Scotia - Squeeking Floorboards - Where Do I Stand?

[pr1mate]

Scotia Homes New Build Property Earls Walk, Grange, Perthshire, Scotland.

Purchased 'Bungalow' mid last year 2006. Amongst the normal snagging list prior to moving in was the problem of squeeking floorboards throughout the house. This was listed on the snagging list.

Was anything done by Scotia about the problem prior to moving in? No.

Moved in and carpets laid. Did the problem settle? No.

Scotia still have not sent a written explanation as to what is causing the problem. According to the site foreman the floor is a 'floating floor'. Floorboards sitting on top of compacted insulation foam. The problem appears to be that there are no wooden struts for the boards to sit on threfore the entire floor is 'floating' and squeeking badly.

I do not exaggerate when I say the noise is awful.

approx 5 months later Scotia lift my carpets and hammer in approx 500 150ml rawlplugs through the floorboards and insulation into the concrete base throughout the house.

This did not fix the problem so they came back and again lifted my carpets and tried 200ml long rawlplugs without success.

Where do I stand? Wherever I stand the flooring squeeks. This is a serious flaw. The first 10 houses in the development have had the same problem. Subsequently all new houses being built have had the flooring desgn altered and now have wooden struts/batons supporting the floorboards.

Scotia have not returned my correspondance and the foreman is suggesting they have done all they can to resolve the problem without lifing and replacing the floor with all this entails. Where do I stand?

Should I have a structural survey carried out and go to my solicitor?

Scotia have been awful in attending to my snagging generally. Has anyone else had problems with them?

[Tony]

This would drive me mad. It seems that they have admitted liability and have tried to put it right. However, this has been unsuccessful so I would ask them to replace the floor and install it correctly like the newer properties.

Tell them about all the television programmes that are looking for case studies, it might do the trick if they are reluctant.

I hope this helps

Tony

[Tony]

Just one other thing, you do not need a structural survey. A survey from a flooring expert would be better and cheaper. It would be advisable to talk to your solicitor, but see if they are willing to replace the first.

Tony