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Author Topic: Copies of plans  (Read 14851 times)

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leppy76

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Copies of plans
« on: June 10, 2013, 03:06:17 pm »
Is there any way of requesting copies of plans of your new build home, either directly or via your solicitor? The developer has stated that they have copies in the office that we can view at any time, but they don't have any other copies that we could take away, not an eelctronic copy...

Will be taking pics on my phone as much as possible but would obviously prefer a proper copy...


Philofacts

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Re: Copies of plans
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2013, 08:35:28 am »
You can request copies of plans - the request will in all probability be refused!

Why would a house builder hand over copies of his working drawings and designs to a customer?
It should be obvious that most customers in possession of plans would then check their house for any deviation from the plans.
If any are found, require the builder to take action, which he would otherwise have avoided.
Further, such plans belong to the builder and are his intellectual property.
You could offer to buy the plans you require which the builder may agree to subject to conditions.

Finally, taking a photo of the plans is unlikely to be permitted for the reasons above.

However, quite often plans are revised due to charges to regulations and standards with the out of date plans dumped in rubbish skips.
Sometimes plans may be left by trades in part-finished homes if you can legally gain access.
Another option would be to give a worker on the site a "drink" for the particular plan you would like.
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Twisted Sister

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Re: Copies of plans
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2013, 12:16:39 pm »
We are having some problems at the moment with our Builder and have asked for a copy of the plans numerous times with no reply.

Can I get hold of these through a Subject Access Request ?

Philofacts

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Re: Copies of plans
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2013, 11:10:20 am »
As I said the working drawings belong to the builder and are his intellectual property. 
You could get a copy of the 'approved planning drawings' from the Local Authority and these may give you the information you want;
If you have a standard house type and those plans were included in the application.

If you are having trouble with your builder, first of all you should let this forum know who the house builder is as a warning for others.
You could make a Subject Access Request to the house builder as this will get you copies of everything regarding you and your home from the plot file.
This would not normally include plans as they appertain to the building not you personally.

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The Brickkicker

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Re: Copies of plans
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2013, 01:49:13 pm »
It would be highly unusual for a builder to hand over his plans ....small builders building one-off houses might though.

Big builders go through many plan changes and would not risk out of date plans getting in the hands of buyers for fear of being sued.

Some local authorities will keep plans and they can be seen as a matter of public record ...but you will not be able to copy them.
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