Have We Forgotten How To Build A House?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42396938
I'd never buy a new buiold today, total tish build quality. I'd expect better from a major builder like Bovis but it seems they too are utilising the High Chaparal building technique.

[Cloverjo]

It's appalling. The builder should be made to give the woman her money back, fix the house and then sell it when a decent regulator says it's fit to live in.

[fiction-factory]

It is appalling. I'm not sure why this wasn't picked up by the inspectors or by the buyer's surveyor (I assume mortgage lenders require a survey and that solicitors will insist on one)

[marval]

It is dreadful how bad these new homes are. I feel very sorry for the lady with health issues.

[emmie]

if that was me i would suing them right left and centre.

[New Judge]

"I'm not sure why this wasn't picked up by the inspectors or by the buyer's surveyor (I assume mortgage lenders require a survey and that solicitors will insist on one)"

Mortgage lenders simply require a "surveyor" to attend the property, ensure that it actually exists and that is worth roughly what is being lent. Solicitors can only advise their clients to get a full structural survey but it should not be necessary with a new house.

When you see new houses constructed it is not surprising that many of them see faults revealed within a short time. Most of them seem to arrive in bits on the back of a lorry and are simply screwed together by "builders". A couple of years ago I saw a block of twelve flats constructed from the ground up in three days. The interiors were not kitted out in that time but that did not take much longer.

[Gromit]

An unfortunate pairing of paragraphs...

// A survey by the House Builders Federation this year suggested 98% of those who had bought new homes reported defects to their builder within a few months of moving in, with 41% reporting more than 10 problems.

It comes at a time when Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to build "more homes, more quickly" to tackle the housing shortage. //

[emmie]

you have to make a political point gromit,
she means that houses have to go up to meet demand.
not that she has a hand in shoddy builders, buildings.

[fiction-factory]

>but it should not be necessary with a new house.

The same applies to any new purchase- house, electrical, car...- but they come with guarantees, warranties; and purchasers can normally rely on consumer ligislation and legal remedies- does the same apply to the sale of new houses?

[Togo]

Shoddy builders Emmie? How very dare you. We call them highly skilled immigrant workers these days don't you know. Absolutely vital additions to the British way of building....cash in hand, no questions asked at this agency guvner. Plus they have to get em up quick to have somewhere to doss down for a couple of months. :))

[Gromit]

Emmie,

// she means that houses have to go up to meet demand. //

Nah, people are being pressurised to move into uncompleted homes to maximise Bovis’ profits and sales targets.

// Some members of the 1,420-strong Facebook support group - called Bovis Homes Victims Group - accuse the house-builder of pressuring them to move into incomplete houses to hit sales targets.

The Sun Online previously reported that some buyers were offered £2,000 to £3,000 in cash to ­complete purchases.

At the time, city analysts said Bovis had offered bonuses in a bid to meet targets because it gets its money only when a house has been finished and the buyer has completed on it. //

[KARL]

I know a particular house which was created by converting a larger Victorian property forty five years ago - the standards used and workmanship throughout are an object lesson in rubbish. That was long before foreign workers were taking up the slack, instead only genuine British Standards/regulations stuff by indigenous workforce and inspections, then the UK was even further behind in housing standards than it is now. It's been going on for yonks and is really awful for anyone knowing better or hoping for something which doesn't disappoint (the rest think it's as good as it gets).

[Togo]

//I know a particular house which was created by converting a larger Victorian property forty five years ago//

Really? Haha.. What did the Romans ever do for us?

[Ryzen]

Im sure a few on here have heard of part.'P' with regards the electrical requirements of domestic properties.In essence it meant that electrical works in dwellings should be undertaken by qualified and registered sparks.Due to the shortage of registered sparks and the fact that any contractor worth his salt wont go near the big builders..due to the no corner left uncut rule,its left to the bodgers to do the wiring.This situation follows with all the other trades resulting in the bodges buyers have on offer from the big builders.

[Tilly2]

Are there any reputable house builders out there? Who build decent house? Anyone know?

[Ryzen]

If you want a new house then build it alongside a good manager (if you can find one) or buy from a small builder after visiting his recently built properties and talk to a few owners.It never ceases to amaze me how highly educated people turn into numbskulls when buying houses.

[Togo]

Ryzen knows,. The same applies to all trades, from brickies to roofers, and plasterers, to first fix trades. The tradesmen wouldn't touch the likes of Bovis(other "building firms " are available) with the proverbial. The big "boys" have got used to paying immigrant wage levels and taking the profit for large ones all round. Diversity My Varsity.

[Togo]

Tills if you are thinking of getting one built, employ a good project manager, and then watch him like a hawk.

[Ryzen]

Spot on Togs...and the good news is....it aint gona get better anytime soon....the NHBC aint fit for purpose.

[ToraToraTora]

ryzen: what's the "no corner left uncut rule" ?

[Togo]

//ryzen: what's the "no corner left uncut rule" ? //

3T that will be take the specifications, get the bean counters to shave them to the bone, starting with labour and materials, and then set a timescale that is impossible to do the work with any care.