New Build - Builder wont fix defects

StuieUK34

Hi all,
Looking for info on what you guys would do if you were in this situation. (am collecting info, thats all...)

We bought a New build house end of March this year, from a well known 2* builder, that being:   Bellway.

Before we even moved in, infact, signed for the house, it was noted that the sink/worktop was damaged and was told it would be resolved before we moved in.
Along with many other snags and so on, these were listed and given to the builder to resolve, although allowing for 3 months of no fixes due to covid (so July should have been the fix month).  The simple things like painting the walls, sanding the doors down so they close were resolved in July, but the bigger issues remain...
On the sink/worktop issue, rather than fix it, a bodge job was attempted, leaving a warped sink and a nice chip/gash in the worktop. (not nice !!)

September, the construction manager pays a visit to ask what issues are outstanding, of which we point out the kitchen issue, along with a crumbled drive bay (and easement/shared access driveway), missing mortor, loose window handles, etc etc...
We get told these will be resolved asap, as the site were on is near completion (supposed to finish end of Oct)...

Its now 1 day before december, and nothing has changed on the above. 
sub-contractors came about the drive bay 1 week ago, but instead of fixing it (resurface), made it worse by using our drive as a turniing point for there machines!  they did a poor job of re-laying the easement part, and in the process, battered our lighting on front lawn, along with cracking the drainage grates
Construction manager & site manager came to see us 5 days ago, to have the same conversation as we had in September, only to hear the same BS that:
Bellway is a 5* builder, we can do what we like , not have to repair nothing if we dont want to, etc etc etc etc..

So, in short, we bought a house, it has snag/defect issues, builder wont fix them as cant be bothered.
I raised a formal complaint, it got an email response (sink issue), but only to acknoweldge they messed up.
I raised a 2nd complaint about double trashing our drive, of which has been ignored      , as thats what 5* builders do i believe.

Also, all the other residents who moved in prior to us / after us, were all given the normal process of 1st time / new build buying.
IE:  List your snags, they get fixed asap, and you as a customer "Sign off" on your house to say your happy, and then your in your warranty period with the builder for 2years (and report snags as u go along that appear, etc)...
Bellway acknowledge they havent given us the option to sign off on our house and that were the only ones who seem to have fallen through the cracks...

Unlike a car which you can take back to a dealer to say "serve as New", i believe there are no laws around houses, so if you a crap house with issues, tough luck ?
I havent called in a snagging firm to look for more issues (which i am sure there will be to the trained eye) as i am worried i would be spending money on a report which the builder just wont fix, if there is no law that requires them to do so..   
Wish i knew some reporters who like to do articles on crap house builders. (crap for our site, not all developments) , whether that would help me or not!

Curious as to what you guys would do to try and get some movement on stuff, as we are like 8 months into ownership

withaspritz

That 5 star rating is reviewed annually based on a survey of completions by the HBF, so if you get the survey, mark them accordingly low and if enough of you do, they might lose a star next year.

Remind them of their obligations to fix snags in the meantime, and copy in higher management at the regional office (should be detailed on your paperwork which regional office is your development's) advising them you are not happy and would not consider them to be worthy of 5 stars.

theartfullodger

Have you followed all advice and actions recommended here please???

https://consumercode.co.uk/

- if not, do so I 'umbly suggest

StuieUK34

theartfullodger said:

https://consumercode.co.uk/

Didnt know of this site, gonna have a dam good read now, thank you
And cheers spritz, will look into that too..

StuieUK34

Ok, read into the Consumer Code about the process of buying a new build.

It basically says to follow the complaints process, which is to complain to the builder customer services, then to the manager, then to the construct director, then to the regional MD, then to the group customer manager.
5 different people to write to for each one beforehand that doesnt respond/acknowledge.

What i also have in writing is, although they acknowledge defects in the New Build, they dont have to give a timescale when to resolve..
So the fact we are 8+ months into ownership of snags/defects that were listed before we moved in,  am guessing that means a builder can fix an issue at the end of the 2yr warranty they provide ?

Cant find nothing in the consumer code that states who you can goto to get a resolution, although it does mention a dispute email address, which is managed by people who are paid by the builders ???  erm, bias ????

Unsure where to turn

NameUnavailable

I would look at issuing a small claims action for the costs of having the repairs done by a competent builder.