Recent Posts

1

Solicitors and Legal Issues / Re: New Build Not According to Specification - Now Collapsing

« Last Post by niobedemos on June 11, 2024, 09:47:45 am »

Strap in and enjoy the ride with this one...

We have been in our new build since July 2021 and 2 weeks ago heard a loud bang of an evening - what we found is that the porch canopy that protrudes over the front door had actually fallen away from the house, ripping a large hole in the front of the house

We have called Crest, our housebuilder, who sent an emergency builder out to conduct repairs - which consisted of jamming a piece of 2x4 underneath the porch without any formal fixing or support. It is literally just wedged in there to prevent an immediate full collapse of the porch canopy

Site manager was called the following day and admitted to us that the house was not built in line with specification, and that there should have been a pillar where said piece of wood now is... they also told us that we are going to have to lump this as a temporary fix for 6 months because they didn't have any pillars in supply (they are currently building houses using pillars at the moment in the next construction phase)

** side note - waiting another 6 months would push us over the 2-year mandatory requirement for the developer to fix the issue and transfer fault onto the NHBC, coincidence?

We have initiated a formal complaints procedure which resulted in the Site Manager saying the best he could do is dig a hole, fill it with cement and then rest the 2x4 on the cement so that it does not sink into the ground... attached is the cement hole which as you can see now 2 weeks later does not have anything in it... they literally dug a hole next to the temporary support and left it

Customer service just pays us lip service, they have told us twice to expect build teams round to repair the tiling and hole in the structure, no one has shown up on either occasion

We have now initiated a Subject Access Request to which Crest have said they will provide email concerning us personally but no information on our plot file:

"Please note that a subject access request is a right to a copy of the personal data that is held about you which is usually quite distinct from property data (and not covered by the Data Protection Act 2018 or the right of subject access"

We have continued with our formal complaint follow up stating the defect as a threat to life and asking when a permanent fix will be implemented (or at least a safe temporary fix) as of writing this we are nearing 48 hours with no response

As a passionate writer and student of English Literature, I'm deeply concerned about the recent news regarding the collapse of a new building due to not meeting specifications. This tragic event underscores the importance of adhering to proper construction standards to ensure the safety of inhabitants. Reflecting on this issue, it's clear that thorough oversight and accountability are paramount in any construction project to prevent such disasters. Regarding your inquiry, I highly recommend utilizing https://essaypro.com/finance-essay-writing-service finance essay writing service for insightful analysis and solutions to finance-related topics. Their team of expert writers can provide valuable perspectives and research to address complex financial issues effectively.

the information was helpful

2

Solicitors and Legal Issues / Re: New Build Not According to Specification - Now Collapsing

« Last Post by niobedemos on June 11, 2024, 09:46:50 am »

Strap in and enjoy the ride with this one...

We have been in our new build since July 2021 and 2 weeks ago heard a loud bang of an evening - what we found is that the porch canopy that protrudes over the front door had actually fallen away from the house, ripping a large hole in the front of the house

We have called Crest, our housebuilder, who sent an emergency builder out to conduct repairs - which consisted of jamming a piece of 2x4 underneath the porch without any formal fixing or support. It is literally just wedged in there to prevent an immediate full collapse of the porch canopy

Site manager was called the following day and admitted to us that the house was not built in line with specification, and that there should have been a pillar where said piece of wood now is... they also told us that we are going to have to lump this as a temporary fix for 6 months because they didn't have any pillars in supply (they are currently building houses using pillars at the moment in the next construction phase)

** side note - waiting another 6 months would push us over the 2-year mandatory requirement for the developer to fix the issue and transfer fault onto the NHBC, coincidence?

We have initiated a formal complaints procedure which resulted in the Site Manager saying the best he could do is dig a hole, fill it with cement and then rest the 2x4 on the cement so that it does not sink into the ground... attached is the cement hole which as you can see now 2 weeks later does not have anything in it... they literally dug a hole next to the temporary support and left it

Customer service just pays us lip service, they have told us twice to expect build teams round to repair the tiling and hole in the structure, no one has shown up on either occasion

We have now initiated a Subject Access Request to which Crest have said they will provide email concerning us personally but no information on our plot file:

"Please note that a subject access request is a right to a copy of the personal data that is held about you which is usually quite distinct from property data (and not covered by the Data Protection Act 2018 or the right of subject access"

We have continued with our formal complaint follow up stating the defect as a threat to life and asking when a permanent fix will be implemented (or at least a safe temporary fix) as of writing this we are nearing 48 hours with no response

Guess my questions to the forum as as follows:

1 - building a property with such a big structural defect seems like a pretty big deal right? we are being treated like its a light fixing not applied properly and not like the house is in the process of collapsing

2 - at what point do we go down the legal route, and what kind of compensation is reasonable to claim for this?

i can think of so many avenues to peruse here and it would be great to get some advice. In my opinion, here are possible causes for legal action:

- Crest signing off on the the build knowing it was against structural regulations
- Crest allowing us to move in without providing this information
- Stating the obvious, but a serious threat to life if this thing collapses on someone
- Crest failing to apply a suitable fix to the problem now resulting in structural exposure to the elements (heavy rain on a daily basis)
- Us not being able to sell the property for the next 6 months in its current state (market fluctuations could mean we are potentially missing out on a significant pricing variance over 6 months

Thanks for the information!

