New Home Owners And Snagging Forum

Advice on buying a brand new home => House Builders => Bloor Homes => Topic started by: Bri on November 10, 2017, 11:51:09 pm

Title: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on November 10, 2017, 11:51:09 pm
I was living in rented accommodation where the lease was coming to an end and decided I wanted to buy somewhere. Couldn't find anything I liked until I came across a Bloor development. At this time I only had 6 weeks or so to move.

Looked around the show house and was told it was up for sale. I paid the deposit there and then. I went back to the property numerous times with my partner, to fill in forms etc and to check the house out. I pointed out numerous defects with the house. Cracked render, dirty stains on the render, rain damage on render due to moss on roof, cracked floor tiles, etc.

The sales team of two showed us around the house on numerous occasions to which I pointed out the various faults and they said all these faults will be repaired, the render will be cleaned and cracks repaired. If anything was missed, simply add it to ten day snaglist.

I asked why on the order form it said sold as seen. Sales girl answered with, that only applies to the kitchen goods, i.e. Fridge, cooker etc which are out of warranty, therefore they are sold as seen.

Moved in and none of these had been fixed.

First day of moving in, sales guy said just add these to snagging list. I had no reason not to believe/trust them. On the first day the roof was leaking and a roofer had to come and sort it. This damaged the paintwork and ceiling, they simply applied some filler and painted over the water stains leaving the wall different shades.

Second day, the boiler broke down with a leak, it took over a week for them to fix it.

First week, en suite bathroom sink had a crack in plug hole causing water to leak and come through landing ceiling. Again a quick fix of paint applied and the plug hole replaced after a week.

All the plants in garden dying as they chopped roots off and other stuff. Eventually got this sorted after months of emailing them

They jet washed new build house next door (red bricks) all the red dust covered my garden and house(my house is white render)

Brickwork on walls falling apart as cement mix was mainly sand, eventually got this repaired.

Asked when they would replace cracked floor tiles. This is when they used the sold as seen on me. They say the house was a show home and sold as seen. The tiles are cosmetic, therefor not their problem and they informed me the tiles are discontinued which I later found out they knew this when selling me the house.  I pointed these cracked tiles when viewing and they agreed to replace but not in writing.

Roof began to leak again. It's a pent roof with a walkway. Roofers came and replaced most of the pent roof, tiles etc. they also replaced lead flashing that was not attached to wall, letting rain water run inside. This has caused internal crack in bedroom and damaged paintwork. The leak on front has caused damage to paintwork and ceiling. I have been given a time slot of 2 months from now for them to come and paint.

The gulley/walkway on my roof has puddles of water 7 foot long and half inch deep that has no where to go because the exit point to drainpipe is higher than the roof.  Before roof was repaired this water was a big pile of moss and debris. When it rained enough, it would reach over the lip and run down the back of drainpipes staining the wall black and green. This was caused by the box at top of drainpipe having a half inch gap from roof, so the water never went into drainpipe.

Now Bloor are saying the puddles of water aren't a problem or build defect. The render has 3 X 6-7 foot long cracks just appeared high up on the building. They are saying these aren't issues unless the cracks are 4mm wide or more. Well the cracks are 50 foot up the building, so I can't measure them and they aren't sending anyone to check.

The render cracks that they supposedly repaired on bottom of house by putting a little filler over have widened and the render is now loose from the wall. Again, they are trying to say this is not a build defect, but sold as seen. I can see the dampness surrounding these cracks caused by water getting in.

My boiler is still faulty, had them out at least a dozen times within my first six months. It's not working correctly right now, makes a really loud banging noise and switches itself off. Over two weeks now and no one been out to see it.

My advice to anyone would be don't buy a house from Bloor. They are a bunch of liars and do shoddy house building. There are multiple people on this estate having problems. One guy has had practically his whole house redone from joists to the bathroom sinks.

Never trust a Bloor sales person. They lie to get a sale.

Also, because I was in a rush, I used their solicitor. This solicitor does not want to know. My Neighbour's downpipe for garage goes into my garden and this was never mentioned by solicitor. I can't see it on plan either. Should Bloor remove this?

Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: New Home Expert on November 11, 2017, 09:38:25 am
What a way to treat a customer.

Everyone reading this should realise this is their showhome, and it had all these defects!
How many times and opportunities did they have to carry out remedial works and repairs?
This was after represented their quality, (or rather lack of it).

All of the issues you mention should and must be sorted out under the warranty.
Yes a showhouse is "sold as seen".  This applies to carpets, curtains, appliances, shrinkage cracks marks on walls, the gardens etc. You are in effect buying a second-hand home but with a warranty.

But serious defects such as those you mention must be attended to.

It is disgraceful that Bloor should adopt such a dismissive attitude to their defective product.

The neighbours RWP in your garden could be re routed to the other end of the guttering. I would check that it is actually connected to drainage pipes under the surface as "not shown on the plans" would indicate it may not be!

If you need a solicitor to take this further, contact Timothy Waitt twx@anthonygold.co.uk at Anthony Gold 020 7940 4090

 The advantages and disadvantages of buying the showhome (http://www.new-home-blog.co.uk/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-buying-a-show-home/)
 

Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on February 13, 2018, 09:07:32 am
I`ll update shortly with all the issues I`ve had and the ones that are still ongoing.
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on March 10, 2018, 10:14:06 pm
Apologies for the late reply. So much going on.

LABC have been out to inspect my house. Received their report two weeks ago which confirms my faults are building faults that Bloor homes need to fix. Haven't heard from Bloor as of yet. They did come to paint my inside walls and fix creaking floorboards and stairs. The stairs are worse now, the paint in two rooms cracked and split the following day. This was 6 weeks ago, still waiting for them to come back and fix again.

