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. 
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. worsy said:
Why does your plot not have the window OP? Is it close to it's neighbour?
As far as I can tell the intended design is without the window. The plot that DOES have the window has another window removed in the same room because of how it’s positioned relative to a neighbouring plot. WelshRich said:
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…
In fairness they’ve come back to me today and said this is what’s going to happen - I don’t know if that’s just because I’ve indicated I’m unhappy with it as it stands or that the current fix* was just temporary. 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…
Johnniem said:
OP, just wondering if you have looked at the planning portal on your local authority website to see what the 'approved plans' for your house actually show. You will at least be able to check that elevation and find out whether there is a window, or faux window, there in the approval document.
JM
There should be neither. They’ve agreed to restore the wall to how it should’ve been built in the first place which is plain - whilst some people seem to dislike that I think it’s better than this half arsed effort. JM
blueg33 said:
cayman-black said:
blueg33 said:
They fked that up! Idiots!
Crap site manager, crap brickies - can no one read a plan these days.
That sort of stuff is unacceptable in my business.
This. what about putting plans in for the window, you should get it.?ked that up! Idiots! Crap site manager, crap brickies - can no one read a plan these days.
That sort of stuff is unacceptable in my business.
For context, this is the floorplan. Every room has a window in a fairly sensible place when you’re inside and I’m not sure a photo of the rear/side does it justice.
You’ll note that Bed 1 shows the offending window behind the headboard
- this is subbed by a second side window opposite the one shown.
You’ll note that Bed 1 shows the offending window behind the headboard
- this is subbed by a second side window opposite the one shown. Mr Whippy said:
OP, how come you’ve bought a big expensive new build off plan?
A smaller, cheaper one didn’t provide what I wanted….Not that I need to justify my choice to strangers on the internet obviously.
I often wonder if the “lol new builds are s
t M8” folk ever consider the fact that the vast majority of houses built over the past 100 years or so that aren’t one off Grand Designs style things can all be criticised for one reason or another? sociopath said:
Talking about new builds, they're a massive new estate near us, circa 500 houses all made with kleenex and spit, gone up in weeks and all look like they'll not be there in 30 years. There's also a couple of houses built by a local builder just down the road that we've watched them build. The difference is huge, built of brick and block, and done properly and carefully. I know which I'd buy for basically the same money
If you say so. The houses on this estate are also being built from brick and block, like most new houses are, so I’m not sure that’s an indicator of anything. I bought a house from a “small local builder” a few years ago - they subbed everything out to the same useless d
heads the big builders use but with less management/QC/aftersales. AlmostUseful said:
There’s a lot of talk about poor workmanship and being unable to read a drawing, this is the only house of that style on site that doesn’t have a window on that table. It’s probably built to spec just fine, just with the wrong drawing. Wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if the only difference is the window being in or not on the “standard non standard” housetype
There’s only one that does/should have a window there actually. 
acer12 said:
Probably been said already but assume the window cut was there from the timber frame factory, so either an error at the production or delivered to the wrong plot? Nobody noticed until later down the line, then the pathetic effort to fix at lowest cost.
As other posters mentioned, doubt they would allow the window be fitted as it would deviate from the agreed energy rating.
What timber frame factory would that be? It’s block and stone. As other posters mentioned, doubt they would allow the window be fitted as it would deviate from the agreed energy rating.
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