New build deviating from plans…
Discussion
Currently in the process of buying a new build house from a national developer. Have exchanged contracts, house is at first fix.
They’ve installed a window that shouldn’t be there, removed it again and bricked it up, creating a “tax window” rather than removing all trace of it.
The plans show a window in that location for one plot on the site only and no mention of the surround being present on other plots.
It looks s
te, to be frank.
What are my rights here? Do I need to just suck it up or can I force them to do it properly?
Yes, I know, all new builds are st etc.
They’ve installed a window that shouldn’t be there, removed it again and bricked it up, creating a “tax window” rather than removing all trace of it.
The plans show a window in that location for one plot on the site only and no mention of the surround being present on other plots.
It looks s
te, to be frank. What are my rights here? Do I need to just suck it up or can I force them to do it properly?
Yes, I know, all new builds are s
t etc. 
They should be able to remove the brick lintel and replace with stone
They may be able to replace and feather-in a few of the blocks to break up the outline of the ex-window
The mortar should weather to match the rest of the wall in time
Not perfect, but better than what they’ve currently done to try and fix it…
They may be able to replace and feather-in a few of the blocks to break up the outline of the ex-window
The mortar should weather to match the rest of the wall in time
Not perfect, but better than what they’ve currently done to try and fix it…
J6542 said:
Isn’t the whole gable a patchwork of different mortar colours?
I would be seriously worried about the standard of building work in the rest of the house if they are saying this is acceptable.
It looks more consistent in person (apart from the patch job which looks fI would be seriously worried about the standard of building work in the rest of the house if they are saying this is acceptable.
king awful) - bearing in mind it won’t have been cleaned etc. Is the new brickwork recessed at all?
That's the least they could do to make it look vaguely intentional.
Difficult to tell for certain, looks to be flush to me.
The question for me is, do you want that window there in terms of the layout/natural light of that room?
You could always apply for separate householder planning to have it approved, or get the developer to apply for it.
If they won't play ball, there is nothing stopping you submitting a householder application before you actually own the property, as long as the owner is served notice of the application before it is submitted.
There may however be some technical reason why you can't submit a separate householder application on a new build during its construction, in which case you would then need to wait until it is completed before submitting.
Equus might hopefully shed light (pun intended) if he is reading this thread.
That's the least they could do to make it look vaguely intentional.
Difficult to tell for certain, looks to be flush to me.
The question for me is, do you want that window there in terms of the layout/natural light of that room?
You could always apply for separate householder planning to have it approved, or get the developer to apply for it.
If they won't play ball, there is nothing stopping you submitting a householder application before you actually own the property, as long as the owner is served notice of the application before it is submitted.
There may however be some technical reason why you can't submit a separate householder application on a new build during its construction, in which case you would then need to wait until it is completed before submitting.
Equus might hopefully shed light (pun intended) if he is reading this thread.
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