Ongoing Saga

[bruceycr]

I'm just writing to ask for opinions of our ongoing builder/nhbc saga.

When we moved in (Jul 07) we had a snagging report done and sent to the builder. He dealt with a few of the things (e.g. some silicone sealant around certain parts, some bad pointing outside). However he left some others (faulty balcony door that doesn't open easily - non-working timer on boiler).

We got NHBC involved and they told the builder to fix things. There were some problems getting him in to do it (I was away for 6 months on work as well which was unhelpful), and by th time the builder was supposed to fix it, another (I believe) more major problem had opened up.

Basically I believe the floor is sagging. When we moved in there was little gap between the floor and the skirting. I some parts it is now ~20mm (It is a wood floating floor). There was also noticable ridges due to a lack of ability of the floor to expand. in parts the floor is also not level and dips ~4 mm along a distance of 1m at some points.

To cope with the large skirting gaps the builder suggested wood beading around the room. I think this is covering rather than solving the problem, and this disagreement forced yet more NHBC intervention. They're response was to let the builder try and see if it works. It is actually being done as I speak, but he iattaching the beading to the floor rather than the skirting. Surely this will stop expansion of the floor.

I just have one question - If I were to ask a tradesman to inspect the work - where would his opinion stand with the NHBC - do they even consider it?

Now onto the buckling of the floor - it appears to be partly due to no expansion gap being left where the floor butts against the kitchen cupboards. The builder has now made a gap with an angle grinder (the NHBC said I have to let him try) and it may solve it, but I don't see how it will also solve the levelness of the floor question.

Any advice would be helpful. I'll upload pictures when I can.

Thanks

[Tony]

Hi,

Is it a real wood floor that is rising up? A flooring expert is going to be better than an NHBC generalist, or you could get the professional opinion of a snagging company.

Tony

[zednine]

Hi There Bruce

The NHBC will always say that, they just couldnt care less,

The builder will try to avoid the problem and mask it around the room with quadrant, when really they should investigate it then take the skirting off and re fit ..

Take one bit of advice do let let them fob you off.... they will try..

They (NHBC)told a neighbour of mine that if they came out to inspect the damp at her house, if it was nothing to do with the building they would charge her.... yet we pay for the insurance in the purchase of the property...

[bruceycr]

Yeah - the NHBC do seem to want to not be involved, but the builder has been so evasive and poor they have told me if he doesn't fix it this time they will send one of their own contractors to do it.

However, even if I do get the opinion of a flooring expert (how to find one anyway - will any come and give an opinion?) do NHBC even have to consider it?

[fabianZ]

That's a difficult question, bruce. If you have a written document by the flooring expert you can show it to the NHBC. If they really consider it, that's another question. But that's the thing you can do to prevent further troubles.