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.
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.