Galliford Try

[TP21]

Hi,

This is my first post here, but I am keen to understand what people's experience of Galliford Try have been. There are currently no posts on them specifically, should I take this as a good sign?!

Many thanks,

TP

[willyj]

You would think that this is a good sign, but, unfotunately, there are no hard and fast rules as several factors affect the quality of the finished product. Some examples:-

Unrealistic build programmes. There may have been a realistic build programme that has been affected by other factors, not least the weather. Other possible problems are ground conditions, incomplete design, subcontractors going bust etc................

Unrealistic budget otherwise known as penny pinching.

A rush to get the property finished to achieve 'End of Year Figures' - avoid buying in December and June.

The skill experience and professionalism of site management. There could have been the very best site manager available in charge but if he did not have the back up and support needed then things will go wrong.

The quality of subcontractors used. It is not always wise to go for the cheapest (penny pinching again). The only way a good site manager can get things right is to throw a bad subcontractor off site and thus upset his surveyor whose Christmas Bonus will be affected.

A 'Learning Curve'. The first plots completed will be the ones in which problems will come to light, including all those mentioned above, which should be ironed out as the site progresses so the last plots built will be the best.

There are things you can check. How far has the site progressed? Are there residents already moved in that you could talk to? Is the site manager polite and enthusiastic or does he appear to be under pressure and depressed? Does the same apply to the workers on site? Do all the site workers wear yellow jackets and hard hats? Are there lots of safety and direction signs, is the site office easy to find? Is the sales office easy to find? Is the site well presented, clean and tidy and safe?

If anything you see gives you a bad feeling walk away.

[Tony]

Great advice, it is a simple numbers game. The bigger the developer the more likely there is to be a post here. Barratts and Persimmons have the most as they are the biggest builders

I hope this helps

Tony

[willyj]

Here we have a thread with Gallifford Try's name on it that has no opinion either way. Hope you let us all know how you got on with them, even if it is only good news.
And here I am about to launch into house builders in general:-
How do they get away with some of their advertising blurb?
'Craftsmen Built' !! When there is a skills shortage in the industry
'Reputation for Quality'!?!! Is that a good or bad reputation?
'Lifestyle Choice.'?????????? Somewhere to plonk your bed and home cinema equipment with a small kitchen and no garden.
'Flexible Design'???????????? Partitions that are not structural.
'Bespoke Design'? They had to comply with local planning requirements.
'Attention to Detail' If the site manager has time on his hands.
No inference toward Galliford Try intended

[suemac40]

Hi.
I do have firsthand experience of Galliford Try, and unfortunatley, its not been good.

I own a flat in Orb, Birmingham, which was built 2003. The developers were Wilson Connolly, then Talor Woodrow, but the properties were built by GT. I bought and moved in August 2004. A leak appeared in the bedroom ceiling, rain poured in, and GT investigated quite promptly. They found nothing of note (a small hole, I was told), so replastered the ceiling and left! I should add that there is an open balcony above my bedroom.

Since then, damp patches have appeared on the ceiling whenever there is heavy rainfall, which I have reported numerous times both to GT and to Bryant Homes customer services (they are now servicing the properties), but to no avail, except to send a number of different buildrs to inspect at differing times. I have been informed on 2 separate occasions since then that it was a problem with the upstairs balcony which has been rectified, and another time, that it was some minor problem with some thing else outside also repaired, but it is still leaking! There is now an unsightly and very large mouldy damp patch on the ceiling plus a huge crack in the plaster. Currently, I am waiting for GT to get back to me, but you have to be very persistent as they do not return calls.... very frustrating!

Anyway, i hope this hasn't come too late for you, only found your post today. I should add that there have been numerous other defects in the development causing water ingress into flats via balconies.

Good luck!

[Tony]

Thanks for sharing this with us. It is worth putting your complaint in writing and using registered post. In the letter tell them that you will escalate to the NHBC is they do not resolve the defects within 30 days, which is generous.

Kind regards,

Tony

[Intgral]

We have moved into the Kelday Heights building a few months ago and we have the same leaking problem. I have taken pictures of the crumbled ceiling and water patches in the bedrooms and sent them to GT.
We will follow-up this week and then with the company directors, then with NHBC. It is unacceptable to pay so much money for a new build to have water leaks and wind blowing through the place.