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Leaking roofs, cracks in walls, missing insulation, draughty windows – why do builders think owners should accept sub-standard and shoddy work?

In this day and age, we should be embracing high-quality design and demanding super energy efficient buildings. So why is the quality of building works so often not good enough?

I have been instructed to inspect all types of poorly executed works on building projects including brand new multi-million pound houses carried out by national housebuilders, right through to bespoke new build and extension projects carried out by smaller builders. Unfortunately, I am typically called towards the end of the project when it’s often too late and the relationship between the client and the builder has broken down making it more difficult to rectify matters.

Where to start?

Schedule of defects

I have often been instructed to carry out a schedule of defects, commonly refered to as a ‘snagging list’ for newly constructed homes. This highlights all the defective issues for a new-build project, and it’s very surprising to see how poorly constructed some are. These should really be carried out before a new owner moves in but often get overlooked as new owners feel pressured to move in too hastily. Then the unfortunate grim reality is that defects accumulate and it’s more difficult to get the developer to return to rectify. Sometimes, it takes the threat of owners taking legal action and a detailed surveyor’s report to finally get the builder to return to correct major defects.

A change in government legislation ensures the New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS) is now available to buyers of newly-built homes. The Building Safety Act 2022 (see the ‘Ensuring our buildings are safe’ article on page 7 and 8) gives the Government the power to require new home developers to be part of the NHOS scheme. We’ll have to wait and see how much teeth this provides to new homeowners, or if they will still be drawn through the legal process to force developers to carry out the required remedial works.

Other occasions include when individual property owners have instructed their own contractor to carry out a large conversion, or extension or remodelling works. If not correctly managed, these can often be poorly carried out and ultimately property owners get let down by shoddy workmanship. This is often because the owner unwittingly puts too much faith in the builder without agreeing the detailed specification from the outset and not fully understanding what the builder has included (or more importantly not included) in their original quotation.

Avoid disputes

No one likes to be embroiled in a dispute. They cause huge anxiety, can be extremely time consuming and costly, and often lead to an irreversible falling out with your builder.

Instruct the correct professionals from the outset

The main message is to instruct the correct professionals from the outset to agree specifications and ensure your building project is correctly project managed. Robinson & Hall has this expertise to advise you from initial concept, obtaining planning permission and builders’ tenders, and project managing the works.

Carried out the works already?

If legal matters escalate and the need arises, I can be on hand to prepare an Expert Report to comply with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules to help support your case.

In light of the Government’s bold ambition to see 1.5 million new homes built over the next five years, I have concerns that quality will get overlooked in the desire for cost cutting and building far too quickly without the correct skill set and adequate supervision. This also translates to small to medium build projects, and it’s imperative you obtain the correct professional advice whatever the size and scale of your project.

In my opinion, what is the point in building lots of new houses or carrying out your dream building project if it is not going to be energy efficient or of suitable quality or fit for purpose?

For more information or to discuss your project, please contact me.

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