Recent Posts

1

NHBC Warranty / NHBC refusing render repair claim

« Last Post by EdT on June 06, 2025, 04:41:10 pm »

Hello,

I would appreciate anyone's thoughts or experiences on problems I currently have with render cracking. I moved into a David Wilson new build three years ago and at the turn of this year noticed render cracking and disintegrating around window sills/reveals, the front door and lead flashing around a rear bay area. I have submitted a claim to NHBC, who have refused it, saying it's consistent with thermal movement of the building, and therefore not covered. None of my neighbours have experienced similar issues and I find it hard to accept that I should have to shell out potentially several thousand pounds for repairs after less three years living in the property.

I've attached a few pictures to show the problem - it is apparent around several windows on the first and second floors of the house. David Wilson sent me some warranty information for the render, which apparently is covered for 10 years by Parex the manufacturer. I'm planning to complain to NHBC but don't do so from a position of any expertise - all I have is what I've found online, which is that render cracking/disintegrating can be down to poor application/mixing or weather conditions at the time of application. My problem is that it seems difficult to prove things one way or another - I'd be grateful of any suggestions on how to make a successful challenge or comments on the appearance of the render.

Thanks for reading. 

2

Snagging and defects / Damp Bricks Below DPC

« Last Post by Camp1234 on June 06, 2025, 09:56:08 am »

Can anyone please help with the damp brick issue I have with my new build. When I purchased the property, the bottom one or two brick courses below the DPC were all damp. I raised this with the builder when I purchased the property in September and was told it was construction moisture and it would dry out.

The damp bricks pretty much all dried out with the warmer weather but the brick courses on the gable end of the property get damp after rain fall.

Beyond the aesthetic concerns, I’m concerned the damp bricks at ground level will lead to weakened brickwork and structural issues. I suspect damp bricks are caused by rain water and ground water accumulating at the base of the wall. The standing wate is then seeping into the brickwork, causing it to permeate into the brickwork.

I also have concerns the paving does not have the correct grading away from the brickwork and the lack of a gravel splash strip to prevent driving rain from creating splashback
effect is contributing to the problem.

Any advice or guidance will be greatly appreciated.

3

Snagging and defects / Re: Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard

« Last Post by noise-control101 on May 29, 2025, 05:35:28 pm »

It don't matter about the home builder's name. There are a few good companies and a number of bad companies out there!

The timber frame material makes sense, but it's plasterboard that it has been covered with and no insulation which is why the walls are sounding hollow, something the home builder denied. Fire safety has not been an issue and that is the first I heard because of timber frame. The noise is the main problem with echos happening whenever doors are closed but inside the building and outside the building, from  mainly car/van doors.

Many of my neighbours are decent and respectful. It's not the neighbours so much, it's down to the material used in the building. Sadly I am outside of the NHBC warranty. The property is unsellable because of this problem.
Any other suggestions on the legal side please share.

4

Snagging and defects / Re: Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard

« Last Post by New Home Expert on May 27, 2025, 08:43:26 am »

First of all name the housebuilder!  (I shouldn't have to ask!)

It does appear that your block of flats is built in timber frame.
I would be more and very concerned about the risk of a fire spreading between flats!

It could be that your external timber frame has areas of missing (thermal) insulation.
It does seem strange you do not mention noise from neighbouring flats which is more likely.

Finally, I very much doubt that an NHBC claim would be under the threshold (excess) for works to resolve this would likely be several thousand pounds.

My advice would be to sell and move to a non timber frame building!

5

NHBC Warranty / Re: NHBC claim for deflecting and creaking floors

« Last Post by New Home Expert on May 27, 2025, 08:37:54 am »

I'm assuming you are the second buyer otherwise you would have reported this issue straight away.
It is true the NHBC are only interested in "damage" after the first two years.

So the NHBC will only sort this if someone breaks a floor joist.

I must say having used these joists on many sites, I can't remember ever having them at 600mm centres.
It would cost the builder more as the joist would be deeper, and the house higher to give the required 2.3m clear per storey.

I suggest you check with Building Control, (no doubt also with the NHBC) to see if 600mm centres joists centres were passed.

Who was the housebuilder?

