Buying off-plan - specification and finishes different to what advertised

RBUK

Hello,

We've recently received a mortgage offer and are in position to exchange contracts on a property we reserved off-plan a few months ago. The building is now completed and during a recent visit to the site we discovered that the finishes in both bathrooms vary from those presented in the show flat and the development pack, which specifies fixtures, finishes and fittings to specific brands and models. The tiles used in the bathrooms are of a similar style, but the quality is visibly inferior and makes the bathrooms look cheap. Additionally, we were repeatedly promised that all appliances in the kitchen will be Bosch. This is not the case. Although the hob, oven and dishwasher are made by Bosch, the fridge freezer and the washer dryer are both of cheaper, inferior brands. What makes it even more odd is that some of the other flats come with the same appliances as the ones in the flat reserved by us, but there are other flats where in fact all of the appliances are made by Bosch.

Is this something worth kicking up a fuss about and if so, what's the best way of approaching the issue? I would imagine the developer will argue that, although they are not using the specific appliances and tiles advertised by the estate agent and made available in the development pack through the solicitor, they are in fact using similar enough alternatives. However, we don't appreciate the lack of transparency about this and only found out about these issues through our own channels.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts on this,

RBUK

Thrugelmir

Could be down to issues of supply. Been major issues with imported goods with much manufacturing impacted due to Covid. The contract will have a get out clause for the developer. 

AdrianC

Bet there's caveats in the spec about availability.

Of course you can try and kick up a fuss - especially on the washer and fridge, they may just swap them over. The bathroom tiles are a much bigger job, of course.

RBUK

Thanks both.

Thrugelmir, no doubt we will hear that as the excuse. However, I've seen the very tiles promised by the developer, widely available and in stock. Same for the appliances. Seems like cutting corners wherever possible.

Adrian, that's what we're thinking. Of course, it's maybe a tiny bump in the process, but shows the lack of communication and clarity throughout - it all adds up and really leaves a bad taste in your mouth when it comes to completing with a developer who missed so many chances to be upfront and honest about what's going on with the development and why.

AdrianC

You are one of hundreds, probably thousands, of customers to them - at a time when their business is facing huge staffing and supplies challenges.

This flat is everything to you.

If you want absolute control over, and knowledge of, what you're buying - don't buy offplan.

GDB2222

If it's not finished as you expected, and that's important to you, decline to buy it. Or ask for a price reduction. 

RelievedSheff

You will find somewhere in your reservation pack a clause that states that finishes and specifications may vary from those in the show home.

If you have signed the paperwork you have agreed to that clause.

RBUK

RelievedSheff said:

You will find somewhere in your reservation pack a clause that states that finishes and specifications may vary from those in the show home.

If you have signed the paperwork you have agreed to that clause.

Thanks for this. No clause about the finishes in the reservation pack! The estate agent was convincing us as recently as last week the appliances are all Bosch and finishes in the bathrooms exactly as presented in the show flat.

RelievedSheff

It isn't what they say that matters. It is what is written in the contracts that you sign.

GDB2222

Apart from a reservation that the OP can walk away from, is there a contract?

OldMusicGuy

We recently bought a new build and there were issues getting some of the Bosh appliances (none in the country apparently although we were able to find some online....). However, our developer said they would put in temporary appliances and replace them with Bosch once they could get them. As it turned out, they were able to get the Bosch appliances before we moved in.

Changes to spec and fittings are to be expected and they will have a get out clause for that. There is a big shortage of some items right now, apparently some of the houses on our development are being held up due to lack of shower trays. However, the electrical appliances are important and this will have been emphasized in the sale. I would complain to the Sales Director in the first instance and escalate it up the chain if they won't play ball. Say that you understand there may have been availability issues at the time but you want them replaced with Bosch as was clearly indicated in the sales material (and I assume in discussions with the sales staff). At the very least demand some kind of monetary compensation so that you can buy and fit Bosch appliances.