Snagging new property - how fussy?

ringo747

ringo747

ringo747

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We are hopefully getting keys to a new property soon and need to do a pre-completion inspection to make sure everything is OK.

Any major defects have to be fixed before completion but minor details can wait.

Now my Dad works in the building trade so will take him along. I was wondering is there such a thing as being too fussy when it comes to snagging? Are some minor defects such as cracks in the walls, messy grouting things that I should ask to be repaired?

Obviously for a new build everything should be perfect but the builders will probably just laugh if I ask them to fill in cracks for example.

I don't imagine there will be any major defects but some things I noticed from previous visits were:

- cracks on walls (half the length of wall - so not minor)
- dodgy looking skirting boards
- cracked grout around kitchen units
- kitchen unit doors not hanging straight

Can anyone offer any advice on what is reasonable here?

I reckon Dad will know what to look for from the building/joinery side of thing but I guess it's worth checking all electrical fittings, power sockets, radiators, pipes etc.

I'm sure there are some experts on here somewhere to offer advice!
 
ringo747 said:
Obviously for a new build everything should be perfect but the builders will probably just laugh if I ask them to fill in cracks for example.
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Why would they? Would you expect Apple to laugh at you if you returned a new MacBook with a scratch down the casing? It's new and therefore should be perfect.
 
Our first house was new and we did quite a long list of snags. From tiny cracks to a few bigger issues.

You are paying for the house and you should have it in mint condition. You wouldn't buy a new car that had some scratches etc!
 
Cracks will take a while to settle in a new build, I'd leave a year to get them filled. If done right away you'll probably find they'll come back worse!

Your list is reasonable though. Things I'd look for

Doors - are they hung correctly, with no significant gaps and do they actually click closed.

Gaps in kitchen units - are joins sealed right?

Floors - do they all meet the walls/door frames?

Builders insurance - check out what they are offering. I got 15 years on my current place, 10 years on my last.

You'd be amazed how some new builds are bodged together. Little things like doors not closing properly will drive you mad!
 
Thanks - thats reassuring. It comes with 10 years HSBC warranty which I think just covers the structure side of things.

The house has been completed for 7+ months so at least the cracks might have settled down by this point. Is it reasonable to ask for the walls to be repainted where the cracks are or typically would they just fill the cracks and leave it at that?

The builder is question has a good reputation for quality but the finish inside will always have slight flaws needing correction I guess.
 
ringo747 said:
- cracks on walls (half the length of wall - so not minor)
- dodgy looking skirting boards
- cracked grout around kitchen units
- kitchen unit doors not hanging straight
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You've got to be kidding me right ? These are cosmetic issues - I bet you £50 that you have got way bigger issues than these lurking under the floors / guttering or outside.

No house is perfect - even the the new builds.

Some of these first time buyers need a good kick up the .... Just remember that the seller can take his business elsewhere.
 
I snag new builds on site as an M&E consultant. In short the property should be to your satisfaction.

I used to worry about being challenged by the people on site and laughing at the things I picked up but if anyone does they're either used to producing shoddy work with no-one complaining or they're lazy and calling your bluff. If they object ask them to explain why you should accept it as it is.
Don't let something by thinking you can fix it yourself, you shouldn't have to. How would you feel if the door trim kept falling off a new car? In reply to your examples above, I would expect them all to be fixed. When I bought a new property I had a engineer sent in to rotate a radiator valve as I couldn't read it (the point at which you read the digits faced the wall). In hindsight it took two minutes and I felt pretty stupid for not realising how to do it myself but I was still pleased to get it sorted.
Don't rely on the NHBC 10 year warranty to cover the types of problems you encounter with snags, it won't.
You should be delighted with your new property, nothing less.
Good luck :D

EDIT: Totally disagree with Sub above. The seller can't necessarily take their business elsewhere, it's a property and they tend to be difficult to move. :p At the moment the housing market is 'down' and a buyer of a new build should be in the bargaining position. Sub are you a house builder?!
Cracks in walls should be repainted by the contractor - why should you do it!?
I agree if you've moved in an lived there for a year or so it's a point for discussion but if you're not in the building yet they should bend over backwards to make it right.
Make sure you get all the electrical and gas safety certificates (NICEIC / GasSafe etc) from the Contractor.
 
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ringo747 said:
Thanks - thats reassuring. It comes with 10 years HSBC warranty which I think just covers the structure side of things.

The house has been completed for 7+ months so at least the cracks might have settled down by this point. Is it reasonable to ask for the walls to be repainted where the cracks are or typically would they just fill the cracks and leave it at that?

