Newhomeblogs.co.uk Comments

Barratt Property 19% Drop by valerie Turner

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:38:35 +0000

I wouldn’t trust any one not with the experience I’ve had with my builders.

Redrow Homes Defect Woes by valerie Turner

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:35:53 +0000

Hi
Just having another RANT over the builders and to let you know how things are going, well where do I start, my builders have offered to pay me off , but the amount they want me to accept, is Unacceptable, I would have to spend it on all the jobs that they are unable to fix, this would mean New Patio doors, New front door and drainage put in at the front door entrance to stop rain from getting in, Creaking floors & stairs,Cracks and so on. ALL THE THINGS I HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR WHEN I BOUGHT THIS NEW HOUSE oh by the way I can still turn to the N H B C !!! What are your thoughts on that, “I know mine but I better not say”. So I guess the fighting with these Builders goes on. I’l be in touch.

Charles Church: My Little House Horror by Joan | Rossendale

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:07:18 +0000

You expect the builders to put everything right on a new home. At least when you buy an older property, you have a survey which flags up any problems and you do know what you are letting yourself in for.
Hope you have been able to sell

Redrow Homes Defect Woes by valerie Turner

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:46:03 +0000

Hi
I used to think that surely the Government should help us and put a stop to all those Builders cutting corners and using cheap materials, but it’s the Government that are pushing the builders to build more houses at affordable prices, so who can we turn to.

Redrow Homes Defect Woes by W

Tue, 08 May 2012 23:52:09 +0000

Thanks for the update Valerie. Hope it all turns out well for you. For anyone else who is having issues please share your experiences here. Maybe we can bring a stronger case against them and help each other. Thanks

Redrow Homes Defect Woes by valerie Turner

Tue, 08 May 2012 22:38:53 +0000

Hi all
I am shocked at the number of people suffering, how can these companies/so called builders get away with this, I worked and saved hard all my life so that when I retired I could down size and have a low maintenance house and be nice and warm in winter, WHAT A BIG MISTAKE.
I HAVE BEEN HERE 2 YEARS NOW AND BOTH WINTERS I HAVE BEEN FREEZING THERE ARE GAPS IN THE FRONT DOOR “WHEN CLOSED & LOCKED and the rain is still getting in, SAME WITH PATIO DOORS AND WINDOW VENTS, I’ll not bore you with any more of my problems but I will let you know how things turn out my Solicitor has threatened court procedures, So So glad I took out higher house and contents Insurance.

They threatened me with court last year because I sat outside the sales office with banners & photo’s stopping every one that was showing interest in their new builds most of them were absolutely shocked at the photo’s and drove away honking their horns and grateful for the warning .

Redrow Homes Defect Woes by W

Tue, 08 May 2012 19:45:01 +0000

Thats right Valerie! i recently found this out too. Although I am yet to call out the NHBC, as the way I see it is, once you call them out and they rule in the builders favor thats pretty much all hopes gone.

New Build Prices Dropped 50% by Jack Sparo

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:57:05 +0000

Don’t let this put you off your self-build project! It’ll come as a surprise to most people that building your own home can often work out cheaper than buying one that’s already built. Not to mention the ability to truly add your own flair to your new home. Check online for great prices on available land for sale here in the UK.

Redrow Homes Defect Woes by valerie Turner

Mon, 07 May 2012 21:29:29 +0000

Hi I forgot to mention that I also found out that the NHBC are not an independent company they are funded by the builders & local authorities, thats why Keepmoat always say they will take it to resolution the BUILDERS use them as a safety net, I’ve had the NHBC twice and both times it was the builders who requested them to come, “I WONDER WHY”!!
Valerie Turner

Redrow Homes Defect Woes by W

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:02:22 +0000

Sarah,

I stumbled upon this post while trying to find some information on how to fix problems in my Redrow home. I bought my Redrow house last year, left a reservation fee around october 2011, which was due for completion around late Dec 2011 but i had always gave them the all the time they needed to finish the house. The keys were handed over in mid-late Jan 2012. Despite me giving them as much time as they needed and made this a point at the very beginning and they knew that it was no rush as long as the house is ready, near completion, things were far from satisfactory:- Brush marks all over the walls, sockets not straight, loose floor fittings, dirty mastic, scratched windows, doors not closing properly the list goes on they assured that things arent finished. However, when i collected my keys things werent that much different, I can accept these as snags but just got the feelng that the house was rushed!

