New Build Issues

[DeeCeeaitch]

Non professional here for the first time looking for advice regarding finishing on a new build, we have had a contractor for the whole build and he elected to use a plasterer for the outside render. I did question this.  We now have concerns and an RICS surveyor has agreed with us but the build is still refusing to take any responsibility on the render.  He insist we chose a non-scratch finish were as in truth we didn't know exactly what that as so we asked for a consistent colour and texture.  We now have 4 elevations that are completely different.  One elevation was damaged with brick acid as he tried to clean the dark bricks above the render, his resolution was to acid wash the complete elevation, leaving the render a different light colour. There looks to be water ingress from the flashing around the oriel windows causing permanent stains. (the flat roof falls towards the wall instead of away).  We are reticent to pay his final bill until the issues have been corrected. The edging and beading is either poor or non- existent. Other issues are decorative bricks not cleaned, engineering bricks not cleaning - any advice would be much appreciated as it looks like ot may end up in court

[Bozza]

Unacceptable workmanship.  Don’t pay until rectified.  Get independent reports etc.  Document everything.  Take approach of “happy to settle as soon as workmanship is to an acceptable standard”.

 

what does the contract say ?  If contract is between you and builder it’s for them to resolve not any sub contractor.

 

Or get a quote from another builder to “put right” these issues and deduct from outstanding balance.

 

 

Edited December 2, 2021 by Bozza

[markc]

Firstly, the contract and quote wording will be very important here.

workmanship (is that sexist now?) is pretty poor but did you want too much for the money available and contractor agreed to lower the price? … not right in my book but it does happen too often.

the crack does concern me as it runs through bricks, the rest looks cosmetic and can be made to look much better quite easily.