Cracking External Render - Scotia Homes

[ottoboxer]

Hi

I have read a few posts regarding rendering issues. We bought a Scotia house in Aberdeen in 2004 and within the 2 year period we noticed and reported cracking in the render at front and rear of the property. Contacted builder who came out and inspected cracks but offered a repair which involved chipping out the local area and hand filling. Not convinced with this went to NHBC who came out but not much help suggested take builders offer for local repairs which I agreed to for the rear of the house only so I could gauge say in a years time how it looked.

Anyway the repair is visible some 50m away so no way do I want this at the front. Back to NHBC as during some heavy wind and rain was getting water dripping down from top of window just where the worst crack is.

To cut the story short after further visits from NHBC first NHBC guy got wrong idea of the construction but second guy did correct report and issued notice for repair but this would only be a localised patch which I will not accept.

In our estate some 15 to 20 properties have had various elevations i.e. whole front, whole rear and in some cases both re render completely. There is another house currently being repaired as I write this.

I have written to Scotia threatening the small claims court and they responded that they will defend any such action. I now wish to purse the small claims but I am worried that if I do lose the claim they may try and claim costs. Or would I only lose my £70 fee for making a claim? My claim will be for a third party to re render front and rear if small claims

I was thinking of getting an independent report anyone know who does this and obviously a quote for the re render works, any recommendations? It is the principle that they have set a precedence in carrying out so many repairs why not mine.

Any advice appreciated. Kevin

[SteveF]

Hi Kevin

My advice would be to allow the builder to carry out the repair as directed by the NHBC as this is in compliance with the terms of the NHBC Warranty. Monitor the situation and only accept the completed work if it complies with the standards set out by the NHBC.

SteveF