HELP! What can I do now with nightmare builder????

Daisy · 8th August 2007, 16:58

Hi

Just a quick summary. We moved into our 'new build' 2 years ago in july. We have been messed about ever since.
The site itself only has 12 houses altogether yet it has taken over 3 years for them to finish...(they've still got a bit to go) and we were the first ones to buy.
Since we moved in we have put together snag list, after snag list after snag list and we still haven't had most of it done. They are now ignoring any correspondance I leave with them, either letter, voicemail or text asking them to at least acknowledge the requests and I just dont know what to do anymore. Im spending time in tears because I feel like Im hitting my head against a brick wall. Its like since they took our money they've not cared.
They promised us solid wooden floor. We moved in to see laminate. I chased this and they ignored me. The floor then bubbled, quite badly and they came in and drilled 4 screws into it!!!

I couldn't believe it and said it wasn't good enough. This bearing in mind is only a couple of months after moving in. Ive chased this again and again but they just keep ignoring me.
Now, where do I stand? What can I do? I feel I cant settle into my home and be happy.

Please help

Thanks
Daisy

Daisy · 9th August 2007, 17:41

Me again.....

Ive tried calling Builder again and he's ignoring it.
Ive noticed quite a few people have read my post, I cant stress how much I would appreciate it if someone could help me and advise me as to what I can do. I feel totally not in control.

Thanks again

Lorna

Didi · 9th August 2007, 20:22

Hi Lorna,
I'm sorry I don't have anything to offer really. I hope someone on here with some expertise can help.

I have read through a lot on this forum and my conclusion is that these Developers are all the same.

Got yer money so s*d off. There does not seem to be anything we customers can do once they close the book on us! Its a story I have seen time and time again on this forum.
We are in the same boat but much earlier in your scenario. It really is as you say a nightmare:evil:

Have you got anything in writing to say you would have a wooden floor? Could you get advice from trading standards? I know in our contract there is a clause saying that the developer reserves the right to change materials without purchasers consent or something like that. In other words they can do as they please.
Sorry I can't help you. I do feel for you though as we are in the same situation. It has made me ill and I don't think that anyone is worth being ill over especially them robbing builders. But its the principal and I cant get over that so like you I get totally desperate and stressed.
Hope you get some help Lorna. I don't know how often people come onto the forum but good luck.

ferritt · 9th August 2007, 20:39

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your house problems. I just cant believe you've left it this long. If I was you I would send them a letter deatiling everything that you have problems with. in the letter tell them your setting a deadline for things to be sorted/or at least start sorting the problems out. state that if no action is met by the deadline you will be taking legal action. Also if you have a mortgage on this property contact your mortgage company explaing what has happened. Explain that you paying x amount each month for a house that is'nt upto the standard that it should be and your payments are based on a fully finished house. Obvioulsy dont threaten to stop making payments but you never know it may get the mortgage company on your side. Never heard it working with mortgage companys but definatly works with loan/credit card companys on purchases. Worth a try. Also send the letter at least by recorded delivery. At least that way you know that they received it. Dont be scared of taking legal action. Contact citizens advice they should tell you you limit for a clame in a small clames court. also get some quotes from other builders to put the work right. If your builder doesnt put right they own work you get somebody else to do it and send the bill to them. If you seek some legal advice I'm sure you'll get positive answers.

cheers

Daisy · 12th August 2007, 17:53

Thanks ever so much Didi.

It just feels so unfair and I just cant settle in to my home because of the way we have/are being treated.
Im sorry you have the same problem with your builders. Its a shame the government doesn't do something about the after care these builders provide. Its alot of money they ask for and when my husband challenged the builder about the state of the finish in the house the builder turned to him and said he has over 40years experience and its his name on the gate, to which my husband said yeah but its our name on the mortgage. I feel really stressed out by it and its gone on now for over 2 years. Ive tried ringing NHBC but they aren't much help and Ive tried ringing citizens advice but thats a pain in itself to get someone to answer the phone.

As for the wooden floor in the contract, I dont think it does mention it. But its not just the floor thats one of many problems. We even had damp in one bedroom, quite bad too. It went black and this is in a new build. They did sort that....eventually but I worry it could happen in the rest of the house. Also, they have fitted fire doors in everyone elses house, yet I I have been told that they mentioned to one of my neighbours that they put them in our house. I have also challenged this and again Im ignored. The builder has had us for mugs and over a barrel from day one and does everything by woed rather than letter so nothing is ever in written format. The builder once had my in tears because he was so rude to me and im just fed up with it all.
Anyway, thanks again for replying, looks like Im stuck with it all though.

Lorna

SteveS · 14th August 2007, 09:51

Hi Lorna,
In my experience the only way is to have an effect on them. My snagging list was not important to Persimmon until I set up www.pishsimmon.com
After this and me being quoted in the press (from my website) the housebuilder took notice.
They have your money so you have to give them an incentive. A friend of mine bought a Bellway recently and had exactly the same response until he told them that he had bought the website www.hellway.com and indicated it would be along the same lines as my pishsimmon site. His snagging is now being done. A website costs less than a tenner plus hosting.
I had an email from ITV1 looking from stories like this, send me your email address and I can forward it to her?
What is the housebuilders name?
Regards,
Steve.

Didi · 27th November 2007, 19:16

Setting up a website can work but when greedy developers smart from the audacity that we would do such a thing they get their solicitors to contact the web host to suspend the web site. One needs to be careful about the title of the website and we have learnt from that one for our next step.

tabithatabby · 26th July 2009, 13:51

Didi i was thinking about doing that as we have a similar nightmare scenario but only with a small scale cowboy builder, unfortunately not one of the nationals. i had thought about setting up a website and listing some of the defects and showing pictures etc. If you could pm on how to do this and what to avoid this would be a great help.

NHBC have been worse than useless and we have probably paid for this house x 4 and there are still major issues with it.