"Mike Mitchell" wrote in message
...
On Channel 4,Tuesday 8:00 pm there was a programme about people's
problems with houses. The first item concerned numerous defects with a
new Persimmon house. Basically, the house was considered not up to
standard, although one of the presenters tried to play down the
owners' concerns somewhat.

I am planning to buy a new home! And I can do without horror stories
like this. And this is not the first time I've watched programmes like
this, where some brand new houses are shown to be of dubious quality
or even structurally unsound (anyone remember that house with the
massive cracks in the walls?).

How can I pick a builder with some kind of reputation to maintain and
some concept of quality work? Where are all the lists of recommended
builders, and the lists of builders whose products one wouldn't touch
with a bargepole?

I have brochures from about a dozen builders, one of which is
Persimmon. But I also have my eye on Morris Homes, Bryant, and
Chestnut Homes.

Any advice to avoid a dud? This is a dream of a lifetime and while the
couple portrayed on tonight's programme were angry, they were fairly
resigned to the situation and just wanted out. Apparently they have
negotiated some kind of confidential deal with the builder. But if
this happened to me, I would be absolutely livid. Surely it must be
possible to avoid jerry building in 2003/4?

MM

Hi Mike, didn't see the prog unfortunately but I'd like to try and reassure
you a little if I can...
We do a lot of new build work (as sparkies) for a lot of different builders.
The majority of houses are well built and I'd be quite happy to buy one (if
I could afford one!). Our company tries to resolve any snagging issues
within 48 hours if possible (1st contact within 24hrs) and certainly within
1 week. The plumbers, tilers, plasterers etc. all try to work to similar
timescales - in fact we all have dedicated departments these days. Obviously
smaller companies will struggle to give this kind of service but that's the
downside of employing 1 man and his apprentice outfits.
Regards, Richard