New Home Owners And Snagging Forum
Advice on buying a brand new home => House Builders => Bovis Homes => Topic started by: MarkVexco on June 29, 2016, 07:40:12 am
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Hi
Great website! Thanks for all of the information you have on there.
After 2½ years we have finally had all of the snagging completed – Bovis built the house without sealing any of the windows or a DPC at the back of the property. Needless to say we have had water ingress through the windows (twice) and up through the tiles.
I had to take 89 days unpaid to be on site to oversee the work – what in your opinion is the best way to get this back?
They have offered £1,000 in compensation but as I have lost over £25,000 that is not really good enough.
Is it best to go legal?
Thanks for your help.
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As you have discovered Bovis are not very good either at building defect free new homes or putting them right in a timely manner.
That is why they are rated just 3 stars and their site managers didn't win any NHBC Quality Awards last year either!
If you have a timber frame home, it is probably a good idea to leave the silicone around the windows for six months to allow the frame to dry out, shrink and settle. However, this is so obvious you have to wonder why no one at Bovis ever noticed.
The DPC missing is more serious. Everyone on any building site knows the importance of this and how difficult and expensive it is to install retrospectively. I suspect you wonder what else is wring with your home, but after 2 years you only have your warranty.
By offering you £1,000 compensation, Bovis are acknowledging you have a case.
However, if you believe £25,000 is justifiable – and you would have to show the court how you arrived at that figure, then you will need to take legal action. The Small Claims court maximum claim is £15,000 but at least win or lose you will not have to pay Bovis’ legal fees which could be more than your claim! Claiming £25,000 in a civil action will mean if you lose (a possibility however unlikely) you may have to pay Bovis legal fees and costs. I am NOT a legal expert. You should seek your own legal advice. I suggest giving Geoff Peter at call at WingroveLaw.co.uk 01904 799400 M: 07711 893943
He specialises in taking builders to court on behalf of new homebuyers. As you might expect he is very busy and you may have to wait for your day in court.