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Author Topic: Garden/Fence. Snag or not?  (Read 9836 times)

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Major_Sharpe

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Garden/Fence. Snag or not?
« on: May 22, 2020, 12:11:24 pm »
Hi everyone,
First time poster here.

We moved in to our new build house end of June last year. Now we have had a bit of time in the garden I've seen a couple of things that concern me. The question I have is, should I contact the builder about these?
1. The house was provided with turf, however the soil level of the turf in some areas of the garden is above the bottom of the fence, surely this will lead to the fence rotting? In some areas it is above the gravel boards, some areas there isn't even any gravel board!
2. Some of the fence panels and posts have cracks and splits as well as having nails randomly sticking out.
3. Some of the boards have already warped and created gaps in the fence.
4. In the back corner of the garden the garden dips quite substantially. I would like to level this out, but sadly this would add to the problem of number 1.

Thanks everyone!


Midwest

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Re: Garden/Fence. Snag or not?
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2020, 08:36:44 am »
Any pics?

Sadly most rear gardens are poorly laid by developers.
My recent move into a new build, I asked them not to lay topsoil or pay for turf. I paid for my garden to be landscape myself, from the subsoil. I also made sure all the rubble was removed as well.

Fences, are made of natural products, that will split or warp, especially the cheaper products they will use. Unless its really bad, I think you just need to accept the fact.

Tim Fee Snagging Inspector

Major_Sharpe

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Re: Garden/Fence. Snag or not?
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2020, 10:03:37 am »
Thanks for your reply.
Yes I expected the fences would eventually warp and crack just didn't think it would be quite two soon. I am more concerned with the high soil level and the rotting of the fence.  I'll attempt to attach a pic.

This is the first home I have owned, if I was to buy another new build I would definitely take your stance with regards to getting it done yourself. I think the turf they installed was infested too as we had a mass infestation of st marks flies in April for a couple of weeks. 90% of the lawn is also patchy. The 10% that is a lovely green and growing well was installed after we moved in...

Thanks again

New Home Expert

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Re: Garden/Fence. Snag or not?
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2020, 10:53:26 am »
I cannot begin to believe what my eyes are seeing!
Your fence has been buried and it will rot in a very short time, with the first high winds blowing it down.

You really should write and complain about this. It is not what you paid for and I very much doubt any fencer would have erected a fence knowing it would be partially underground.

You should also not have any nails sticking out as these are dangerous especially to children.

Please don't just accept this shoddy fence!
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Midwest

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Re: Garden/Fence. Snag or not?
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2020, 01:01:20 pm »
Thanks for your reply.
Yes I expected the fences would eventually warp and crack just didn't think it would be quite two soon. I am more concerned with the high soil level and the rotting of the fence.  I'll attempt to attach a pic.

This is the first home I have owned, if I was to buy another new build I would definitely take your stance with regards to getting it done yourself. I think the turf they installed was infested too as we had a mass infestation of st marks flies in April for a couple of weeks. 90% of the lawn is also patchy. The 10% that is a lovely green and growing well was installed after we moved in...

Thanks again

I suspect the subsoil level has not reduced to the desired level, topsoil & turf has just been dumped on top. Ask them nicely, to come back and level the site properly.

I would definitely advise laying your own rear garden in future; the topsoil is normally the crap they scoop off, to start building. Mine is clay & sandstone. No roses will be growing in that. You have to sign a waiver, as 100mm of topsoil, is part of the drainage specification.

Major_Sharpe

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Re: Garden/Fence. Snag or not?
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2020, 11:21:04 am »
Thank you for your replies. I contacted the builders and explained the situation about the fence. I also said about the infested turf they installed. They are going to send a landscaper round to check the turf and are going to speak to the site manager about the fence.
I've got to say I'm not too hopeful they will sort either problem out but we will see.
Thanks again.

Major_Sharpe

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Re: Garden/Fence. Snag or not?
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2020, 05:49:06 pm »
I have received a reply. They have said the fences have been treated so will not rot. They have also said the reason the soil is so high is to ensure the garden is level. I have attached a picture. I don't think any tools are needed to show that this isn't level.
I have replied to them and I am hoping for a more positive response next time.
Thanks


New Home Expert

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Re: Garden/Fence. Snag or not?
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2020, 08:42:46 am »
Treated timber does rot. If it didn't, no treated fence posts in the world would ever rot and snap.

Fences are not designed or supposed to be buried.
With a housebuilder saying what he is about something so basic as a fence, I would be concerned about the quality and compliance of your actual house.  Perhaps you could suggest they buy it back?
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Midwest

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Re: Garden/Fence. Snag or not?
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2020, 12:06:13 pm »
Is your garden built on an incline? Looks like you have two types of fences? Its sometimes normal for a fence to be installed on top of a gravel board. The gravel board can be separately replaced when it has rotten. The darker fences to the left, appear to have a concrete gravel board?