Builders painted Sandstone- instead of repair

[cp_11]

Going through snagging issues with our current builder and would appreciate some insight into the below and whether this is an acceptable standard/practice or me just being overly critical?

The house we have purchased is primarily red brick with the lower half of the house being larger sandstone slabs and decorative ones around windows, doors etc.

We informed the builder that a number of the bricks had corners missing (clearly shouldn’t have been put up in the first place) .

The builders resolution, we have just discovered has been to come back (fix corners in whatever method they have cement/filler?) but to then hide this repair they painted a row of the sandstone to try and blend this in which in my opinion looks absolutely terrible, especially as there is a

• Still predominantly non paint/normal sandstone which clearly shows what it should look like and makes the paint even more noticeable on top of it having no texture and look cheap
• Has wonky paint line which bricks just would not have (both onto the grout and below the actual brick line)
• sides of bricks that stick out not painted so looks terrible
• Left dried muck on the brick and have just painted over it.

I wanted to ask anyone better informed than me if:

A- Painting the sandstone is a reasonable or expected fix or whether they should have replaced the blocks

B- With NHBC or any other part do we have any standpoint to ask them to replace the painted blocks?


My view is that the:

Other identical houses have not been painted therefore neither should ours.
This has been an easier/cheaper cover up than replacing the couple of bricks with issues - however will add to our long term maintenance of the paint and brickwork.
At the end of the day the house we are purchasing is brick and sandstone facing therefore painting this isn't delivering what was promised.

Again any views/help would be really appreciated

[Maxell]

It is quite common for repairs to be filled and painted, however it is usually done by a surface finisher.
They mask and paint the stone then sand blast to give a texture to the surface. If done well they can match both the colour and texture of the surrounding stone work.
I would say your builder has got the site painter to have a go at it. I would not be happy with it .

Regards Maxell

[New Home Expert]

It should not have been damaged in the first place.

The photo showing the paint all over the outside light fitting tells us all we need to know except the builder's name!

As Maxwell says, it is possible for the areas made good with a special manufacturer's repair kit which is colour matched and then a specialist brick doctor could paint tint in any colour matching.  If done properly (and yours has not been) most people would be hard pressed to see which were made good and which (if any) were not.

Do not accept this.  Replacing the damaged blocks which are manufactured, not real sandstone, is no guarantee that it would look any better given the lack of care your home has been built with.

[cp_11]

Thank you both for the reply, really is appreciated!

So in general the view is
1. It should not have been damaged in the first place and painted in that manner (should have been the more professional process you both described above if it was required) - End of the day the majority of bricks painted had no issue…The one or 2 damaged ones could have been fixed/replaced instead.

2. In your views I am not being unreasonable and that the paint is an unacceptable standard and not to be happy with it.

Apologies but the next question is - do I have to accept it or do I have a strong case to ask them to redo the bricks and do you think the builder will even entertain this or palm me off now that they have made a mock of it by painting it?

I'm worried they will just chalk it up to, that’s its purely visual and that’s within their power to change as they will not want to replace brick work.

Should I challenge them on this and  Do I have any parties I can lean on to get them to resolve it e.g NHBC standards etc?

Apologies just realised I didn't give you the name of the builder- The builder is Avant Homes.

Cheers again for all the help everyone - it really means a lot!

[New Home Expert]

Now I know it is Avant Homes, basically I think you are screwed.
They have a dreadful reputation for both poor build quality and customer service when defects are reported.

That said, you must write to the CEO of Avant Homes. Send him copies of your photos and tell him the work quality is an unacceptable bodge job. You never know he may even agree!
Once they have given you the run around, make a claim under your warranty.
This too will fail as it is snagging and not a warranty defect but the NHBC may instruct Avant to carry out remedial works.
Be aware also this may involve painting all the stone so it matches and damage is filled. This then would be an ongoing maintenance for you and future owners.

One you have exhausted everything, write to your MP and demand that the Statutory New Homes Ombudsman, announced by government on 1st October 2018, be set up by the end of this year!