Recent Posts

1

Snagging and defects / Re: Discoloured external brickwork

« Last Post by Primus on March 01, 2021, 08:11:50 pm »

Agreed it looks more like dampness that will dry out when complete, however if its like that at handover make sure your formally raise it as a suspected defect, that way if it does not alter you have a route back to builder. If after say 6months or a summer season theres no change i would re-raise and get them to sort it out, by which brick tinting will be the best solution and it will look uniform over the area 

2

General discussion / Re: Modern methods of construction - ilke Homes

« Last Post by Primus on March 01, 2021, 07:50:41 pm »

I built 6 homes using a aimilar method around 6yrs ago. Houses consisted if two prebuild timber units downstairs and two upstairs, craned into position, fixed, fire barriers installed, roof structure and tiling installed first to get the units under compression / settling and then brick skinned. These were suppose to be completely finished units appart from the joins between units and jointing of M&E at specidic designed locations. Honestly they looked great and went together quick, unfortunatly we had issues where the prefab supplier had got the heating and hot water pipework wrong so ended up having to open up prefinished areas on site to rectify, thus benefits or prefab somewhat lost, saying that though looked good in the end with little issues over the warranty period, even won a local authority award. Like and build done right theres nothing wrong with this type of build, afterall even traditional builds are 50% timber when you consider floor joists, floor boarding, studd walling, roof trusses etc. As for fire barriers etc these are easily installed and if i recall right prefitted to the timber units so when butted up or the brickwork goes up there there to work to and close the cavaties. If you do fancy going for do your homework on the builder, site and supplier. Perhaps talk to someone who knows a bit about this type of build. Good luck

3

Snagging and defects / Re: Cracked Redrow home-all Warwick's?

« Last Post by New Home Expert on February 26, 2021, 05:51:18 am »

This is the same NHBC that markets itself as "Improving Standards - Protection Homeowners".

This is why a statutory New Homes Ombudsman is required and should also include the warranty providers, who it appears back their housebuilder paymasters far too often.

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General discussion / Re: Modern methods of construction - ilke Homes

« Last Post by New Home Expert on February 26, 2021, 05:48:15 am »

Except when the mortar is weak mix mortar and the warranty doesn't not include "Erosion"

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Snagging and defects / Re: Cracked Redrow home-all Warwick's?

« Last Post by mike306 on February 19, 2021, 03:59:25 pm »

So, just to update...

I had an independent surveyor come to take a look, and they agreed that whilst the crack is due to themral movement and here is nothing too serious going on, the fact that several other properties of the same design have cracked in the same place could indicated a design weakness/issue.  He also suggested a more robust method of repair involving some sort of stitching might be more appropriate/necessary. I forwarded my concerns and report into the NHBC who did not reply. I sent them a reminder over a month later and they say they will not reconsider as the policy does not cover themal movement or shrinkage.

I responded that I don't believe this is the sole cause and the report suggests a design flaw-to which he has replied that they don't take other properties into consideration.

This feels like madness and is very frustrating. Should I just give up and face the fact I'm going to get nothing out of them?  My opinion of them could not get much lower right now.

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General discussion / Re: Valuing a new build home for purchase

« Last Post by rooney on February 19, 2021, 12:06:22 pm »

May be you can hire a home inspector / home valuer to do it for you.

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General discussion / Re: Modern methods of construction - ilke Homes

« Last Post by rooney on February 19, 2021, 12:04:50 pm »

Avoid prefabs. That "modern way of construction" is just a marketing gimmick. Trust brick and mortar. Nothing like that.

8

Snagging and defects / Re: Discoloured external brickwork

« Last Post by New Home Expert on February 17, 2021, 04:38:53 pm »

Given the pattern it is quite unlikely to be banding caused by not mixing different batches of bricks.
It does appear to be that the dark bricks are just wet and time will tell.
The banding may also be where a cavity tray stops the wetting going lower hence the horizontal stopping.
On the left it looks likely it got wet before the downpipes were connected.

In the next period of dry frosty weather I expect the dark areas will turn white as the salts in the bricks are drawn to the surface.
This will confirm the bricks were just wet.

9

Snagging and defects / Re: Gas boiler registration

« Last Post by New Home Expert on February 17, 2021, 04:33:27 pm »

I see. Pity as some smaller builders have a good reputation and pride in quality as they have time to care unlike the plc housebuilders answerable to shareholders.

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Snagging and defects / Re: Discoloured external brickwork

« Last Post by paulhorsley on February 16, 2021, 08:16:28 pm »

Thank you Maxell, really appreciate your help.  I managed to speak with some of the builders on site with one in particular who felt that it was simply down to the brickwork still being wet and that it will dry up with time, especially over the summer.  I'd like to believe that this is the case and would welcome any views on this.  I have also followed your advice and raised this issue with the developer.

Paul