New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

[liverpoolfc]

Hello all

I received the keys for a new build property in July 2016 and on moving in noticed many snags that were poor workmanship. I have heard similar from other residents.
I am going to get the hand magnifier out and look into any other snags as the handover is looming from the construction companies responsibility etc.

My main problem is the plumbing at this property!
Continual problems with crackling popping electric water heater to no hot water for a week to gunshot sounds in the bathroom after a 20 minute hot watershower ; 20 minutes after. Loud clunking popping from the electric water heater. Thudsounds in the ceiling from it appears poor pipe clipping instability..

Generally poor workmanship throughout is the summary. There is a total lack of professionalism and instead a lack of ownership/ responsibility to resolve.

I have many examples of my own as well as other residents.

The plumbing is my main issue and I have a plumber who has drawn an action plan regarding the next step. It has all gone quiet.

I am new to this but heard from a colleague it is the place to go.

Your kind assistance would be very well received. I am losing patience due to the timeframe. It feels as if I have not properly been able to enjoy my purchase due to problems problems problems.

[des8]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

Hi and welcome

Is the builder registered with NHBC?

[liverpoolfc]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

10 years after this July yes

[des8]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

10 years after this July yes

Not quite sure what you mean, but if the builder is NHBC registered have you involved the NHBC yet, and if so with what result?

[liverpoolfc]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

Oh sorry. The construction company have one year to resolve before handing over all responsibilities to the 10 year warranty you mentioned. This has not gone to the warranty but the handover should be taking place this month.
The current situation has been painstaking!
it has been so frustrating

[des8]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

Having brought the problems to the builder's attention, it is probably better to wait for the warranty to kick in and then file a claim with NHBC

[liverpoolfc]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

Thanks for the advice.
So the construction company and their subcontractors get away with their poor workmanship...

[liverpoolfc]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

Update.... the electric water heater company has been contacted and they have come out and changed the electric water heater. It has been 2 days and no noises have been heard!!! Fingers crossed!!
This leads me to think under the builders contractors subcontractors the problem could not be resolved but when a plumber I dource attends and gets into contact with the electric water heater company and that company resolves the issue so to speak immeduately.
This is not on... These problems have been going on since October 2016. I wonder if a letter of compaint needs to be sent to the builders subcontractors. Surely they could/ would have thought to contact the electric watwr heater company.....

Your help would be very well appreciated

[des8]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

Your complaint should be made to the builders.
Sub contractors are acting as builders agents.
On the other hand why not complain to CEO of both parties?

[liverpoolfc]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

Thank you for your reply.

It is very poor. Surely a form of compensation should be offefed for the delays etc.

What would be an acceptable compensation amount?

[Onestepatatime]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

Ok coming from a construction background, did you actually see the changed parts? From what you describe it sounds as though a water valve was left shut?

regardless, I would advise a strong letter to the site agent, copied too; the customer care manager, the construction director and the CEO of the builders.
Am I understanding that you have indeed reported the snags prior to now to the builders? Otherwise a strong letter at this stage may be fruitless as they will say that they have not been notified, NHBC are next to useless, only approach as last resort after exhausting all communication with builder. You could also have a word with trading standards if the complaints are many on the development.

- - - Updated - - -

With snags you are best placed to inform the builder at the earliest opportunity, leaving it until a year later will be bounced from pillar to post to get builder past their hand over point.

[liverpoolfc]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

Thank you for your reply.

Since October 2016 the builders have been notified of the sounds and I informed building control and as the builders were so poor with their subcontractor plumbers the complaint was escalated in December January just gone. The plumbers and the builders claimed there was no sound heard by them so if they cannot hear it live then they cannot ascertain where the problem lies. I recorded the sounds and also told them whete the sounds were coming from. The expansion cessel and a valve was changed. They were meant to change the shower unit but brought the incorrect oart and then claimed it would not have made any difference anyways. I witnessed the changed parts.

More recently I was getting increasingly frustrated and got a plumber in on my own back and hence the electric water heater company promptly heard my recordings and attended to change the heater.

The building developer and the builders underneath who carried out the project are well aware of all my concerns and have had it in writing.

My main point now is to keep an ear out on the sounds to ensure it is not still a problem. In addition it is ridiculous the time it has taken and I have not even properly moved in since these hassles were ongoing. I moved to the new property in August 2016.

I have been left utterly disappointed and need to act to ensure the builders compensate for their novice ways with their pathetic subcontractor plumbers. How can the plumber subcontractor and the builder developer etc not contact the electric water heater company when they have no experience it appears to profesionally alleviate the issues themself

I would like some help if possible to take matters further and what to ho in for compensation etc.

Please assist all


Thanks

[Onestepatatime]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

Don't wish to put the dampeners on it but you'll be exceptionally lucky to get anything from them.
You would be as well to now send a CEO letter. Is it a large builder-nationwide/regional or small local builder?

[liverpoolfc]

Re: New build flat problems post moving in. Construction company useless

Builder developers and builders are smallish local company.

Hmmm.. I think I will wait and see if the sounds have disappeared for definite and then will get onto the CEO etc.

Such poor service needs to be compensated as it has made a huge impact on the enjoyment of my apartment.

Thank you for your replies.

Hopefully with legal beagles help I can threaten legal action and make the builders contractors sweat that this is a serious delay to alleviate the issues and simply by contacting the water heater company on my part via the plumber sourced by myself seems to have resolved this longstanding problem.