Never mind those things…. onto faults that are of more concern, none of the windows/cut out were straight, uneven walls, squeaky/cracking noises on floors/ceilings, noisey walls (when you walk by them). They came back to fix some floor noises and cut the floors up and make it uneven , you tell them of it, then they say you shouldnt be able to feel that, fill it with some glue and say its sorted but it isnt, as a result you can feel how uneven it is when you walk across it! They tried to attent to other areas like windows and plastering works but this took many attempts and i still ahve this problem today! Funny thing was they sent this guy round who admitted to me he is not a plasterer by trade but was plastering areas of my house which looked worse after he finished! They sent a plumber round to fix some issues with my boiler but he sat there in confusion and asked me what the problem was at that point i asked him to leave and get breifed!

The cracking noises in walls\floors and ceiling is caused when someone walks upstairs and you can hear it below, it was found they had to screw the ceiling up to the joists! Guess what? that only fixed a little bit in the kitchen ceiling but wouldnt say its acceptable, they tried to do the same thing in the living room but has had no difference.

I wasnt happy about this and made them aware and then they sent this old man round with the customer service and sit team. He was the so called ‘Construction Director’ he basically came in all guns blazing and werent fixing my problems! Onefunny thing I should let you know is that i had this window bay area which does not conform with NHBC standards i pointed this out. He said that he does not see it a problem and isnt going to fix it, despite the fact that I showed him how it does not comply with NHBC standards which he so clearly stated that they build to! In regards to the floor noises etc he said he has seen worse and this isnt actually that bad.

It was made clear that they werent fixing anything and that I would have to contact the NHBC.

So Sarah, my advice is please dont buy a house from these guys, they are very unprofessional and make you feel as if you are at fault and a nuisance for asking them to recitfy problems they clearly caused!

It’s Finished (Well Nearly…) by valerie Turner

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:37:00 +0000

Hi,
My snagging day was the day before moving in and it was done with the site Manager, my sister was with me and we pointed out a lot of things not done properly he had the water hose on in the rear garden so couldn’t get to see much,but I did notice that the water was not draining away from the patio doors so I ask him why this was, he replied “oh that’s ok me darling it will drain away, it didn’t and the reason being there was no drainage put in.” AND HE SAID HE DIDN’T LIKE CALLING IT SNAGGING LIST ( IT WAS DEMO DAY)
After a few days of being in my new house i received the snagging list form that it should have filled in, guess what he put NIL. I am very unhappy with my new home a 5 year old could have done a much better job.

Compensation denied and a nasty letter by david merrick

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:56:56 +0000

i brouht a sherborune in beverley east york i am currently have problems with drains because of poor workmanship in backfilling excavations the ground has sunk taking the drains with it.i am a oap so cannot afford the t he expence of having the damage rectified.i dont think the people in your advert would be very happy smiling if they were in my possition.D MERRICK HU178YP 20 MACE VIEW

Looks like I’m not the only person who’s had problems with Crest by Huw Jenkins

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:58:22 +0000

I have just created a blog specifically about issues with Crest Nicholson. I am using it to gather names of everyone that has been affected by their poor workmanship and cusotmer services.

Updates by Katherine

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:30:03 +0000

Am looking at a Redrow development in Ipswich and am a bit scared now! Can you advise what the hidden charges are and what questions I should ask before signing on the dotted line or should I jsut look elsewhere??!

New Home Guide: Top snagging tips by The First-Time Home Buyer Guide: 100 Must-Read Blog Posts | Construction Management Degree

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 06:11:48 +0000

[...] [...]

We have been in our Redrow “House From Hell” for 16 months by spence

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:57:22 +0000

omg

New Home Guide: Top snagging tips by Tony

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:57:29 +0000

Mr Snagger, Craig does not work for New Build Inspections he is a writer… http://craigalanwilliamson.com/

NHBC Report by kate

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:04:47 +0000

NHBC? An absolute joke. You will spend months phoning and writing and in the end they will take the builders side. Their ‘inspectors’ don’t even read the case notes before they arrive on site. It’s a licence for shoddy work

NHBC Report by Ray Chapman

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:00:27 +0000

I am also at loggerheads with the NHBC who are just backsliders as far as I am concerned. I have pursued these useless idiots for months and got nowhere.
Does any know, can anybody recommend a good solicitor who is prepared to take them on for me? Any suggestions and I will be eternally grateful

New Home Guide: A list of hidden costs by mr snagger

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:46:15 +0000

You forgot sofa, bed, kitchen table, ready made family, dog and how could i forget, HAPPINESS!!!

