Any builders on here?

3 years ago

New build due to complete - issues

We are due to complete on our new build at the end of this month but haven’t yet seen the property.

I decided to have a drive over and the door was open. I have noticed a couple of things that have concerned me and wondering if any builders on here can advise.

There is what looks like a trench in the floor through the hallway to back of house.
External Window frames chipped and peeling
External wall does not look safe.. what looks like polystyrene in this.

Aside from this there are other issues like there is an actual hole in the front door! Random hole at back of property.

Can anyone please advise. I love this house and village but this has well and truly taken the wind out of my sails.

Leah

Featured Answer

Daisy England

3 years ago

Regarding the kitchen door .... it would normally open into a kitchen as opposed to out into a hallway. When you enter a room the light switch should be accessible, so in your case the door is hung to allow for that. Upon saying that the tall units being right behind the door leads us to believe it’s a bad design because if someone walks into the room while you’re standing in front of the oven or have the oven door down it creates a safety problem and could also damage the door.

We both think for health and safety purposes you may be better asking for the door to be amended so that it opens into the hall or ignore accessibility to the light switch and ask for the hanging hand to be altered.

I would not like to have the oven door down with a pan with hot oil in my hands and that door opening into my back and head. At the end of the day you have to have the door closed to access the oven. What a weird design.

It is a lovely looking house from outside and I can see why you want to buy it but I would address your concerns. New builds are notoriously famous for teething problems. I hope you get these things sorted. Hope the above helps.

Comments (11)

Leah Rodrigues
Original Author
3 years ago
More pics..
Leah Rodrigues
Original Author
3 years ago
Also what are these weird plastic plug holes in the brick work?
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Daisy England
3 years ago
That house looks lovely.

I wish hubby were here to assist but I’ll chuck my 2pennorth in as I also work in the building trade but not on the technical side.

I would ask about the trench. I can only presume they had to add some pipework? Ask the question and don’t be fobbed off.

Regarding the external chipping and peeling, I presume these were painted before fitting and that’s their final coat? If so I would not be happy with them. Is that a hole underneath or paint that’s gone on to the stonework? If it’s a gap that’s going to collect water and if the window frames are timber in time they’ll rot. Perhaps they still have to apply some sealant around the edges?

Holes in doors, definitely unacceptable, but why is there a hole?

Are you mistaking polystyrene for cavity wall insulation?

You need to address all your issues with the builder.
Daisy England
3 years ago
You added these pix after I was writing. The image with the pillow and fence work is that the one where you’re referring to polystyrene? The brickwork doesn’t look the best on that. I’ll ask hubby tonight when he eventually drags himself through the door. He’s very good at this sort of thing and often gets asked by other traders.
Leah Rodrigues
Original Author
3 years ago
This would be helpful, thank you daisy. This is all very new to me and unsure what I should expect and what I can request be resolved. Also one more question??
The kitchen door opens in to the kitchen against the cooker and fridge. This seems so odd to me and a risk for injury. The show home opens in to hallway. They told me on the phone that the show home is not right and they have followed the plan? Thoughts on this? I want the door changing. I have a 5 and 2 year old so stopping access to the kitchen when in use is impossible. Seems like a safety hazard too... ?
Leah Rodrigues
Original Author
3 years ago
Picture of door in kitchen opening against fridge and cooker.
Daisy England
3 years ago
I asked hubby.

He has no idea what the ‘trench’ is and why it’s there. Has it been dug afterwards?

He groaned at the state of the windows. Said poor workmanship and unacceptable (this is one of our speciality products).

It is an expansion joint on the edge of the pillow by the fence. It should have mastic applied to fill it to allow for expansion. Perhaps they’ve not got this far.

The large circular hole must be for a vent of some sort? Does it adjoin a bathroom?

The small vents (weird plastic plugs) are to let water out of the cavity. It’s a normal thing.
Sonia
3 years ago
When you buy a new build, you can make a snagging list, which is a list of the things you think need rectifying. This is usually done after you have moved in as some of the things you are pointing out now may not be the finished article. I only know this as a friend of mine has bought a few new builds and I remember her moaning about it! I don’t think now is the time to point things out. Wait until it is completed and then have a check list.
Leah Rodrigues
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks all, the main issues for me were the oven and windows/ door.

I have a physical condition that makes me lose balance and the door opening up the oven and fridge worried me. With two young children who are always moving around I can just imagine getting bashed with the door when lifting something out if it. Really appreciate your opinions. 🙏🙏
Sonia
3 years ago
Leah, could the door be hung on the other side, that is on the right? I know you’ll have the switch behind the door but maybe they could move that too? I would email the building contractor (better than a phone call as you have a record) and ask them to make these changes. A door opening onto ovens is very poor design. Hope you get it sorted.

Any builders on here?

Daisy England

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