6

NHBC Warranty / NHBC claim for deflecting and creaking floors

« Last Post by NiceCatExecutive on April 03, 2025, 07:59:30 pm »

I have an issue with floors in my new build (>5 years old).

I have raised a claim with NHBC regarding the deflection that is visible in some places, and the creaking that is quite extreme in these areas - primarily around a bay window and on the hallway landing.

I was asked to instruct a carpenter to produce a report, which explained that he believes that 600mm centres are too wide for chipboard floors on I joists.

The NHBC rejected this because there has to be damage for there to be a claim, and what I am experiencing doesn’t amount to any damage. I am concerned that the noise seems to be getting worse, and if there is no way to claim for this under the NHBC warranty then I will have to address this myself.

Has anyone here had any similar experiences?

7

Snagging and defects / Terrible noise insulation from walls made from plasterboard

« Last Post by noise-control101 on March 31, 2025, 12:56:56 am »

I am new to the forum.
I would like to get some advice from those who experience a lack of noise insulation in flats that are coming from walls made out of plasterboard and not brick built.
I have contacted the home builder, and sent a video of clip of how the walls are not insulated properly.
It is so bad that you can easily hear and be affected by someone closing their car or van doors, and even more so when someone is closing their flat door gently. This has a thumping sound effect and it feels like driving over a deep pothole at over 50 mph. This is really damaging to anyone's health.

Please see attachment of a short video clip of myself lightly tapping the wall. Imagine if someone had closed their flat door strongly the whole room would shake and cause a bad lasting effect.

The home builder doesn't want to visit my property and they have denied about the lack of wall insulation, where I requested for them to use a stronger material to not absorb noise anymore. The warranty limit shouldn't be their excuse.
I would like to get some possible solutions. It's like you have to wear a crash helmet when living in this type of property.
Thanks!

8

General discussion / Re: Sign the petition to make UK new builds follow stricter regulations

« Last Post by New Home Expert on March 04, 2025, 07:44:43 am »

This is not correct.
ALL new buildings must legally comply with the Building Regulations, a legal requirement and a statutory requirement in law.

What has gone wrong is that builders (house builders in particular) are able to use registered private companies to carry out the building control inspections, such as warranty providers like the NHBC and surveyors.

Unlike local authority building control who inspect every stage they need to for building control approval, the private companies are often satisfied to see a photograph e mailed to them if they do not make an inspection on site.  They also tend to have a relationship with the builder and/or the site management and a degree of trust results meaning inspections may not be as comprehensive as they perhaps should be if at all.

Perhaps your petition should be about legal action being taken against housebuilders and building control companies when building regulations are found to have not been followed.

9

General discussion / Sign the petition to make UK new builds follow stricter regulations

« Last Post by aliceh on February 22, 2025, 08:39:13 pm »

I want to start a petition – will you sign it?

Sign the petition
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/718925/sponsors/new?token=etaRKMgCCyF1Kr4wnXRv

ensure new build developments follow building regulations from councils

The government to better legislate UK new build developers. My new build home subsided, I reported an issue for 4 years. Developer advised no issue, warranty provided advised no issue. 5 years after initial build it was discovered foundations were not built to any regulations and faulty

Local councils must inspect/sign off developments - for example if a resident built an extension council building control would monitor/check this is done correctly and legally. My local council advised they have no involvement in any new build development, the developer simply pays the local council for the land, a CIL payment and they can do as they please. Similar to the Godstone estate which also would not have the correct investigation/testing and property build to withstand natural movement

10

Buying and Selling / NW Home Buyers – A Quick and Hassle-Free Way to Sell Your Home

« Last Post by cecex on February 19, 2025, 10:42:19 am »

Hello everyone,

Are you looking to sell your home in the Pacific Northwest quickly and with ease? NW Home Buyers specialize in making the process fast, straightforward, and stress-free. Whether you're dealing with foreclosure, divorce, or simply need to relocate, they offer fair cash offers without the complications of traditional home sales.

You can avoid long waiting periods, agent fees, and repairs. With NW Home Buyers, you get the peace of mind knowing you’ll close quickly and move on to your next chapter. Contact them today to get a no-obligation offer!