Change in specification

dan96

It's as if it's part of the structure. Plasterboard, painted, with a sliding door. No way we could remove it without having to re-skim, etc and I'm not sure the Housing Association will allow it.

dan96

I've made my frustrations clear about the kitchen cabinet colour but they don't care. I am in agreement, I would never buy a beige kitchen.

My solicitor says he will contact their solicitors today so let's see. It's a pretty big deal for me although most people here seem to think it's trivial.

ComicGeek

dan96 wrote: »

I've made my frustrations clear about the kitchen cabinet colour but they don't care. I am in agreement, I would never buy a beige kitchen.

My solicitor says he will contact their solicitors today so let's see. It's a pretty big deal for me although most people here seem to think it's trivial.

It would be fairly typical with Housing Association schemes for them to have their own specification that the developer follows, and this would differ from the normal marketing bumpf that the developer produces. Things like recessed spotlights and wardrobes are key upgrades that Housing Associations get the developer to throw in. They may also have a standard kitchen specification with set colours etc, that makes it easier for them to repair/replace etc at a later date - makes it easier for them rather than dealing with numerous different types.

So it would be worth checking with the Housing Association as well - it's not as clear cut as a private purchase directly with the developer. They generally have an Employer's Requirements (ER) document that sets all this out.

Doozergirl

dan96 wrote: »

It's as if it's part of the structure. Plasterboard, painted, with a sliding door. No way we could remove it without having to re-skim, etc and I'm not sure the Housing Association will allow it.

Maybe you should find out.

Would you have not bought the property if there were down lights and a fitted wardrobe?

I understand you're emotional about this. We're not though, we're just telling you the way it is, which is not what you want to hear.

If you buy a property that has not been built, it will not be the way that you imagine. And it will take longer than you can imagine.

We're building our own house and I had a tantrum when I specifically told someone where a wall was going and now I can't have the wall, or the entire bathroom now, the way I'd planned it meticulously a year before because a £3,000 piece of boring Vent Axia kit takes up 20cm more than it was supposed to. But it was over within minutes.

And I thought that being in for a Christmas 15 months away from breaking ground might be reasonable. It isn't. I literally don't know when we will be finished. I've got appliances I bought nearly 2 years ago that I can't remember what they look like and probably wouldn't choose now.

And I'm the project manager! Stuff happens, things change, money is an issue for all developments. If you can't raise it in time, nothing gets built.

If you don't want the risk of that stress then you can't buy a house that hasn't been built, otherwise you have to take it in your stride. The house is not bespoke, you have to remember, and things on site provoke changes.

Smodlet

Wow, Doozergirl. Is there no extractor fan on the market that will both fit and do the job? Wish you luck with the project; I am sure it will be a palace when finished.

OP, now do you see how easy it is for these things to happen? No-one is infallible, certainly not developers. The point of its being a housing association property is well-made.

AdrianC

A three grand extractor fan... <whimper>
(VentAxia do more than just extractor fans, so I suspect we're talking HVAC of some kind)

Doozergirl

AdrianC wrote: »

A three grand extractor fan... <whimper>
(VentAxia do more than just extractor fans, so I suspect we're talking HVAC of some kind)

MHRV, yes.

Not including the ducting or installation, and not the most joyful of bank transfers but the idea is that we reduce our carbon footprint (although not the footprint of the unit!) and the bills a bit.

Smodlet

Doozergirl wrote: »

MHRV, yes.

Not including the ducting or installation, and not the most joyful of bank transfers but the idea is that we reduce our carbon footprint (although not the footprint of the unit!) and the bills a bit.

... Whoosh...

We have solar panels, honest!

ComicGeek

Doozergirl wrote: »

MHRV, yes.

Not including the ducting or installation, and not the most joyful of bank transfers but the idea is that we reduce our carbon footprint (although not the footprint of the unit!) and the bills a bit.

Oh dear! Who sold you that line! I don't have a problem with MVHR for air quality or noise reduction issues, but it's not going to reduce your bills.

Doozergirl

ComicGeek wrote: »

Oh dear! Who sold you that line! I don't have a problem with MVHR for air quality or noise reduction issues, but it's not going to reduce your bills.

This thread isn't supposed to be about me...

No one fed me a line. It's an airtight SIPs house with 210mm of insulation in just the walls so we shouldn't be burning that much in the first place. The ventilation needs to be managed properly though or it will get soggy very quickly!