Recent Posts

31

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!

32

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?

33

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?

34

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!

35

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.

36

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

37

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 »

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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!

38

Snagging and defects / Re: Soundproofing issues in newbuilt block of flats

« Last Post by West_Londoner on February 15, 2025, 06:38:23 pm »

Thank you very much for your reply.
Unfortunately looks like Howarth Homes are not registered with NHQC. They are not listed among other registered companies, there is no relevant info neither on their website.
In the sound insulation report all values from tapping machine were below 62DB (target) even below 57DB (enhanced soundproofing value ordered by local council). I am not sure what else can I do. I have attached two audio records with footsteps sound and when neighbours enter the flat (it's best to listed with earphone). I can't believe this can be acceptable standard...

39

Snagging and defects / Re: Soundproofing issues in newbuilt block of flats

« Last Post by New Home Expert on February 15, 2025, 12:40:09 pm »

You have a suspended ceiling which is resilient bar type.
However, I consider that there should be some sound insulation between the concrete floor and the plasterboard ceiling.

Regarding the sound transmission test results, these are often open to interpretation.
I have heard many that do not consider "impact sound" which you seem to be suffering most, as preventable although it is to a certain extent.  Your skirting boards and plasterboard (and the flat above)  should be above the screed flooring which should help the noise.

You may have reserved your new flat after 4 October 2022 so qualify to be able to use the New Homes Ombudsman Service (such as it is). Question is, are Howarth Homes plc a registered builder with the NHOS scheme and New Homes Quality Code?

https://www.nhqb.org.uk/register-of-developers.html?q=Howarth+Homes+plc

40

Snagging and defects / Re: Soundproofing issues in newbuilt block of flats

« Last Post by West_Londoner on February 10, 2025, 04:28:33 pm »

Local Council in the planning decision ordered the enhanced soundproofing value for the impact sound noise in the floors in the noise sensitive rooms here