Recent Posts

1

General discussion / Re: Is this an acceptable repair?

« Last Post by MidsNewBuild19 on April 17, 2019, 07:10:08 pm »

Thanks for the reply!

It is fustrating and I do at times feel like they have no perspective of what a good standard of work is.
I do however have to ask others what they think as I can very look too much into things..

I think I will email the CEO when I have finished collating the problems 

2

General discussion / Re: House plans wrong but still signed off

« Last Post by New Home Expert on April 15, 2019, 06:08:24 am »

Signing these plans so the housebuilder can prove you were shown pertinent information is standard practice.
If the plans are subsequently changed or revised due to being incorrect you should have been informed.

Oh dear, Taylor Wimpey yet again! 
Write to Pete Redfern CEO peter.redfern@taylorwimpey.com

3

General discussion / Re: Is this an acceptable repair?

« Last Post by New Home Expert on April 15, 2019, 06:03:51 am »

No it is not!
These concrete "stone" cills should be protected before and after building in.

It is impossible for anyone on site to repair them without as you say painting the whole cill which is unacceptable.  Taylor Wimpey could have gone the extra mile and used a specialist repair like brick doctor or Magic Man that would have matched the colour of the cement repair better no need for painting.

In my view all these Cills should be taken out and undamaged replacements fitted.
Write to Pete Redfern CEO of Taylor Wimpey peter.redfern@taylorwimpey.com
You might tell him you have brought it to my attention! Taylor Wimpey are getting some bad media coverage at the moment. See from minute 28 https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00042fq/victoria-derbyshire-11042019?

4

Snagging and defects / Re: New build flat problems denied by developer

« Last Post by New Home Expert on April 15, 2019, 05:53:58 am »

Reading through your post it had all the hallmarks of Taylor Wimpey flat except when I learned you have Checkmate warranty according to them at least "Delivering a step change to the UK latent defects new home warranty market" 
I have a very different opinion. 
I always advise new home buyers to make sure they have an NHBC warranty. This is by no means perfect and offers very little to homeowners in my opinion. Having said that, despite its connections and close ties with the industry, it can help buyers far more than any other warranty provider. 
Perhaps this is why the NHBC provide 80% of new home warranties.

My view is you are wasting your time with Checkmate.
You could lodge a complaint with the Financial Services Ombudsman which if nothing else would mean they would have to defend their actions and it would be a matter of public record ie a warning for help others.

As for your defects - please name this builder!

The floating floor will follow the camber of the PCC floor sections. So 8mm difference in level across the span would be usual. The builder could have pre levelled the floor sections before laying the floating floor.

Washing machines are a nuisance for flat owners. I suspect the machine itself is either not properly levelled or your washing load is too much or the machine is not evenly distributing it before spinning.
As it is simple to fix I am surprised the builder has not levelled it for you or your neighbour below complained to you!

Window not closing can be easily adjust and I cant think why the builder has not done this. It is a matter of turning the locking pin with an allen key to loosen of tighten.

Brown material is expanding foam used to fill gaps when fitting. It can be cleaned off if on the surface.

Creaking floor in the bedroom probably caused by uneven floor and your bed compressing it over the floor bed camber meaning the edges are pinned to the skirtings. Bit of a guess as a proper inspection would be required.

Insulation missing or not fully in place is indisputable with thermal imaging camera evidence. You may need an independent survey if you wish to take legal action against your housebuilder.

Poor sound insulation. Again an acoustic specialist would need to conduct tests in your and your neighbours flats.

I suggest you contact Tim Fee 07768 900200 of "Snagging Inspections" if you would like your home professionally snagged and inspected. There is only so much anyone can advise without seeing the home.

5

Snagging and defects / Re: Minor issues with new build home

« Last Post by New Home Expert on April 15, 2019, 05:34:20 am »

Creaking squeaky floors is mostly annoying not structurally serious.
However, if the incorrect joists have been fitted or the centres are too wide, or joists have been notched or drilled incorrectly then it would be serious.

As long at when you stand in the middle of the room and bend you knees (bounce) and the flor does not noticeably deflect it will be just to annoyance. 
Get good quality underlay and  decent carpets.  Perhaps your builder should pay for the underlay!

6

Snagging and defects / Re: Minor issues with new build home

« Last Post by Maxell on April 14, 2019, 11:31:10 am »

Hi,  excessive shrinkage is over 2mm on ceilings and walls & 4mm on stairs , so your builder should address this .

Creaking floors can be a number of issues ,most common is the metal stud walls ,sometimes this can be fixed in 10mins with a small wedge other times it can be more involved . It really depends on a number of factors , the type of noise , the construction and the experience of the contractor carry out the remedial works .

Regards Maxell

7

General discussion / Re: House plans wrong but still signed off

« Last Post by MidsNewBuild19 on April 12, 2019, 10:43:52 pm »

We weren’t just shown these plans, I was asked to sign them.

I then had to mark up modifications to electrics etc based on these plans.
The plans did not show structural features and it was not to scale so it is entirely plausible that the upper floors were not mirrored.
If it is part of the house buying process to sign these document they should be correct.
As a draughtsman I actually understand the importance of an engineering drawing.

To touch on the last point, they may not have checked the house against the plans but I am trying to establish if they should have.

I am just trying to gather some information/facts to allow me to have a more comprehensive discussion with TW as to their house buying process.

8

General discussion / Re: Is this an acceptable repair?

« Last Post by MidsNewBuild19 on April 12, 2019, 10:30:53 pm »

These are the images prior to the most recent ‘repair’

9

General discussion / Is this an acceptable repair?

« Last Post by MidsNewBuild19 on April 12, 2019, 10:21:55 pm »

Our concrete sills underneath the window frames were fitted partly damaged. This was filled and painted. It had been repaired 3 times to no avail (filler softening and paint peeling). Taylor Wimpey decided to arrange for a specialist company to make the repair eventually.

The guy who rang me to book in gave a very good pitch... they came today and I am not impressed with the results.

I have attached the images

10

Snagging and defects / New build flat problems denied by developer

« Last Post by square_ on April 10, 2019, 11:50:44 pm »

It has been more than a year that we started reporting problems to the developer of our new build flat; some of them has been addressed, others ignored or neglected. I would like, if possible, to have a more professional opinion on those points.

The outstanding problems are:

• Weak floating floor, with uneven areas ( 6-8mm slopes measured with a 2m level)
• Incredible vibration of the washing machine (due to the weak floating floor) that propagate 4/5m away
• Windows that don't close properly
• Strange brown material coming from one of the windows frame
• Creaking floor in the bedroom
• Uneven insulation on some walls (measured with a thermal camera)
• Poor sound insulation

The developer already said that everything has been sorted and his surveyor denies these problems; so we escalated them to the insurance company.
Now the insurer (Check-mate) don't do anything but report our points to the developer's surveyor who comments that everything is fine.

I attach some pictures that we sent them for the above problems.

As even the insurance company is ignoring these points what could be a more effective path?
Which kind of extra evidence can we gather?
As our opinions seem not enough should we hire another surveyor to send a more effective report?

Thanks for your time,
Kind regards