New build differs to brochure

diystarter7

GixerKate said:

Have you exchanged? what do the plans show?  I'm having trouble visualising this if I'm honest so an upload of plans, diagrams etc would be very helpful.  New builds or any house for that matter can be different to the brochure, its the plans that are key.

Hiya

I recall goinng to see a vouple of 'show houses' with a member of our family on private estates.  They looked the business and had a lot of space around it and were actually the biggest detached houses on the plot and the smaller ones had similar layouts.
It can get very confusing and as they live close buy, the made sure what was were and ordered a few additons, ie orangery, and more units in the kitchen as the show house was fully kitted and high end items but the standard prices for the similar detached place had mid range kitchen items, a lot less worktops, no iskand and wood worktop in place of granite etc. So you have to be very careful. The price climed quiet a bit but they were happy there and sold on about ten years later aftet they did a self build.

Enjoy your weekend

diystarter7

jonnym1985 said:

Solicitor is now looking into it for a clause re above wiggle room comment. He did say that there will likely be something to say changes can be made but in his view this is regarding materials, finishes, etc and would have to be of an equal standard.

He is going to check and speak to us on Monday as his view is removing windows would constitute a substantial change that we would legally need to be made aware of.

Thanks for the replies, we will see what our solicitor and the developer come back with on Monday. They have made early indications that if they made the mistake they will fix it - whether putting the windows in may be feasible or not we shall see. It is looking more positive than we first thought.

Thanks

Good luck, and keep us posted.

jonnym1985

diystarter7 said:

jonnym1985 said:

ProDave said:

"The living room advertised in the brochure had 2 more windows (on the gable wall) meaning the fireplace was on a different wall (the one adjoining kitchen)
.......
Well, today we now have a room with only 2 windows and the fireplace moved to where we requested….but had we known the windows were not being built the fireplace would have been positioned there as per most normal 3 bed houses (I hope you can visualise this)"

Forgive my confusion.

On first inspection there were 2 more windows than you expected, meaning they moved the fireplace.

Then on next inspection there were only 2 windows.  So I assume they bricked up 1 or more windows.  Did they think that was what you wanted, the original number of windows where the plan says?

This highlights the importance of clear communication.  Something which your original post did not show a natural talent in.

Thank you for taking the time to be unnecessarily rude, appreciate the help. Many thanks 

Hi OP

When I read your comments as above, I thought you were being rude and this was confirmed as I read the other poster's post, that is until I got to the last paragraph. There were no need for those comments  ie last paragraph and could have easily been phrased more politely

Rest assured there are many informed/polite posters around inc me that will try to help. However, you may still find some comments unhelpful/condescending etc.  However, this is a good site and I noted a handful of really well-informed posts that can often help

I hope you find my question helpful. Did you ask why that happened and what they can do at no extra cost to remedy this? If so what was their response?

This is on the whole a nice/friendly site and personally, I just ignore those that I want to for various reasons


Take care, enjoy your weekend

Thank you for this. The last we heard from the estate agent at 4pm was that they informed the developer of the situation, including all their brochures and advertising posters being technically incorrect. The developer was apologetic and said if the mistake is on them they will fix it, however there was no mention of how. The developer is ringing us on Monday to speak to us personally, so we will see if this can be resolved both amicably and quickly, as completion day is scheduled for 23rd February and our current tenancy ends on 1st March.

As I said, I probably panicked a little too much and came here ranting like a lunatic, but it is a lot of money at stake plus the time constraints. If the lounge was always going to be like the second picture there would be no issue at all, it is the fact alterations were made so it was a double shock seeing our lounge for the first time.

Our solicitor informed us they’re a reputable developer and do their best to solve things….I suppose it’s going to boil down to time and money.

thanks for the reply and have a good weekend also

jonnym1985

comeandgo said:

You can ask for something but the brochure is not what you go by.  Our brochure had a sports car in the driveway.  Did you not see the actual drawings, plans of your property?  Did you ask for them?  If you have not exchanged and you do not like the property would the developer have something you do like and you could buy it instead?  

Unfortunately not an option as we have put in upgrades including cabling under the garden for a garden room

MattMattMattUK

jonnym1985 said:

comeandgo said:

You can ask for something but the brochure is not what you go by.  Our brochure had a sports car in the driveway.  Did you not see the actual drawings, plans of your property?  Did you ask for them?  If you have not exchanged and you do not like the property would the developer have something you do like and you could buy it instead?  

Unfortunately not an option as we have put in upgrades including cabling under the garden for a garden room

Did you see plans rather than the brochure before you signed off and exchanged? Normally one would be supplied with specific plans for the property and plot before exchange, if you received those what do they show in terms of the windows?

mi-key

I actually prefer having just the windows on the front. I don't imagine the view is anything that good from the sides ones if they were there? and windows on the front makes more sense unless you are on a large plot with nice gardens or views around you.

