Recent Posts

71

Snagging and defects / Re: Air bricks and DPM ??

« Last Post by AliceScott1943 on September 08, 2023, 08:59:45 am »

Hello, that air brick requires re positioning above ground level.
Water can track through the air brick from the ground and into your sub floor.

72

Snagging and defects / Re: Air bricks and DPM ??

« Last Post by DGarland on September 01, 2023, 10:01:37 pm »

Here is a picture showing one of the air bricks DPM being on top of the air brick.

73

Snagging and defects / Air bricks and DPM ??

« Last Post by DGarland on September 01, 2023, 09:57:35 pm »

Hi not sure if this is correct or not although the Building Control guys tells me it is acceptable.
The ground level at the far end of the property is 25mm below the DPM - this is OK as it has a cavity tray fitted?
Air bricks are almost half under the ground level - again this is fine and acceptable as it provides enough ventilation.
Weep holes are pointed - just stick a screw or something in them as this is part of the properties maintenance.
I am no builder and have no idea but something does not sound quite right with it all!??

Any help greatly appreciated

Thanks
Dan

74

Energy / Compliance with Part L 2022 changes

« Last Post by btjtaylor on August 31, 2023, 09:09:23 pm »

We moved into a new build property in September 2022

I have been trying to increase the efficiency of our central heating in preparation for the upcoming winter

I have done some reading into the builder's obligations regarding the heating system and building regulations, and found some non-compliance.

For the boiler commissioning sheet (Benchmark form), the installer has ticked that Part P is complied with and ticked the box for "weather compensation" and "smart thermostat". I found earlier in the week that the outdoor weather comp sensor is not connected to the boiler. And the controls are definitely not smart, it's just a basic programmer/thermostat. This is 100% a breach of regulations because these have been in place for sometime and I am confident of this - although I am not massively bothered because I will upgrade the boiler controls myself anyway.

The more serious annoyance for me is around the oversized boiler that has been fitted. The regulations were updated in June 2022 to include that "A heat loss calculation is carried out to ensure that the new boiler is not significantly oversized, and output set to match the calculated heat loss."

I calculate the heat loss of our property to require heating of somewhere between 3000w and 4500w (115m2 at 20-40w/m2). The boiler that is installed is a Baxi 36kw combi with a minimum heat output of 7.6kW! This is significantly oversized and (as far as I understand it) can't ever be made to run fully efficiently.

My question is - did these June 2022 regulations apply to our property? I am struggling to figure that one out. I want to throw the book at them as one of the reasons to purchase a new build is to benefit from modern, efficient heating, but as usual, the cowboys have scuppered that.

Thanks in advance

75

Snagging and defects / Re: Snapping/Cracking Noises Heard In Room Below

« Last Post by lukey on August 08, 2023, 01:17:39 pm »

Well builder has done 'something' but nothing that would fix microcracking and the issue still remains..... have followed up with the builder and will presumably have to go to the NHBC again.

76

General discussion / Checklist For Survey Of New Home

« Last Post by ats on August 02, 2023, 10:55:11 pm »

Buying a new home or property can be an exciting time, though it is recommended to get a survey done before purchase, these can be expensive and not always thorough.
Knowing what to look out for regarding structural problems, roofing problems and even trees being to close is why I've put together a simple checklist which could potentially save you thousands of pounds.
Even if you do go ahead with a full survey,  it's still a good idea to have a basic understanding of what to keep a look out for!

77

David Wilson Homes / Re: Aggressive Salesmanship

« Last Post by New Home Expert on July 06, 2023, 10:53:13 am »

All property transactions mean that the seller must obtain proof that funds are available for the purcahse to proceed.
Mortgage agreement, existing house valuation, savings and proof of income. Most of this crap is to do with Anti Monet Laundering.

Most housebuilder's require exchange of contracts in 28 days which means you find and pay the 10% deposit to your solicitor.

DO NOT USE DAVID WILSON HOMES suggested or recommended solicitor(s).

It may seem one-sided, which it is, but it is normal.
You run the risk that by the time you legally complete the house is valued less due to a housing market crash.
Conversely, if may (unlikely at the moment) be worth more by the time you complete.

You will have at least the benefit of the New Homes Ombudsman Service.
Ask them about this and please post their reaction.

78

Snagging and defects / Re: Snapping/Cracking Noises Heard In Room Below

« Last Post by lukey on July 03, 2023, 06:18:28 pm »

Well good news at least I guess as the NHBC report has deemed it to be excessive and has stated the builder must address it by the end of August.

79

David Wilson Homes / Aggressive Salesmanship

« Last Post by ChelseaStroller on July 02, 2023, 10:36:26 am »

Greetings
I'm about to complete on the sale of my house and will be moving into rented until November which is the proposed completion date of my DWH new build.
I've reserved the house and DWH are very aggressive and are pressing me to exchange on the purchase and pay the 10% deposit even though it's completion is months away.
They made it their business to find out the schedule of my sale which strictly speaking was none of their business because the chain ended with my sale.
So I'm about to become a cash buyer but I'm not sure that I want to exchange on the purchase until nearer the completion date but I'm wondering if DWH will cancel the reservation agreement and put it back on the market. Has anyone else had a similar experience?
I want the house but the whole thing is so one sided.

80

Persimmon Homes / Re: New build brickwork

« Last Post by New Home Expert on July 01, 2023, 11:12:28 am »

Being in the building industry and yet buying a Persimmon new home?
Didn't you read online what they are like, so bad they had to get an independent review  carried out which was damning.

To answer your question, yes the brickwork looks bad and yes if you have 35mm perp joints this is unacceptable.
But what can you do now? You have Exchanged and you either lose your 10% deposit or you buy this house.
Persimmon can tart it up a bit, cleaning the mess with brick acid, but this could mean your mortar is weakened and it falls out over the next 2 years. Try getting that sorted under the warranty!

Worse of all, your home is being built by a site manager that thinks this is acceptable "nothing wrong"

All you can do is write a letter to the Managing Director at Persimmon's regional office (or get your solicitor to write it - I hope you haven't also used a solicitor recommended by Persimmon!)  informing them in no uncertain terms, you will not be legally completing on this house until you are 100% happy with the brickwork, that is, it is built to a reasonable standard.

Please expect more horrors when you see inside your "finished home" for the first time.
Please do get this house professional snagged and inspected before you legally complete!

Assuming you reserved after 4 October 2022, you can make use of the New Homes Ombudsman Service which will force Persimmon to sort out all the defects.  You must complain to the NHOS before the end of the 2-year period after you legally complete.  If you do, there are a lot of stages to get through before they will accept a complaint.