New build Completion - what you sign this disclaimer?

Natisco86

Hi all, 
First lengthy post. Was chilled but now losing hair over this house purchase.

I exchanged contact on an off plan build in mid March with anticipated completion of 17th June and 6 month long stop (roof wasn’t on).

Sales Exec said (off the record) they’ll push for June due to half year-end but might slip to July. It did slip and now Developers are working towards end of July completion date.

I received an update last week that there’s a ‘fly in the ointment!’ 
The garage door has not arrived and they can’t get sign off from NHBC without one, which I understand. The thing that got my back up was that the sales exec dropped in an email that the door has been on order since January!! Why was I not told earlier? Long story short I asked for a plan B. 

Their response is as follows: 

“We can fit a temporary garage door but we would require you to sign a disclaimer. Please be assured that there will be a door of some sort and not left open if you were to complete at the end of July.

With this in mind, would you be willing to sign a disclaimer?  If it is something you are not willing to do, that will not be a problem - it will just put back legal completion until 2 weeks after the actual Garage door has been fitted.”

What would you do? Would you go ahead and complete?

Thanks for your help.

TadleyBaggie

Is there a door from the garage to the house?

Slithery

Natisco86 said:

The thing that got my back up was that the sales exec dropped in an email that the door has been on order since January!! Why was I not told earlier?

Perhaps the developer has only just been told that the delivery is delayed?
I doubt that they've done this just to annoy you.

Natisco86

TadleyBaggie said:

Is there a door from the garage to the house?

Yes there is a personnel door that’s been fitted to the house. 

I’m a first time buyer so still learning 😅

Natisco86

Slithery said:

Natisco86 said:

The thing that got my back up was that the sales exec dropped in an email that the door has been on order since January!! Why was I not told earlier?

Perhaps the developer has only just been told that the delivery is delayed?
I doubt that they've done this just to annoy you.

I did think about this but honestly their comms since exchange (and as expected) has been poor. 

I’ve been chilled until now, but need to move to get an address to get schools sorted etc.

koalakoala

I wouldn’t sign anything

BikingBud

Is it a special fit door?

How many houses on the project?

When are the others due completion?

Why have they not prioritised your house?

How much to get an independent to come and fit, can they do it immediately upon completion?

If an independent can come and fit a door then I would seek a reduction on your purchase price to cover the cost + a management fee of 25% for your effort.

Should be easy enough to work that into a waiver.

user1977

BikingBud said:

Is it a special fit door?

How many houses on the project?

When are the others due completion?

Why have they not prioritised your house?

How much to get an independent to come and fit, can they do it immediately upon completion?

If an independent can come and fit a door then I would seek a reduction on your purchase price to cover the cost + a management fee of 25% for your effort.

I presume the problem is in getting doors supplied rather than the labour (think we've had a similar thread recently about a newbuild garage door?) - so I doubt independent suppliers will have any better supply chains, especially if not from a standing start.

flashg67

I'd be wary - not sure your mortgage provider would like it having no sign off - they might not even let the sale complete, or an insurance company cover youif anything was stored there etc. What are they asking you to sign exactly?

[Deleted User]

This might be a great opportunity. Chances are the garage is useless to actually store a car in. Most new build ones are too narrow to actually open the doors to get out. So you would be better off having another room, which can be a study or kids room or another bedroom.

You could suggest they install a wall and window instead, and properly finish it.

user1977

flashg67 said:

I'd be wary - not sure your mortgage provider would like it having no sign off - they might not even let the sale complete, or an insurance company cover youif anything was stored there etc. What are they asking you to sign exactly?

I presume (though OP may wish to clarify) that the temporary door is all that is required for NHBC sign-off - the developers will know it's a non-starter to try completing the sale without sign-off.

Not sure insurance cover for stuff in garages is going to be all that good anyway even with the "proper" door.