Stories

Sat, 26 Sep 2026

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 The ecstasy of buying our first home was short-lived after we found 150 faults

Getting the keys to a new home felt like a dream come true, until this couple found 150 faults.
The National House-Building Council (NHBC) says it is the responsibility of builders to ensure that homes meet building regulations, and homeowners must raise any issues with the house builder within two years. However, many buyers have reported difficulties in getting problems fixed by builders. Some of the major house-building companies, including Taylor Wimpey, Watkin Jones, Barratt Redrow, and Persimmon Homes, refused to comment or did not respond for comment. The Welsh government said it was committed to making sure homebuyers get high-quality homes and are protected if things go wrong. The article also mentions the UK government's plans to invest £39bn in affordable housing and train up to 60,000 construction workers. However, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) says that quality standards are not keeping pace with the rate of housebuilding, and there is a need for more homes but "major barriers" preventing their construction. The article highlights the issue of builders facing skills challenges in some areas, labor shortages affecting new home builds, and the importance of statutory registration for builders with the New Homes Quality Board. It also emphasizes the need for homeowners to take care when choosing snagging inspectors and ensuring they are suitably qualified and accredited by a professional body. The article concludes by stating that while there is a comprehensive framework of regulation in place, additional blanket inspections may be necessary to ensure quality standards are met.