The builder is question has a good reputation for quality but the finish inside will always have slight flaws needing correction I guess.
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The paint will likely be one coat of wishy washy watered down ****. Look at the wrong way and it'll come off! Lick you finger and smudge a wall to see. Out of sight of course!

I never checked before hand, but we repainted anyway. You are buying this house - you are the customer, its your money. They have to make a reasonable effort to make the house to your liking.
 
if they are crack due to shrinkage sometimes its bets to leave it for a year. Especially at this time of year when the temperature goes up and down a lot. If its cosmetic stuff i.e careless builders taking chunks of plaster out while moving their crap out of the building or just poor workmanship thne you should say something no matter how minor the defect may be.

Remember you are paying for it. Like others have said before if you bought a new car / pc / other capital purchase you would not accept anything that was defective no matter how slight
 
Total agreement with Alex S. Make them fix any and every little detail you notice is wrong. And don't be shy about calling them back again and again and again if there's anything they don't get right or comes back.
 
Thanks all - although Sub your comment is slightly odd. You must be on the builders side of the fence.

I don't imagine you see too many house buyers up on a cherry picker checking out the guttering for example.

My intention is to be as fussy as possible - I just didn't want to be going over the top.
 
Alex_S said:
EDIT: Totally disagree with Sub above. The seller can't necessarily take their business elsewhere, it's a property and they tend to be difficult to move. :p At the moment the housing market is 'down' and a buyer of a new build should be in the bargaining position.
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Market is down in most places but that doesn't imply you should 'assume' that the sellers position is weak. Those who have a great deal of equity in their properties can easily sit on it. I've certainly pulled out of a few sales and even in today's market I still ask for 10k deposit.

Bought a house recently where the stuck up seller just wouldn't budge and I had no option but to buy - complete with damp, broken floors the lot :mad:

Alex_S said:
Sub are you a house builder?!
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No, sounds like something chavs do. Do you trade property Alex ?
 
ringo747 said:
Thanks all - although Sub your comment is slightly odd. You must be on the builders side of the fence.

I don't imagine you see too many house buyers up on a cherry picker checking out the guttering for example.

My intention is to be as fussy as possible - I just didn't want to be going over the top.
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Just noticed you're in NI, what development are you buying on? I've seen loads of them.
 
TBH i would get in a building surveyor to check out the property, even new developments can fall short of standard, and a surveyor can point out any concerns that you may have.

Cracks can be indication of ground movement, which could be that the property was built on poor ground, or foundation not built deep enough for the ground type.
 
Alex_S said:
I snag new builds on site as an M&E consultant. In short the property should be to your satisfaction.

I used to worry about being challenged by the people on site and laughing at the things I picked up but if anyone does they're either used to producing shoddy work with no-one complaining or they're lazy and calling your bluff. If they object ask them to explain why you should accept it as it is.
Don't let something by thinking you can fix it yourself, you shouldn't have to. How would you feel if the door trim kept falling off a new car? In reply to your examples above, I would expect them all to be fixed. When I bought a new property I had a engineer sent in to rotate a radiator valve as I couldn't read it (the point at which you read the digits faced the wall). In hindsight it took two minutes and I felt pretty stupid for not realising how to do it myself but I was still pleased to get it sorted.
Don't rely on the NHBC 10 year warranty to cover the types of problems you encounter with snags, it won't.
You should be delighted with your new property, nothing less.
Good luck :D

EDIT: Totally disagree with Sub above. The seller can't necessarily take their business elsewhere, it's a property and they tend to be difficult to move. :p At the moment the housing market is 'down' and a buyer of a new build should be in the bargaining position. Sub are you a house builder?!
Cracks in walls should be repainted by the contractor - why should you do it!?
I agree if you've moved in an lived there for a year or so it's a point for discussion but if you're not in the building yet they should bend over backwards to make it right.
Make sure you get all the electrical and gas safety certificates (NICEIC / GasSafe etc) from the Contractor.
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This is the best advice posted it is a new house so it should be perfect and problems no matter how minor or cosmetic should be reported.
When I was on the trowel I regularly had to snag other peoples work its part of the job.

Also the NHBC warranty only covers structural problems I.E. foundations walls floors etc.
 
Subliminal Aura said:
Market is down in most places but that doesn't imply you should 'assume' that the sellers position is weak.
Click to expand...

Agreed - I'm not suggesting a buyer should be a complete git about it, but I do think standards should be high and at times in the construction industry they can fall short and people accept it. On the other hand there are a lot of skilled workers who are proud of what they do, it does both ways. Fine balance between cost / quality / time.

Subliminal Aura said:
No, sounds like something chavs do. Do you trade property Alex ?
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I have bought and sold property but I don't trade property as a career. I design M&E systems + check site progress / snag etc. You?
 
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