NHBC Guidance

[willyj]

Don’t be fobbed off by the builders claiming that the contents of the NHBC Standards are “guidance” as that is a misrepresentation.

The first chapter of the Standards states the Technical Requirements, which are printed in red and MUST be met by the builder.

The following chapters then set out the “guidance” which, if followed, will satisfy the Technical Requirements. If the guidance is not followed the builder must be able to demonstrate that he has satisfied the Technical Requirements by alternative means. What it does NOT mean is that he can ignore the guidance altogether.

If you are told that something in the Standards is “only guidance” you should immediately ask how the Technical Requirements have been met.

All the layman house buyer needs to be aware of are the Technical Requirements:

R1 Statutory requirements
Work shall comply with all relevant
Building Regulations and other statutory
requirements relating to the completed
construction work

R2 Design requirement
Design and specification shall provide
satisfactory performance

R3 Materials requirement
All materials, products and building
systems shall be suitable for their
intended purpose

R4 Workmanship requirement
All work shall be carried out in a proper,
neat and workmanlike manner

R5 Structural design requirement
Structural design shall be carried out by suitably
qualified persons in accordance with British
Standards and Codes of Practice


From the above it should be quite clear that if you encounter a problem with your new house there is a very good chance that the Technical Requirements have not been met.

[Tony]

Great post Willy, I'll sticky it.

In terms of building regulations items also need to be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. I know of a case where the fire doors on a large number of houses on one estate did not comply because they had not been installed according to the instructions. This was something that sounded very trivial and if I remember correctly the wrong type of screws has been used to attach the door. I guess it would probably make little difference in practice but it was simply a case that that configuration had not been tested against the relevant standards.

Tony

[willyj]

Thanks for that Tony

I have also come across a case in which the builder told a client that floor screeds where not covered by the NHBC Standards.

He may well have missed the very brief mention of floor screeds in the Standards in Chapter 8.3 D (e) which refers to BS 8204 In situ flooring.

BS8204 tells you all you could possibly ever want to know about laying screed.

[Tony]

BS8204 sounds like an interesting read... : )

Despite these standards houses are still getting signed off by the NHBC that shouldn't be - Poor work and still not finished

Funny how it is the end of the financial year.

Tony

[Chuck Sidfrum]

Are the NHBC Standards (both technical part and guidance part) availble in electronic form to download?

Currently NHBC have claimed unlevel floors (double NHBC guidance value) are not a defect, but snagging. Leaks are not a defect but snagging, badly fitted door frames with gaps so big the lock don't reach the keep are not a defect but snagging etc etc.