3

Solicitors and Legal Issues / Re: New Build Not According to Specification - Now Collapsing

« Last Post by niobedemos on June 06, 2024, 08:58:21 am »

What a shambles and that other than putting a temporary support to prevent this completely falling down and costing Crest (albeit eventually) even more to remediate, Crest Homes have done precious little to demonstrate they are worthy of their current 5-star HBF survey rating.

Firstly, you have reported it within the 2-year period so Crest are 'on the hook' for the remedial works required until it is done, even after the two years are up.  I take it you have WRITTEN to Crest and have the admittance from them that a column support was supposed to have been fitted also in writing?  If not get that confirmed right now!

Your house isn't falling down. Just the porch!  Yes it is a big deal and it is a big porch!
Crest should be fixing this with a column they have for as yet unoccupied homes right now, not expecting you to wait until they can get one delivered.
Yes it is amazing that no one on this site thought what is keeping the porch from falling down. I am surprised it didn't fall down during tiling!

As for you selling the house - that is not of Crest's concern. Whether you can even sell your house even in tip top condition, in this economic meltdown is also questionable.

You should write to crest CEO at their head office and insist that it is dealt with as a priority and take to social media and write to your local paper about this.
ASs you can see it is happened before (Charles Church Home)

Thanks for the information!

4

General discussion / Re: Checklist For Survey Of New Home

« Last Post by New Home Expert on June 03, 2024, 09:30:07 am »

It appears that neither post is very useful and both are virtually the same.
Be aware this forum does not tolerate link spamming and accounts will be banned if it occurs.

5

Snagging and defects / Re: Developer dissolved in first two years - nothing fixed

« Last Post by New Home Expert on May 11, 2024, 07:10:19 am »

Or should I accept my warranty is not worth the paper it's written on, I've made a costly mistake buying a new build from a small developer, and try to find thousands of ££ to rectify this myself whilst crying into my beer?

I think you already know the answer!
 
The work required would need to be done in the flat above and involve taking up their floor.
You could perhaps ask if they could put down thick/thicker) carpets and underlay which may help.
Or try and insulate from your ceiling.

Big plc housebuilders do build shoddy new homes full of defects, but at least they are around to complain to when things are not right.

6

Landscaping and Gardening / Re: Garden utilities drawings

« Last Post by Admin on May 11, 2024, 07:03:05 am »

As you reported the issue within two years and it is still not fixed, just moved further away, Barratt are still on the hook to sort it out.

My advice is don't waste time on the regional office, write to David Thomas the CEO. He really does care about customer care and hopefully will get it sorted out. If he doesn't, post about it on social media.

I expect the "fix" isn't going to be easy as the drainage pipework is falling the wrong way.
And yes, your fence will rot quite quickly as a result of this.

7

Snagging and defects / New build brickwork query..

« Last Post by Alexg on May 10, 2024, 04:40:13 pm »

Thanks for viewing, any help is appreciated...
My wife and I are In the process of buying a new build from TW. Completion is around aug/sep and everything so far has gone smoothly and TW have been brilliant. We had the first site visit today and the first thing I noticed was the brickwork. I work in IT so I'm a total nube to this so please excuse any ignorance to this post, but I was under the impression all brickwork had to be the same brick in terms of quality, colour and at least new. Straight away I noticed some of patches of the brick almost looked like rubble, or that there was a mix of new bricks and old bricks. I've attached a picture and circled where I think it's noticeable /bad. If someone could take a look and let me know if I'm right to be concerned or if I'm talking rubbish and it's totally normal it would help us massively in knowing what to do next. 👍

8

Welcome - Member Introductions / Cora homes (formerly Barwood homes)

« Last Post by Chris Jones on May 07, 2024, 11:00:51 am »

Hello all

We have just put down a reservation fee on a new build house in Bedfordshire.
Has anyone heard of a company called Cora homes.
The houses are timber framed which we don’t have a problem with.
I’m just a little cautious of the company as they changed their name fairly recently and some reviews on trustpilot are worrying.
If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

9

Snagging and defects / below ground level air bricks

« Last Post by Newowner1965 on April 30, 2024, 09:27:25 am »

Hi i recently bought a new house and noticed issues with the airbricks on the outside walls.
reading up on regs and these seem to not meet these regs.
Developer states it is right as signed off by NHBC.
Can someone please advise.
Thanks

10

Sell your home for free (UK only) / Re: How to Advertise And Sell Your Home Online For Free

« Last Post by davidpaul41 on April 27, 2024, 08:13:46 am »

If you want to have your own option then one option is that you can create your own profile and put it online on all the portals or the other option is that you can tie up with any real estate agency and get your work done by paying a penny. Can get it done. Small percentage.