Kier Group / West Mercia Housing

[Andy_R]

Well it looks like I'm the first one here. As I understand the corporate structure at Kier, they mostly build for shared ownership, and have different names for different regional companies, and the Midlands part (called Kier Residential) has been swallowed up by another division - so it might be better to rename this forum "Kier Group" now. The reason I'm not sure about this is that Kier don't seem to know either. I was trying to compare the price of my (shared ownership) house with a similar one that's not shared ownership, and it turns out that despite lots of big Kier banners all over the place, head office don't know about the site at all, the houses here have been pulled from the estate agent, and the sales office on site is permanently empty. The upshot is, that while the houses appear to be for sale, nobody is actually selling them, which might explain why only 3 of 35 are occupied!

Anyway, on to my experience. A month after moving in, it's still a building site, and I'm woken by JCBs driving past at 8am every day except Sunday - but to be fair I was aware of this before we moved in.

Snagging has been a mixed bag so far. There was a lot wrong, but a lot has been fixed, often almost instantly by having a quick chat with a passing brickie/plumber/electrician. One major problem (no shower in the bathroom) has dragged on for nealy month now, but this seems due to communication issues between the builder (Kier) and the housing association I'm sharing ownership with (West Mercia Homes). I'm supposed to report promlems to a third party (Nexus Housing) who manage the development for West Mercia, and were supposed to talk to Kier... the upshot is that I was stuck for a while with Kier saying they needed a written instruction from West Mercia, West Mercia saying talk to Nexus Nexus saying they had sent one, Kier saying that cant tell us if they got one because they only talk to their client West Mercia etc, etc.

I havent really got to the bottom of where communications broke down, but the upshot is that I am on good terms with the site manager, and now the messages have started going through. Kier have promised to go ahead and fit the shower that was on the plans I bought the house from, but not the ones they were using to build the house.

I'll add to this as other issues get fixed (or not, I'm on my third promised date for sealing the window frames properly, and the wonky gas pipe arrangement is not yet agreed as somethingto fix), but my impression of Kier is that the on site people are very helpful, and are genuinely keen to quickly put things right, especially when word gets round that anyone working on our house gets offered tea and coffee!

[marksabennett]

just wondered if all your snagging is put right yet i have a shared ownership property that i brought in february 2008 and still have outstanding work incomplete, and as for the windows i have mould growing all round mine so I can fully understand and comiserate with you. West mercia have also passed and played me like the problems you had passing me from pillar to post when i brought my property from them direct.

mark

[jaimeontour]

Kier...unqualified....dont like em...at all..

[Josie]

Well, what can I say - Legal action now happening in the Court of Session in Edinburgh taken against Kier Homes Caledonia Ltd - just another one of the Kier Group companies - oH and also against the NHBC - Surprised anyone?!
It would be helpful to let everyone know it is not always the work that builders happily put right for you, apparently quickly and efficiently - its the hidden defects that needs to be done that you dont know about at first glance that's the real problem and can often be covered up by the 'snagging' patch ups!

[SteveF]

Originally Posted by Josie

Well, what can I say - Legal action now happening in the Court of Session in Edinburgh taken against Kier Homes Caledonia Ltd - just another one of the Kier Group companies - oH and also against the NHBC - Surprised anyone?!
It would be helpful to let everyone know it is not always the work that builders happily put right for you, apparently quickly and efficiently - its the hidden defects that needs to be done that you dont know about at first glance that's the real problem and can often be covered up by the 'snagging' patch ups!

I have very recent experience of this where the ---- have not pursued the builder with regards rectifying non compliance with both Building Regulations and their own standards.

SteveF

[Josie]

Hi Steve - any info that can help? Had the added problem that our solicitor withdrew from the action after sisting the cause to allow the builder more time ?! ... leaving us without legal representation and nearly automatically losing the case simply because we didnt know what to do next.

I am now becoming a little bit more familiar with how the court action works however having to do it all myself and deflect everything thats being thrown at us is pretty draining - although we believe our case is rock solid against both the builder and the NHBC. You would not beleive the tricks that have been pulled. So if you can help in any way we would be most grateful. Cannot post too many details because of the action in Court. Thanx

[SteveF]

Originally Posted by Josie

Hi Steve - any info that can help? Had the added problem that our solicitor withdrew from the action after sisting the cause to allow the builder more time ?! ... leaving us without legal representation and nearly automatically losing the case simply because we didnt know what to do next.

I am now becoming a little bit more familiar with how the court action works however having to do it all myself and deflect everything thats being thrown at us is pretty draining - although we believe our case is rock solid against both the builder and the NHBC. You would not beleive the tricks that have been pulled. So if you can help in any way we would be most grateful. Cannot post too many details because of the action in Court. Thanx

Hi Josie

Trust me i know just about every trick in the book.....

SteveF