model for the induction hob. This means there is limited power supply to the system. I can only operate it with either: 1x ring on maximum heat, -or- 2x rings on medium heat, -or- 4x rings on low heat. Low heat is effectively pointless – it takes over 20 minutes to heat a pan of water at this temperature.

To me, it is inadequate for any new build flat to have a hob crippled in this way. And, in practice, this has demonstrably hindered my cooking since I have moved in.

I have politely complained to the developer, but after a few months of persistent correspondence they're flatly refusing to change it. Their position is that the unit is working as they intended, and that changing the hob is a matter of my own personal preference, not their responsibility.

I feel at this point I need to bring something new to my complaint with them rather than pursue the same back-and-forth.

Any advice appreciated!

SpiderLegs

voxyn wrote: »

I have politely complained to the developer, but after a few months of persistent correspondence they're flatly refusing to change it. Their position is that the unit is working as they intended, and that changing the hob is a matter of my own personal preference, not their responsibility.

I am in complete agreement with the developer on this.

davidmcn

Unless it's different from the specification in your contract, I can't see you've got any rights here. Just change the hob yourself.

rachel230

If it`s not fit for purpose i.e. not doing the job it is meant to do, then you are entitled to have it changed.
Check with your neighbours. Do they have the same type? How do they find it?

AnotherJoe

Is the "some reason" for this hob, that the wiring to the hob isn't designed to carry more current so you couldn't simply swap the hob out?

Homersimpson

Welcome to the world of Developers.

I used to do work for one of the large developers and one of their project managers told me:

We will do the minimum to meet out contractual obligations and liabilities (this is a direct quote).

Unless they made specific promises about the hob (which I very much doubt) they have met their contractual obligations and liabilites by providing a hob. The fact its about as much use as an ashtray on a motorcycle won't enter into it (sadly).

The best bet is to have it changed yourself and move on or dig in for the long haul. Even then they are unlikely to budge unless there are other houses/units to sell and you have a sign in your window along the lines of don't buy till you have spoken to me about the unresolved problems I have.

G_M

Is the problem the hob, or the electrical supply to the hob?


If it is the hob, then what was the specification of the hob that you agreed to? Does the hob match what is in the contract? If yes, you have no claim.



On the other hand, if the electrical supply from the consumer unit to the kitchen is insufficient for a hob with greater electrical demands, then I would keep pressing for improvemet.

AnotherJoe

G_M wrote: »

Is the problem the hob, or the electrical supply to the hob?
If it is the hob, then what was the specification of the hob that you agreed to? Does the hob match what is in the contract? If yes, you have no claim.
On the other hand, if the electrical supply from the consumer unit to the kitchen is insufficient for a hob with greater electrical demands, then I would keep pressing for improvemet.

The latter will be horrendously costly and disruptive to change.and if it wasn't specified what should be installed OP is looking to have no case to change.

zoob

You need to check if the hob is wired into a cooker supply or running of a 13amp plug
If running of a 13 amp plug circuit your getting the best preformance able to get, if wired to a proper cooker circuit then the hobs being wired in incorrectly and just needs a minor tweak to work at full power

[Deleted User]

Hobs aren't that expensive. I suspect it isn't worth the stress of arguing with a developer about this for years. It always amazes me what developers get away with when supplying white goods.

But also worth checking the model of the hob and seeing if it is doing what it is supposed to do reading the other comments about possible wiring problems.

Doozergirl

I think the new angle has to be the wiring. It's inconceivable to me that any hob isn't designed to work correctly, even if it's at the budget end of the market. Surely it's to do with the wiring.