New build deviating from plans…

[Toaster Pilot]

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 ste, 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.

[Jakg]

Toaster Pilot said:

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.

Are you sure they've actually done that? A lot of new builds have this aesthetic feature by design.

[Toaster Pilot]

Jakg said:

Are you sure they've actually done that? A lot of new builds have this aesthetic feature by design.

I saw the window, yeah.

[Toaster Pilot]

[jules_s]

Dear Lord

[thebraketester]

Hells teeth!!!

[shtu]

Christ that's naff.

Tell them to put the window back in.

[Sheets Tabuer]

Wow, it's like someone bricked a doorway up in an old pub, I wouldn't at all be happy with that.

[agent006]

Honestly not sure what would look worse, the plain gable with no window, the window, or that bricked up window.

Suspect it'll be a fair bit of work to make that back into plain brickwork. You might already have the 'best' solution unfortunately.

[Toaster Pilot]

shtu said:

Christ that's naff.

Tell them to put the window back in.

I’m guessing this is the one thing that isn’t an option since it wouldn’t comply with the planning.

[Jasey_]

I couldn't believe my eyes so showed the wife. Her exact words " what the fk"

No way I'd be accepting that !!

[agent006]

And how much thought would it have taken to line up that extractor vent hole with the middle of the 'window' above it?

Make sure you get a proper professional snagging done before you move in.

[usn90]

Toaster Pilot said:

That is actually quite shocking, and laughable that they think it’s acceptable

[WelshRich]

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…

[J6542]

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.

[Toaster Pilot]

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 fking awful) - bearing in mind it won’t have been cleaned etc.

[worsy]

Why does your plot not have the window OP? Is it close to it's neighbour?

[eliot]

agent006 said:

And how much thought would it have taken to line up that extractor vent hole with the middle of the 'window' above it?

Make sure you get a proper professional snagging done before you move in.

was thinking the same - that welsh bloke, he’s hilarious.

[Jonnny]

Christ, yeah I wouldn't be happy about that - looks very second hand.

[Andeh1]

On the alternative, leave it, buy it and cheaply put a window back in there if the builder is unable to due to some naff reason!!