I dont imagine they would consider putting the windows in, and if they did this would  be a lot of work and delay you moving in, so probably not an option. 

diystarter7

jonnym1985 said:

diystarter7 said:

jonnym1985 said:

ProDave said:

"The living room advertised in the brochure had 2 more windows (on the gable wall) meaning the fireplace was on a different wall (the one adjoining kitchen)
.......
Well, today we now have a room with only 2 windows and the fireplace moved to where we requested….but had we known the windows were not being built the fireplace would have been positioned there as per most normal 3 bed houses (I hope you can visualise this)"

Forgive my confusion.

On first inspection there were 2 more windows than you expected, meaning they moved the fireplace.

Then on next inspection there were only 2 windows.  So I assume they bricked up 1 or more windows.  Did they think that was what you wanted, the original number of windows where the plan says?

This highlights the importance of clear communication.  Something which your original post did not show a natural talent in.

Thank you for taking the time to be unnecessarily rude, appreciate the help. Many thanks 

Hi OP

When I read your comments as above, I thought you were being rude and this was confirmed as I read the other poster's post, that is until I got to the last paragraph. There were no need for those comments  ie last paragraph and could have easily been phrased more politely

Rest assured there are many informed/polite posters around inc me that will try to help. However, you may still find some comments unhelpful/condescending etc.  However, this is a good site and I noted a handful of really well-informed posts that can often help

I hope you find my question helpful. Did you ask why that happened and what they can do at no extra cost to remedy this? If so what was their response?

This is on the whole a nice/friendly site and personally, I just ignore those that I want to for various reasons


Take care, enjoy your weekend

Thank you for this. The last we heard from the estate agent at 4pm was that they informed the developer of the situation, including all their brochures and advertising posters being technically incorrect. The developer was apologetic and said if the mistake is on them they will fix it, however there was no mention of how. The developer is ringing us on Monday to speak to us personally, so we will see if this can be resolved both amicably and quickly, as completion day is scheduled for 23rd February and our current tenancy ends on 1st March.

As I said, I probably panicked a little too much and came here ranting like a lunatic, but it is a lot of money at stake plus the time constraints. If the lounge was always going to be like the second picture there would be no issue at all, it is the fact alterations were made so it was a double shock seeing our lounge for the first time.

Our solicitor informed us they’re a reputable developer and do their best to solve things….I suppose it’s going to boil down to time and money.

thanks for the reply and have a good weekend also

Thank you 
That is good news indeed

RelievedSheff

mi-key said:

I actually prefer having just the windows on the front. I don't imagine the view is anything that good from the sides ones if they were there? and windows on the front makes more sense unless you are on a large plot with nice gardens or views around you.

I dont imagine they would consider putting the windows in, and if they did this would  be a lot of work and delay you moving in, so probably not an option. 

It may not be possible to put the windows in depending on the plot. If it's overlooking a neighbouring property there may well be a planning condition to say those windows are omitted.

For what it is worth our lounge has windows on the front and the side and it's a pain. Far too much light on the TV screen.

diystarter7

RelievedSheff said:

mi-key said:

I actually prefer having just the windows on the front. I don't imagine the view is anything that good from the sides ones if they were there? and windows on the front makes more sense unless you are on a large plot with nice gardens or views around you.

I dont imagine they would consider putting the windows in, and if they did this would  be a lot of work and delay you moving in, so probably not an option. 

It may not be possible to put the windows in depending on the plot. If it's overlooking a neighbouring property there may well be a planning condition to say those windows are omitted.

For what it is worth our lounge has windows on the front and the side and it's a pain. Far too much light on the TV screen.

Hi
Highlighted bit.
We recently changed our TV, main tv, its a big boy over 70 inches and its OLED.
We have a south-facing lounge, floor to ceiling windows, no blinds and tv gets a lot of sun on it 
at certain time of the day. The old tv was quite big and a flagship Sony but around 7+ years old and you could not see it
unless we decided to open the awning

However, anyone thinking of a new house, lots of sun on tiv, these  OLED tvs, we have a sony - trust me the picture is still pretty good where as we could hardly see the old tv

Thanks

[Deleted User]

RelievedSheff said:

mi-key said:

I actually prefer having just the windows on the front. I don't imagine the view is anything that good from the sides ones if they were there? and windows on the front makes more sense unless you are on a large plot with nice gardens or views around you.

I dont imagine they would consider putting the windows in, and if they did this would  be a lot of work and delay you moving in, so probably not an option. 

It may not be possible to put the windows in depending on the plot. If it's overlooking a neighbouring property there may well be a planning condition to say those windows are omitted.

For what it is worth our lounge has windows on the front and the side and it's a pain. Far too much light on the TV screen.

Easily solved with decent perimeter privacy features, but for some reason people like to stare at other people's houses in the UK so that are often not allowed.