Snagging - legal position

[Stephen Aitch]

A friend of mine has just completed a major refurbishment.  His contract does not make any direct reference to a defects period, but he does have a 5% retention for a period of 9 months.

 

Does the 9 month retention period imply an equivalent period for defects?

 

What sorts of issues can he reasonably expect to be covered?  I believe it is primarily settlement cracks in the plaster.

 

Advice much appreciated as always...

[nod]

It is mainly settlement and shrinkage cracks But make a list of anything else within the first twelve months Such as window and door mechanism locks 

Even Something small like a dripping tap It can all be addressed when snagging 

[TonyT]

You don’t wait till the end of the snagging period, you report the defects as they happen and any repairs are carried out under the contract. At the end of the defect period a meeting/walk around on-site is carried out to list anything needing fixed

 

id anything living is supplied such as sedum we generally want a 2 year defect period on this to ensure it will last more than a season.

 

it’s important to agree all this at the start, as it’s bargaining for the builder getting his retention money or worst case walking away( that’s why it needs to be a decent amount to prevent this)

 

these discussions are then negotiated so the builder can foxtrot Oscar as soon as possible.