Question 1

Why use “Quality Home Check” to do your inspection?

Accepted Answer

Our Inspection Managers have vast training and experience of quality controlling new build properties from working in the building industry for over 35 years. This knowledge and desire to produce and deliver a quality product puts us at the forefront of this sector and gives you peace of mind that you are choosing a professional inspection service and individuals to produce your “Quality Home Check” report

Question 2

What does Snags or Snagging mean

Accepted Answer

A minor imperfection or malfunction in the new Home that does not meet the expected tolerances or finish as set out in the Contract of sale. Typically, something which is damaged, broken, not fitted properly or looks unfinished and can be categorised as: -

a) Omitted or incomplete work
b) Faulty or defective work

Question 3

What does Major defect or Defects mean

Accepted Answer

Likely, though not always, to be a structural Defect or failure that could be subject to an insurance claim through the New Home Warranty

Question 4

Why is an inspection required?

Accepted Answer

Whilst all builders and developers want their customers to be happy with their home, they are always looking towards their next sale and completion due to financial and shareholder pressures.
 
With the shortage of quality trades people this often affects the ability to complete houses to the required quality standards, that is why the ombudsmen and the code has been introduced to force the builders and developers to improve partly through external inspection/snagging companies like ourselves.

Question 5

What if the inspection report highlights a defect that will require major works?

Accepted Answer

Once the issue has been presented to the builder/developer then clear and detailed discussions need to be take place between both parties and the outcome recorded in writing.
 
Certain aspects of the building may have elements that are outside the excepted tolerance of the standards. Often the builder agrees with the customer a settlement, either by the way of additional extras or financial recompense and agrees this in writing.
 
Alternatively, the homeowner can request that these works are rectified at the builders/ developers cost. These works need to be managed and inspected to ensure they are carried out safely and to the required standards.

Question 6

What if the builder/developer doesn’t complete the works to your satisfaction?

Accepted Answer

The homeowner now has a number of avenues to go down and is better protected following the setting up of the New Homes Quality Board with the linked Ombudsman in the back ground if required. In the first instance the homeowner should pursue the builder through their warranty provider, NHBC, Premier etc.

Question 7

What if your builder takes an unreasonable amount of time to complete the snags?

Accepted Answer

Again, In the first instance the homeowner should pursue the builder through their warranty provider, NHBC, Premier etc. The owner can also go to the New Homes Quality Board to the Ombudsman for a resolution to be sought.

Question 8

What is a Pre completion Inspection

Accepted Answer

As detailed by the “New Homes Quality Board” This is an opportunity for a customer to visit the New Home before Legal Completion. Alternatively, the Customer can appoint a suitably experienced inspector to undertake the inspection on their behalf.

Question 9

Why should homeowners request a re-inspection?

Accepted Answer

The building industry is under immense pressure as are many other industry’s due to the shortage of resources which also includes quality trained trades people and skilled staff who facilitate and manage the building companies.
Due to these pressures and skill shortages, developers are often concentrating on the forward build and have limited resources to ensure that remedial works are carried out properly and to the required standards.
QHC would recommend that a re-inspection is carried out to check that all works that were identified have been rectified properly, completed or a satisfactory agreement has been reached between both parties on any challenging issues raised.
 
A re-inspection also gives the opportunity to identify additional issues that may have come to light due to settlement, drying out and component failure.

Question 10

What is the New Homes Warranty/Warranties

Accepted Answer

This is an insurance-backed warranty or insurance policy issued by one of the Home Warranty Bodies, (NHBC, Premier etc) providing the customer with cover for the new home for a period of at least ten years from the date of legal Completion.

Question 11

What is The New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS)

Accepted Answer

This service, which has been appointed by an independent organisation “The New Homes Quality Board (nhqb.org.uk). the New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS) will investigate and resolve, determine or make recommendations in relation to Disputes and Complaints between the Customer of a New Home and the Developer where the Customer believes the Developer has failed to meet the requirements of the code.

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“Buying a property is likely to be the biggest investment you will make, our aim is to ensure you get what you paid for”

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