Helping UK new home buyers

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Terry Williams from Coventry University has done some research into defect analysis in new property and the role of the NHBC

His research led him to sample 32 properties, that had a total of 4523 defects, with at least one breach of the Building Regulations in each property. That equated to an average of 141 defects per property surveyed. Of the defects found; 4% posed a health and safety risk, with 18% of the defects compromising the building’s integrity. Of these, 8% presented a future structural risk and over half (51%) could permit moisture penetration.  

His research found that 28% of the faults were due to a general lack of care with 72% being caused by sub standard workmanship.

To view the full version of this research report titled "An investigation of finishing quality in new housing" An at a glance summary of the areas where defects were found is illustrated in the charts below.

MOISTURE

PENETRATION

 51%

VENTILATION

10% %

STRUCTURAL RISK

8%

DRAINAGE

14%

AIRTIGHTNESS

17%

LACK OF CARE

28%

SUB-STANDARD WORK

 72%

Details of Builder’s Work defects

HEALTH & SAFETY

RISK 4%

BUILDING INTEGRITY COMPROMISED  18%

AESTHETIC

DILAPIDATION 78%

See also Chris Wood's study into why defects occur in new homes

Another study: Customer satisfaction and snagging in the UK house building industry by Nigel Craig, James Sommerville and Tony Auchterlounew looked at both customer satisfaction and levels of snagging in new homes. They concluded that: ”new homes continue to be beset with snagging items and the house builders continue to have a very relaxed attitude towards snagging which may directly affect customer satisfaction levels.”

Of snagging items the research showed that Aesthetic issues accounted for most snagging issues:

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Omissions

8.8%

Technical

Quality

2.3%

Aesthetic Issues

 88.9%

0.7%

2.1%

7.1%

5.6%

BUILDER’S WORKS

GENERAL DAMAGE

& POOR PRESENTATION

EXTERNAL FINISH 2%

LANDSCAPING &

HARD SURFACES 2%

16%

37%

11%

23%

6%

INTERNAL DECORATION

INTERNAL SURFACES

(non-decoration)

PLUMBING 2%

INTERNALJOINERY

ELECTRICAL 1%

Research into defects

found in new homes