I thought it would be useful to provide an update on our situation, should anyone else be at a similar stage in the home buying process.
Our worst fears were confirmed during our walk round of the property on the 10th April. Every single item that we specified at the point of securing the plot via a deposit is incorrect. This extends to kitchen unit style / colour, work surfaces in both the kitchen and utility room and tiles in all bathrooms / en-suite. Items that we specified AFTER this point - i.e. breakfast bar in the kitchen - HAVE been included, albeit in kitchen units of the incorrect style / colour.
Walker Group Ltd have admitted this is a problem entirely of their own making.
The errors appear to have occurred due to a breakdown in process somewhere between the sales office / site office. The specifications applied are the default applied by Walker Group Ltd, should a plot remain unreserved at a point in the build process.
All of our signed paperwork reflects the specification that we requested. On a positive note, this has not been questioned by Walker Group Ltd who have effectively put their hands up and said they have got it wrong.
10 days have now passed (5 working days if you take account of the Bank Holiday weekend) and we are unfortunately no further forward. During the intervening period, we have received vague verbal assurances from Walker Group Ltd that our agreed entry date of 5th May would remain feasible. On Tuesday 18th April however, I received an email from my solicitor who had been contacted by the solicitor appointed by Walker Group Ltd advising of a revised entry date of 19th May, in recognition of what their solicitor described as a 'mix up with the kitchen'.
My solicitor has responded formally advising this is not acceptable. Principally, as these dates now clash with the due date of our as yet unborn child.
I spoke to the Sales Manager for our development yesterday in order to understand what options are available to us (effectively we become homeless on Friday 5th May) as no options had been forthcoming from Walker Group Ltd (who I may add, are fully cognisant of my wife being heavily pregnant). I was assured of a call back today, and having heard nothing by 3pm, I took the opportunity to place a polite chaser call to Walker Ltd.
In summary, we are no further forward.
Thus far, Walker Group Ltd have only been able to tell me that a) An entry date of 19th May is now being proposed and b) They are in receipt of the email from my solicitor to their own, which is now being circulated within Walker Group with various directors. The nature of the discussions within Walker Group Ltd is unclear. It is also unclear as to whether 'Director' in this instance relates to either of the respective Mr Walkers who hold directorships with Walker Group (Scotland) Limited.
At the time of writing (20th April), following our walk round of the property on the 10th April, we have no options available to us and as such, a very ominous looking gap in our housing situation between 5th May and 19th May.
I continue to approach this as calmly and as diligently as possible and on 2 fronts - 1) via my solicitor and the legal process and 2) directly with Walker Group Ltd in order to ensure that our requirements and expectations (not to mention the direness of the situation) are explicitly understood by those in Walker Group Ltd who have the power to accelerate a solution.
The sales manager has committed to come back to me as soon as possible. My fear is this is nothing more than sales chatter. I've been very clear that my next action will be to seek direct intervention from the appointed directors of the limited company.
All things considered, I do believe that Walker Group Ltd build good homes. I remain confident that this will be resolved to our satisfaction, however the communication process as things stand is entirely lacking, evident by both the mistakes that have been made and the lack of any pro-active communication from the individuals whom I would expect to be empowered to resolve.