My newbuild home was ruined by ‘shoddy’ builders – the windows don’t open and we have no floors… it’s a nightmare
A HOMEOWNER was left fuming after her newbuild home was ruined by “shoddy” builders with windows and floors left uncompleted.
Posting under the username Stephanie on TikTok, she highlighted numerous problems in her new house in two separate videos.
Stephanie, who says she bought the new build with Linden Homes, claims that there were gas pipes left in the cupboards, moving sinks and plaster in the radiators.
And she let viewers have a look at “shoddy work” that even featured windows that wouldn’t open and incomplete floors.
Stephanie claims the “heating makes a noise” and footage showed she was unhappy with her “patchy and bumpy grass” outside.
The TikToker was also left unimpressed by the gaps above the patio doors and leaky radiators in the property.
In a follow-up video, Stephanie aired her frustration and claimed the “white paint on the doors and skirting has turned yellow”.
The fuming customer added: “They use cheap products and refuse to repaint it.”
And she said she has been left “appalled” by the work done by Linden Homes.
As always, TikTokers were quick to weigh in with their opinions in the comment section.
One joked: “That will be £345k please.”
“Couldn’t pay me to move into a new build. There’s a reason my house is 133yrs old. They were built to last,” said another.
A third TikToker quipped: “Who was the surveyor Stevie wonder.”
While another blasted the building work as “absolutely shocking”.
But one viewer added that it was important to note not all new builds were rife with problems
They commented: “All the comments saying avoid new builds, have never bought a new build.
“We’ve been in ours a year and it’s great. Good publicity doesn’t get views.”
Linden Homes have been contacted for comment.
It comes as an alleged cowboy builder was named as a wanted man by Crimestoppers.
Steven Fidler is now wanted by several police forces across the UK in relation to a string of building jobs which were not completed.
What to do if you fall foul of a dodgy builder
- Under the Consumer Rights Act, anyone who enters a contract for goods and services can expect these to be supplied with reasonable care and skill – and this includes builders, plumbers, decorators and electricians.
- It also includes materials, which should be of satisfactory quality, as described and fit for purpose.
- If you’ve fallen victim to a builder, or had a dispute with your contractors, you should firstly collate all evidence you have, including paperwork, photos, videos, messages and bank statements.
- Then, try to resolve the issues directly with the firm, before trying an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme such as mediation or ombudsman services.
- It is also important to contact Trading Standards. Citizens’ Advice has an online form to help you do this.
- Trading Standards will then decide whether to investigate further based on the information you provide and help negotiate a settlement.
- If the building company you’re using goes bust before the job is finished, you also have rights.
- According to Consumer Rights Expert, if you paid a deposit between £100 and £30,000 on a credit card you can try using Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
- This would give the credit provider equal liability in law for a breach of contract.
- You could also try and claim the deposit and any out of pocket expenses back from the finance company.