'"> ');

Author Topic: Stud Wall Advise - Overheard conversation with builders  (Read 8231 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

pezza371887

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2
Stud Wall Advise - Overheard conversation with builders
« on: November 26, 2018, 09:00:53 pm »
I have recently bought a new build in Hampshire with my wife. We are currently having our 10 days snags completed, one of them being the squeaky floor in our daughter's bedroom.

I managed to capture a conversation via our daughter's baby monitor while i was at work.

Some extracts from the audio are:

Quote
"this house type are all timber buttress walls. This ONE there is no timber buttress walls. Bit of joist movement, bit of metal on the joist, everythings dried out init. Lets not do f**king metal under there again, you have to do metal under there, it's a metal stud wall.

Every house like this is the same, this is the only one without timber buttress walls. Have timber buttress walls like I asked for, they came back to you and they said there is none in there. No ply under there or nothing not even the metal structural stuff, non load bearing."

Then they basically start talking about another one of their sites and how crap it is as they have also done it there.

They say its 60mm and the other builders use 75mm. They also start arguing about all the other houses have timber stud on the site and none have this issue. Then I can overhear them saying about its due to cutting costs etc.

I wanted to know from anyone if possible:

1) should it say anywhere it should have timber or metal or can they decide?
2) how should I proceed with this recording
3) why would my house be the only one on the site with a metal stud wall

any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.


New Home Expert

  • Global Moderator
  • Guru member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1625
  • Country: england
  • Expert advice for new home buyers
    • New Home Blog
Re: Stud Wall Advise - Overheard conversation with builders
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2018, 08:31:35 am »
There is nothing wring with metal stud walls. In fact if done correctly, they are much better than timber stud walls in my opinion, straighter. flatter, and don't shrink or rot.

The problem I think they are talking about relates to the time floor joists and how they are installed.

What your recording does reveal is that there is a problem and these two aren't going to be the people that fix it properly. Send a copy to the builder's regional office and ask for their comments and clarifications.
New Home Blog - New Home Expert is committed to providing help and advice for people having issues with their new homes and difficulties with house builders as well as helping potential buyers reduce the risk of possible problems if they do buy.


pezza371887

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2
Re: Stud Wall Advise - Overheard conversation with builders
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2018, 07:42:50 pm »
Thanks for your reply.

One of the guys in the room is the person that looks after the forward builds. The other I think must be involved in the builds or his manager as once they discovered what it was he called him to come look. The other guy talking about the other houses is the guy doing the repair.

They do seem to have cured the squeaky floor which was a pain but I'm concerned how permanent a fix it is as I think they have just packed under the walls. It also sounded like they moved some sort of metal away from the head track or joists.

Do you know if they would have had to follow a design that says it should have timber or steel or can they choose what they want?

I didn't know whether to ask the guy who looks after the forward builds in the convo and also the site manager over to discuss and play it them or like you say forward it direct to the builder? Not sure if that then gives them chance to come up with an excuse.

It's just so typical that I buy the only house on the site that has been built differently from the sounds of it due to cutting costs. What takes the Micky a bit more is our plot is more expensive than our next door neighbour's and the one's opposite of the same house type.

I'm happy to send you a private link so you can listen yourself as I have shortened the conversation and not complete if you want. PM me or let me know your email and can send you the links.

Cheers

New Home Expert

  • Global Moderator
  • Guru member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1625
  • Country: england
  • Expert advice for new home buyers
    • New Home Blog
Re: Stud Wall Advise - Overheard conversation with builders
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2018, 07:41:53 am »
As I said, my advice is to send a copy of your recording to the regional office MD and ask them your questions.
New Home Blog - New Home Expert is committed to providing help and advice for people having issues with their new homes and difficulties with house builders as well as helping potential buyers reduce the risk of possible problems if they do buy.

PercyMann7

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6
  • Country: 00
Re: Stud Wall Advise - Overheard conversation with builders
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2018, 03:05:34 pm »
Hi
If the information you got from the tape is correct, at some point a structural engineer will have specified a buttress stud wall and some sort of specialist screw/bolt fixing to connect the internal wall to the external wall.

This is rare but can be needed in large detached houses (usually with a square footprint ) to maintain the stability of the external masonry walls. The metal stud size mentioned will not do the job. A larger than normal timber stud with plywood to one or both sides is normally specified. You will need to employ a structural engineer to check whatever the builder says to you in response.
Percy