New Home Owners And Snagging Forum

Advice on buying a brand new home => Snagging and defects => Topic started by: Lukeuk on May 16, 2016, 06:50:31 pm

Title: Manhole half on steps
Post by: Lukeuk on May 16, 2016, 06:50:31 pm
Hi. I'm hoping you can help me please.

I have just come back from looking at my new build after exchanging contracts and I have noticed they have placed a manhole half on my raised front step and half on the the front garden. It looks absolutely terrible.   If it was all on the steps then I could disguise it but it's impossible go with it being half on and half off.

The sales lady said it can't be moved but I wouldn't trust her as she has already been caught out lying.

I wonder if There are any guidelines from NHBC.

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks.
Title: Re: Manhole half on steps
Post by: New Home Expert on May 18, 2016, 08:53:10 am
First of all who is the housebuilder? 
The whole purpose of this forum is to provide information resource to others and warn potential buyers of the pitfalls of buying from certain house builders.

My opinion is that all drainage access points should be on hard landscaping ie paths.
They should never be partly on a path and partly in soft landscaping like grass or borders as you say 'half and half'.

Obviously something can be done. No one has died! 
The sales advisor is no construction expert or guru!  Just determined to be obstructive and unhelpful!
It is just a matter of time, cost and a desire for happy customers.
I would point out that unless it is moved so it is not 'half and half', you will definitely be giving the builder a bad survey score with a NO to question 1!

As for NHBC standards the only requirement is that they must not straddle a boundary or under a fence (no access, cover can't be lifted)

House builder's staff are not allowed to lie or mislead buyers, Not only is it against Consumer Law (http://www.brand-newhomes.co.uk/consumer-protection-regulations.htm), it also breaches requirements of the Consumer Code for Home Builders (http://www.brand-newhomes.co.uk/consumer-code.htm) which you should have been given a copy of!