New Build Issues

Soldato
Joined
5 Mar 2003
Posts
10,771
Location
Nottingham
All,
Just after a bit of advice in regards to my home that I purchase 6 months ago. It was a show home which was perfect for me - everything in and I was coming from rented. Look around, was fine. Few things pointed out sales person said yeah we'll sort that. Came to signing the contacts and saw on the contract it was "sold as seen", to which I queried and was told that it only applied to things that specifically come as part of the show home such as the sofa / furniture etc. Now not trusting a sales person, I said ok lets scribble that onto the contract which we did.

Moved in, shown around again. Told I've got two weeks to go around to do the snagging. Did that, found numerous issues to which the customer care person said no worries - would be sorted (in person and email). Some were fixed. Customer care person left. Replacement emailed the list - yeah no worries will be sorted. Then silence. Emailed customer care head office and have been told that its a show home so sold as seen and that applies to everything? You what?

So this is dragging on a bit and I want to know what options I've got. Ideally I just want to shift the responsibility onto someone else; is there like a no win no fee solicitor who would take this on? I need to dig my copy of the contract out to double check exactly what was scribbled on - but I do have numerous emails confirming the issues would be corrected.

Cheers in advance!
 
Scratched patio door windows. Bent metal frame on roof window. Chipped kitchen units. Don't get me wrong the house isn't falling apart but I was told things would be fixed and now they're backing out of it.
 
I know the show houses on my estate where sold as seen too so I'm surprised they've done anything to be honest.

My neighbor has one and they've not been able to have anything done.
 
Did you receive any sort of discount as its essentially an "ex demonstrator"

I'd say in the case of show homes sold as seen is exactly that

you've bought a demo house you should expect fair wear and tear imo


you wouldn't buy an ex showroom tv from a retailer then try and get them to fix the scratch on the tv surround afterwards
 
Yeah but if the sales person and customer care say that they're going to fix that, changes the goal posts somewhat? They made it clear that the furniture and fixtures (light fitting etc) wouldn't be covered, but when I called our the structure, garden, kitchen, flooring etc they said it was just for the extra that were included (house was more expensive than empty home).

Builder is redrow.
 
Try your luck but I think sold as seen is exactly that in a new build

Like I say, its had a lot of through traffic with viewings you should expect wear and a little damage here and there.

Its not a new house
 
Disadvantages of buying the showhouse

A show home should always be considered as second-hand. It will have lots of snags and damage, so it would still be wise to have it professionally inspected

There may be no two-year NHBC warranty either, as the show home will have been registered when it was finished, probably well over two years ago.
 
So if the roof caves in - sold as seen?

I suppose this is going a bit off topic. It's not whether this is the norm etc, I'm after advise as I've been emailed by a number of employees that work will be carried out, now head office say no. I'm sure there are other people, show home or not, that have gone through issues with new builds.
 
So if the roof caves in - sold as seen?


that's what you pay for a building inspection for as part of buying any property :rolleyes:

**EDIT**

I thought were talking about wear and tear, some damage to stuff in the house

not a house falling down your talking extremes here
 
The roof would be covered on the 10year nhbc obviously...

However you won't get the full 10years either. The show houses next door to me had been up for 4years so they only get 6years left. And it was £10k more expensive.

I doubt it matters what someone promised on email. If you get any snagging done I'd mark that as a win and move on.

Shock as salesman lies through teeth to get you to sign :o
 
If you have agreement in writing to fix something, particularly if its written on your order form, then they should fix it.

You should first send a formal complaint to the builder requesting that this issues they have agreed to fix are fixed within 28 days. If they fail to do so, your options are limited. You could get the snag rectified yourself, then pursue them for costs though the small claims court. Advise them you will do this in your complaint.

Builders use companies like Plastic Surgeon and Snagworks for minor cosmetic repairs. They should be able to repair glass scratches and and the damaged kitchen units fairly cheaply.
 
Yeah but if the sales person and customer care say .
The sales team for my local development told buyers they could have a certain kitchen set included in the price, many buyers picked them, they got installed and then further down the line the head office said that was wrong and they could either stump up the extra (several thousand) or withdraw, bearing in mind all similar plots had now sold. Don't go off what sales people say!
 
The showhomes near me all sold for full price. What's this discount you speak of?

Both our houses have been new builds, the show rooms on the estates have actually always been more expensive to cover the extras so like you surprised to hear about the discount.

I cant see how they can sell a house as sold as seen to be honest...this isn't a private sale car.

OP it may be worth commenting on their Facebook page or contact on Twitter...usually gets things moving.
 
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