You dont buy a caravan and expect to get a car in the deal for free. Get real!!!

New Home Guide: Top snagging tips by mr snagger

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:39:25 +0000

You should be ashamed of yourself for taring all sites with the same brush and for promoting your company off the back of it.

A house is never going to be perfect as it is not a machined product and teething troubles are, in most cases a part of the process. It is how they are dealt with that is of importance.

Houses are built in all weather conditions and have water added to mortar, plaster, paint etc. The water has to evaporate and this can cause shirinkage of door linings, cracking on stairs etc, etc.

Lots of new build houses are of good quality and have a great deal of love built in. So please do not let the doubters put you off! Meet the manager and ask to look around some finished houses.

Of all the people to decide if you should buy a new house off a certain developer, there is no better judge than you!!!

NHBC Report by Fred

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:58:23 +0000

Hi, if you read the standards document carefully, you will notice in the introduction that the guidelines provide best practice etc etc.

However, crucially, it also states that deviation from the guidelines is acceptable ***by prior consultation and evaluation***. You could try and argue that as no consultation / evaluation has been undertaken between the builder and the NHBC then the guidelines should be followed.

The NHBC will try and claim that the builders dont have to follow the guidelines. Personally I don’t think this stands up and I feel that the NHBC don’t understand their own standards documents properly.

If you can find anything in the building regulations, the NHBC technical requirements require that the build conforms to all building regs…. this would put you in a strong position.

Good luck anyone dealing with the NHBC, no a pleasant experience.

Moving In by toby10

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:49:49 +0000

After reading some of the stories on this blog I think I will avoid buying a newbuild altogether. at least with older houses you expect things not to be perfect

More snag photos by John Savage

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:35:03 +0000

Hi Nik,
I hope this is all in the distant past now and you are happy in your home. It seems others have had similar experiences more recently (See Shoddy Home Saga at http://www.crestnicholson.org) and it took a lot of effort and publicity to get Crest Nicholson to take remedial action!

John

FLOOD! Ground floor flooded by faulty stop cock by Bill Saint

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:16:47 +0000

Hi Craig.,

Just loved your story about the disaster.

Regretably..its not that uncommom, stopcocks more ofetn seize up. so although they7 miught not acsue the leak.. the sisezed stopcok stop you solving thje problem.

It is noty my intenstionm to use you st ory as a blag for my products, but as you say.. had you been away at the itme or even upstairs.. you woulkd not have known for..god know how long.

One of our products ( the Leak Detector ) could just be stood underneth the sink.If it gets wet..; it sounds a siren.. battery operated.. no wiring, no tools, no pipes to cut.. cost about £15.00 good invenstment

Also we have a model which will turn your water off oif thwe waetr flows over and above waht you tell it is the norml tinme ( the AUTO unit ) cost about £70.

Anmy way… if you get time… take a look at the website.http://www.floodcheck.co.uk

Again..Great story.., would you have any objection to me adding a link to your story from our website..I am sure viewers would find it amusing, interesting anmd inmformative.

Bill saint.

Sale Completed by Loretta Peters

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:12:24 +0000

I have read your blog and the others with great interest. It has really made me think long and hard as to whether I want a new build. The problem is I have fe other options.

House Progress by zally & steve

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:19:54 +0000

We are victims of DWH who I have found to have appauling aftercare or in fact any care of the legacy they leave behind when they leave a site. An added complication to our plight with this company is the fact that the house was 2 years old when we purchased it from the first owner. I am not surprised they moved out so soon. The house is like an ice box – later found to have much insulation missing – windows in back to front, door frames that have gaping wholes around them and extractor fans that blow cold air in when the wind blows. Sadly no one cares. The 10 year Zurich Policy covers zilch and Trading Standards say they cannot help as we were not the first purchasers. Beware to all those who buy a second-hand new build is what I say. You are NOT PROTECTED.

Power of the press by The Shalom Family

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:31:21 +0000

Hope everyone does not mind us dropping in on this one. What kind of a company are Crest Nicholson? Well, er, they have been known to act quite immoral at times. Don’t believe it?

Please follow our houseboat eviction saga just a little and you can make up your own mind. ‘Tis a shame really, because some of their ‘executive’, ‘luxury’ Family houses, look like they might be just adequate to make a nice home.

