Caroline

Hi all Thank you for your comments. I have spoken to Andrew, the VATMan, he is really helpful. Some of the errors were purely where some of the invoices had my name on as delivery address but not on the "Invoice to" part of the invoice. They have knocked back the vented induction hob, I know some people on here say they have allowed theirs. It includes a vent so I think there should be some part of the VAT to be reclaimed, but hey ho. With the Ikea PAX wardrobes, its really annoying. The are fitted, I have taken a photo, but hear that you have to be able to see the wall behind? and they should have only one shelf and a rail (god knows what difference that makes). I have taken another photo of the said one shelf and one rail and will re submit, its only £300 being claimed but I think it is principle here, particularly when they say you can claim as long as they are fitted and you provide photographic evidence, which I did! Kind regards to you all.

They took 11 weeks to process mine, I received less than a third of what I had claimed. Called them and they were quoting internal processes to me that meant nothing. Told I will need to appeal. Even said the small local business that supplied and fitted my LVT flooring should have zero rated the bill. They said I should have explained it is a new build and the bill should be zero rated. I reminded them this small business has paid the VAT to them but they say I have to get in touch with the business and make them adjust their VAT. Also they have knocked back some windows/door/roofing and external paving (amongst other things). This is my second newbuild and it was easier and quicker before. Last time I had to send all receipts with their spreadsheet. This time, spreadsheet only, 6 weeks for them to then ask for approx 12 receipts and they have knocked back £10k of the £15k of VAT I expected back. Hopeless.

Our Buildzone warranty BC person asked for drain test. We did one, videoed it, levels were fine. However, they won't accept our test and want one carried out by an independent 3rd party who has PI insurance. Seems this is going to cost us in excess of £400. We are self builders for a reason, but are continually scuppered by red tape!

UFH all okay so no leaks

75mm with insulation and wet UFH pipes

I have an issue. Our screed was laid in Nov and latex/stickdown LVT laid two months later. UFH wasn’t turned on. Couple of months later approx 15sqm (out of nearly 200sqm) started to lift. Floorlayers removed lifted areas and found moisture on the back of the LVT, floor looked dry and hand held moisture meter said 35% moisture. Flooring people then used a larger meter that sticks to floor and readings over a week went from 76-83% too high to relay LVT. The slab/screed which had a drying accelerant in it should have been dry in 2 months. Newbuild bungalow. we are worried if floor is reading up to 83% in lifted areas what about areas that seem fine (LVT flat and appears fine) I know lots in here don’t like LVT but I have it now so not much I can do. Also flooring company only used small hand held reader before laying the LVT, this reader showed it was dry enough to lay originally but obviously the hand held device wasn’t accurate. Also who is responsible for the cost of replacing the LVT? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you, as always.

Thank you. We can do the test but I just wonder why they ask this type of thing at this late stage when they have visited many times before. Well we are nearly there, glad we have BC completion cert, just the warranty to deal with.

UPDATE COMPLETION CERT SUPPLIED BY BC, NO EV CHARGER REQUESTED. DITTO GULLY FOR BINS. WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE WARRANTY PROVIDER'S BC SAY (ALTHOUGH THEY WOULDN'T CARRY OUT THEIR FINAL INSPECTION UNTIL NORMAL BC HAD PROVIDED COMPLETION CERT). WARRANTY PROVIDER AT THIS LATE STAGE IS ASKING FOR A DRAIN TEST 😔

I know. We have decided some BC don't seem to take notice of the major things but nit pick!

Update, BCO said this re: Bin gully I emailed (his reply in red) why did he request it in the first place then! With regards to the gully for the waste bin. This was never included in the building building regs drawings, Ross inspected the drainage and a gully for bin was never raised. The bin store will be housed on the permeable paving so whenever bins are washed, the water will soak away through the permeable paving. That is fine, it is advised but not a requirement for single dwellings. Please just send photos of the bin store installed, thank you.

I hope so

We are at the final completion. The BCO has asked that our bin store has a gully? We questioned why and he said if you wash the bins there is somewhere for the water to run away. We live in 38 acres, with a small bit of permeable paving the rest grass, this seems strange to us, anyone else had the same request? As always, look forward to you knowledgeable people coming back to me. Also Car Charger, we have an outlet and an MCB marked as "Car charger" for the outlet, don't have an electric car so don't want to install charger as we don't know what one we will need when the time comes, will this be acceptable? Thank you