Here are a few pictures showing the water that pools on my roof because the exit lip is higher than the roof, the decking and paving which is higher than the DPC causing rising damp,staining and render cracks, plus the staining from roof parapit everytimeeverytime it rains. The staining is disgusting, the house looks filthy.
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on March 10, 2018, 10:17:36 pm
I forgot to mention. Bloor homes lied to LABC saying that I got a reduced price on my purchase because of the faults (sold as seen)

My solicitor, which is the one they recommended has confirmed I never got a reduced price because of faults and as far as they were aware I was buying a house sold as new, not full of faults.

Bloor will try any trick to avoid fixing their faults.
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: New Home Expert on March 12, 2018, 10:19:48 am
It is acceptable to sell the old show house "as seen"  because it might have scratches and marks on walls which would require a complete re decoration. Show homes are NEVER sold at a discount because they always include curtains, extras, a landscaped rear garden and often a burglar alarm. 
You pay more for an older house!

It is not acceptable for any housebuilder to suggest that sold as seen means it can have defects that do not meet warranty or building regulation standards.
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on March 15, 2019, 01:24:36 pm
Well, another year has passed since LABC instructed Bloor Homes to repair my render and lower the ground levels to conform with DPC building regulations.

The whole of Summer 2018 was wasted. Couldn`t use the garden or open the windows as scaffolding up all Summer to repair the roof for the second time. Dust and debris everywhere, nails littering the road out front (swept up by me)
4 or 5 DPC level quotes later and it's been passed to senior management for approval. (will it be approved?)

Once the decking and ground levels are fixed, the render then needs cleaning, fixed and painted.

Terrible aftercare. House should have been 100 per cent when I bought it.

Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on March 15, 2019, 01:25:51 pm
Ground level
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on March 15, 2019, 01:27:12 pm
Ground level
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on March 15, 2019, 01:28:58 pm
Render cracks
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: New Home Expert on March 16, 2019, 07:48:17 am
Plenty of evidence for others to see!
Terrible.
Decking is too high.
Downpipe is  leaking at the joint.
Cracking render some of the worst I've seen too.
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on March 20, 2019, 08:32:31 pm
Had 4 contractors out to inspect for Bloor. All have said, the deck needs ripping out, lowered to correct level and correct distance from the house.

Bloor is now saying they will cut deck back by 15mm and fill the gap with pebbles for drainage.

They have laid artificial grass on one side that is level with the decking. It is laid on top of boards which are rotting.
I know this is not how grass should be laid. What if I fall through one of these rotted boards?

Bloor Homes, are going against the advice from the contractors to do a cheap fix.
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: New Home Expert on March 21, 2019, 06:42:51 am
It is up to you to not accept it and the incorrect justifications by Bloor Homes of the bodges proposed.
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on December 13, 2019, 11:07:55 am
Repairs still ongoing, nearly 3 years now. Sicker than sick.
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on December 16, 2019, 06:42:59 pm
House repairs put on hold due to the weather. My house looks terrible. Attempted render repairs have to be done again. I'll add a picture once the scaffold is gone.
Lots of cracks.
The longest is 18ft.
The two 8ft horizontal ones either side of the landing doors is on the bend of the house. There are more cracks on the back of the house.
The house is approximately 7 years old now.
This is a lot of cracks that are very concerning.

The horizontal cracks are above the doors.
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: New Home Expert on December 19, 2019, 07:52:57 am
The horizontal cracks are a mystery to me. I've never come across them before.
The vertical cracks are almost certainly caused by movement and the lack of movement joints in the blockwork and render.

It looks like there is one movement joint to the left of the door but vertically above this it would clash with the lintel of the window above making it ineffective.

I think you need the render manufacturer to inspect and rule that the movement joinst are not sufficient and as they recommend. Then Bloor will have to add movement joints and additional wall ties either side and do the remedial works properly.

However render cracking is quite common, but not to this extent!
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: New Home Expert on August 19, 2022, 10:03:25 am
Yes more please.
People need to know, especially those even thinking of buying a new home from Bloor Homes!
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on August 25, 2022, 04:02:57 pm
Where has my last post gone?
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on August 25, 2022, 04:05:46 pm
Yes more please.
People need to know, especially those even thinking of buying a new home from Bloor Homes!

Where has my last post gone about them buying back the house?
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: New Home Expert on August 27, 2022, 01:37:10 pm
Sorry I think I deleted it in error, whilst getting rid of a spam post next to yours on the latest posts list.
Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: Bri on August 28, 2022, 04:05:59 pm
Oh I see.
I’m going to create a blog that will be very detailed with all the issues.
But for starters.
Whole roof replaced twice in first two years.
All ground levels higher than DPC
Coping stones not securely fixed after two roof repairs.
Whole outer wall of the house out of plumb by a lot. Structural engineer report said whole outer wall of the house needs taking down and rebuilt.
No wind posts fitted.
Insulation missing.
Wall ties missing
Expansion joints in the wrong place.
Weak mortar, missing mortar, mortars joints 40-50mm wide
Above exposed after all the render removed from house.
Bloor agreed to buy back the house after the last structural report.
Now the house is up for sale a year later.

Here is a picture showing the blocks removed to fit a wind post. I am not sure if the whole outer wall was taken down after this picture as this was the advice in the report.
I have blown the picture up. Have a look at the block work of the inner wall.

Title: Re: Bloor show home purchase - bad experience
Post by: New Home Expert on August 30, 2022, 01:40:39 pm
It really is a shocking state of affairs.
If this was a new car, someone would have likely been killed.
And the government would have shut down the factory!

Bloor Homes will want to try to keep it quiet, but it shouldn't be.
I have a blog  New Home Blog  (http://www.new-home-blog.co.uk/) and could host it for you.