Thanks and best wishes,

Crest Nicholson-Shafted Shalom Family

Power of the press by Sue

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:57:19 +0000

Hello Alex,

I am also supposed to be purchasing a Crest flat in Bristol. I have been unable to sell my current property and have notified Crest that I will be unable to complete. (Completion is supposed to be on Thursday 3rd July – tomorrow!!) I’ve been writing to them for the past few months with concerns about selling my property. Last week they agreed to recind the contract.

However, I received a phone call on 30th June saying they won’t recind the contract after all. I’m not sure what’s going to happen now, as there’s no way I can complete tomorrow! They asked if I would accept a part exchange, but still haven’t told me what they would offer me for my house.

As the same flat is now being advertised for £50k less than it was advertised at when I agreed to purchase (and less than I still have outstanding to pay!), I don’t want to complete now either. I know I will loose my deposit, but that’s less than the £50k I’d loose by moving there.

I am now really worried about what’s going to happen. Is anyone else in the same position as me?

Thanks,

Sue

Home Demonstration by Alex

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:19:12 +0000

Hello Lewis

I am in the process of buying a house from Crest Nicholson in Somerset. Considering the fall in the housing market, one would expect the Crest to reduce the house prices. This does not seem to be the case. In your experience, what is the ideal way to go about doing this.

As a previous customer, would you recommend Crest as a good company to buy the house from?

Thanks

Alex

Power of the press by Alex

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:16:40 +0000

Hello Nik

As a previous customer, would you recommend Crest as a good company to buy the house from?

Thanks

Alex

That’s odd by Alex

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:13:03 +0000

Hello Nik

The Fairview “premium” experience by Unfairview

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:05:43 +0000

I agree with Tony that this should take pride of place next to Fairview Homes on Google.

I don’t know where to start with Fairview. I am still dealing with them on a number of matters on my house and have had 17 months of torment with them so far. I will provide you with a month by month account of my experiences.
it started with the ‘sell’. This was a high pressure event with the sales team continually harassing us for the sale, threatening to let the house go to other interested parties unless the deal was completed to tight deadlines. My advice to buyers is to negotiate very hard on price and do not succumb to this pressure, which was, as we found out later, completely fictitious. They told us things about the property which turned out later to be untrue. Watch this space for the next thrilling installment. Things get worse….much worse.

It always takes a bit longer doesn’t it….. by Carl Duncker

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:21:00 +0000

Hopefully, now that Home Information Packs, or HIPs, are required for new build properties you will be able to see the title plan at a much earlier stage – hopefully shortening the solicitors time.

House Progress by Morag Hoolachan

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:00:07 +0000

I see your blog dates back to 2006 and I am so happy that you have had good service from David Wilson Homes. However we have had APPALLING service from them since we (FINALLY) moved in on November 19 2007. Since then we have had the house virtually rebuilt from the inside out while living in it, recovering from major surgery and our daughter studying for her finals at university. Perhaps we are talking about a different David Wilson Homes???

Moving In by spursbabe

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:17:23 +0000

We also have a george wimpey home well is supposed to be our home but have had workmen in over 70 days already and still lots more snagging to go. It is disgusting they are allowed to get away with such shoddy work. They come back to fix bodged work and bodge it even more NHBC delay and delay not getting very far with them they asked for the builder to submit reports which have never been done or chased up.
has anyone our there sued wimpey or got any other suggestions to get them to sort the problems properly.
many thanks

New Build Inspection! by Chris Sparrow

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:31:08 +0000

I used New Build Inspections. What a change it made to the builder’s attitidue!

Home Demonstration by Chris Sparrow

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:50:16 +0000

I bought a Redrow home and had many problems getting my small faults ammended. This was mostly my fault because I seem to have a problem understanding builders jargon. I then called in the professional snaggers who on my behalf quickly heped resolve my issues in a very professional and swift way. THANKS GUYS!

The story so far… by Nik Clayton’s Crest Nicholson Home | New Homes

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:59:29 +0000

[...] a new Crest Nicholson Homes property. He started blogging in April 2005 and here is an extract from his first blog post: “So we’ve been looking around for the past couple of weeks and think we’ve found a style of [...]

If at first you don’t succeed… by Keeping abreast of things | Crest Nicholson

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:01:52 +0000

[...] described in an earlier entry, kicking off the process of taking Crest Nicholson to court has got them to move a little [...]

Exchanged!! by Anonymous

Sun, 24 Dec 2006 10:34:26 +0000

There needs to be legislation in UK[ England, Wales ] to improve the way properties are bought or sold ;no commitment till contracts are exchanged is not right; I found a nice house in Nov. 2003 only to here in Feb 2004 thet the vendor does not wish to proceed with sale;
then in March 2006 i found a house where again the vendor was supposed to move into a house being built; the vendor could not get enough replies from the builder so i was told & he then took off the house from market in Dec.2005 i was buying, three years yet no house in sight

Exchanged!! by mike

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 14:09:31 +0000

I am moving onto Kennet Heath aswell hopefully, Redrow are now being very aggressive to exchange in the 28 days which with our chain might be difficult. In your experience are they they genuine abotu or bluffing a bit.

It always takes a bit longer doesn’t it….. by Tim

Sat, 21 Jan 2006 23:08:57 +0000

If you would take the time to read our story and maybe sign our petition we’d be really grateful.

We spent today picketing a George Wimpey Homes Sales Office just outside Southampton. The residents there have had to start up their own Association to fight George Wimpey as they all have so many problems! The Site isn’t even half sold!

Moving In by Tim

Sat, 21 Jan 2006 23:06:19 +0000

If you would take the time to read our story and maybe sign our petition we’d be really grateful.

We were and are very symathetic to them and any one else who has similar problems with this greedy developer! This company doesn’t know the meaning of Customer Care!!!

A policy of not allowing snagging??! HUH??!! by Janet

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 12:04:14 +0000

Was most interested in reading Sharyn’s comments regarding Laing builders not allowing “snagging.” Would love to know final outcome (did the “snagging” take place and was the flat OK?)

A confusing letter or just me being slow? by Sharyn

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 09:25:40 +0000

Hi Gary, well Laing builds to building regulations criteria which has a minimum on noise ‘pollution’.

They put in the required level of insulation which protects against noise transfer and apparently if they do that, then the NHBC inspector won’t need to test the noise level. If they don’t, then the inspector is supposed to test it using some vibrating machine. He’ll go to the next apartment and the one above/ below to check out if he can hear the machine. If he can, then he won’t pass the building for NHBC guarantee. I mean, this is really hearsay from Laing themselves and assumes NHBC really are that conscientious about it.

I would ask the developer of your building about it, what they are doing as to noise pollution. Maybe you could tell me if they say the same thing.

We’ve been gazumped by Nik Clayton

Mon, 04 Jul 2005 08:56:28 +0000

Depending on how much hassle you want to raise you might want to get your solicitor to look over the contract that you and the Esprit representative signed.

Once they’ve made an offer (the part exchange) and you’ve accepted it (by paying them the 1,000) there should (if I remember correctly) be a contract in place. They might be trying to weasel out of it by returning the money and hoping that you don’t kick up too much of a fuss.

BLOG CABIN FEVER by Rachael

Sun, 03 Jul 2005 14:47:15 +0000

Hi Nik! Thanks for the encouragement! But see my latest post today – we have been gazumped. We are really disappointed as we have been looking for the right house in the right place since February, and this was the first one that actually ticked all our boxes. Yes your blog has been very interesing and inspiring, it’s really helpful to know that someone else is going through similar things isn’t it. Good luck with your own purchase – it looks like you are nearing the finishing line now – well done! Rachael

BLOG CABIN FEVER by nik

Thu, 30 Jun 2005 01:20:25 +0000

Hi Rachael, welcome to the throng. Good luck with the move.

It sounds like your situation is similar to mine, so I hope the info I’ve been putting down in my blog proves useful. This is probably your most powerful time as the buyer. They want your money, and should be prepared to do more to get it.

That’s odd by John

Fri, 20 May 2005 23:11:39 +0000

Well Nik,

usualy the valuations that are carried out by an Estate Agent on behalf of a developer are not normaly disclosed to the homeowner. The reason that the Agent measured up is that he was hoping to win the instruction from the developer assuming the property was bought in and doing the measurements now would save time in the long run.

I have many years experience as an Agent and also have worked for several National Housebuilders happily I can say Persimmon were not one of them

Soliciting by Tony

Sat, 14 May 2005 21:32:52 +0000

You are absolutely right about the conflict of interest and Which? recently recommended that new build buyers do not use the solicitors suggested by the developer. They had a couple of case studies to prove the point.