Home  5  Books  5  GBEzine  5  News  5  HelpDesk  5  Register  5  GreenBuilding.co.uk
Not signed in (Sign In)

Categories



Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.
Buy individually or both books together. Delivery is free!


powered by Surfing Waves




Vanilla 1.0.3 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

Welcome to new Forum Visitors
 Join the forum now and benefit from discussions with thousands of other green building fans and discounts on Green Building Press publications: Apply now.




Building Regulations and Standards: Is insulation covered by the NHBC?

Bottom of Page

1 to 18 of 18

  1.  
  1.  
    I went to see job this evening and broke into a loft void to investigate the roof structure. I was astounded to see that there is no loft insulation at all. The house is approximately 5yrs old and was built by a major housebuilder. The owner of the house is rather annoyed and would like to know if she can lodge a claim for the extra cost she has incurred to heat her young daughters bedroom; as well as having the correct amount of insulation installed. Anyone know if this is covered by a NHBC warranty?
    • CommentAuthorPeter A
    • CommentTimeJan 19th 2008
     
    Hi Mike, I would have thought that the NHBC would have to put right the work, not sure how she would get on claiming for the heating bills, perfectly within her rights to claim but could see it being a long process, she will need to be strong willed and persistant, the NHBC are nothing more than an insurance company and we all know that insurance company's will do their upmost not to pay out even though in this case there is no argument.
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeJan 19th 2008
     
    There may be a case against the builder and the inspecting body.

    If neither of them nor the NHBC will rectify it then I will.

    I am not a bit surprised as I have seen this before on a 1980's house.

    How about name and shame?
    • CommentAuthorMike George
    • CommentTimeJan 19th 2008 edited
     
    Thanks both. I don't want to name them without the owners say so. I am going to suggest they contact the house builder and ask them how many houses on this estate are the same design, and whether any of them have insulation in this void, which is normally inaccessible. That should get some action. Maybe they could spread the news to their neighbours after they get theirs sorted :bigsmile::rolling:
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeJan 19th 2008
     
    I m not doing all their neighbours so u better tell me the address
    • CommentAuthorPeter A
    • CommentTimeJan 19th 2008
     
    Mike, that should do the trick, they will be sweating with that threat, it works every time.
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeJan 20th 2008
     
    Insurance policies (like that provided by the NHBC & Zurich) tend not to cover "quality of construction" issues.

    I recall a case being discussed on another forum where someone was having problems with their soil pipes. They were regularly getting blocked due to generally poor layout. However their warranty claim was denied because the drains "worked" when they were unblocked.
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeJan 20th 2008
     
    or to put it another way...the insulation hasn't failed, it was never there to start with.
    • CommentAuthorPeter A
    • CommentTimeJan 20th 2008
     
    Mike, the NHBC if they think the claim justified will make the developer put right the work as the developer is liable for latent defects for 10 years from completion. As posted earlier the best approach for compensation about the heating bill is the good old threat to stir up the neighbours, approaching watch dog usually catches the eye of senior management, developers won't like bad press especially as the market gets a bit tighter.
  10.  
    You or your client(?) could ask the other people on the street if they have the estate issue, class action sort of thing....

    J
  11.  
    Update: Client went to the new Phase being built and was given short shrift from the rep. She was told that whatever has been installed [or not installed] would fully comply with the very stringent standards enforced by the NHBC :rolling:

    Not funny at all really, and the owners are now canvasing others on the estate to see how widespread this is. They are also going to engage someone with a thermal imaging camera.

    Should every new house owner be running their own checks? Is the standard of workmanship and inspection really this bad? or is this an isolated incident? What do we think?
  12.  
    Could you make an estimate of the householders losses in extra heating cost Mike? If so, I would encourage them to file a claim in the County Court against the builder (very cheap to do and no lawyers required). Clearly, the householder has a right to expect that the house they have paid for has been insulated according to the building regulations prevailing at the time.

    My guess is they will settle out of court including costs. If they don't then they will have an uncomfortable time explaining themselves in front of a judge...
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeFeb 15th 2008
     
    It will not be an isolated incident -- the above mentioned guys are basically an insurance company only pay lip service to quality ( aiming at average! ) and rely on the insurance to cover losses minimising these by fobbing off letters etc. The inspections are effectively in house often non existent and in my opinion poor.

    I have seen several examples of missed out roof insulation myself.
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeFeb 16th 2008
     
    Is there any insulation in the walls?
  15.  
    Bubblewrap stapled to 125mm thermal block. Brick outer leaf The new phase currenty being built is the same
    • CommentAuthorMike George
    • CommentTimeFeb 16th 2008 edited
     
    Posted By: Chris WardleCould you make an estimate of the householders losses in extra heating cost Mike? If so, I would encourage them to file a claim in the County Court against the builder (very cheap to do and no lawyers required). Clearly, the householder has a right to expect that the house they have paid for has been insulated according to the building regulations prevailing at the time.

    My guess is they will settle out of court including costs. If they don't then they will have an uncomfortable time explaining themselves in front of a judge...


    Thanks Chris, I'll pass this on to the owner
    •  
      CommentAuthorDaren
    • CommentTimeMar 9th 2008
     
    Mike,

    I had a similar situation. Went into a loft, found no insulation. This had been certified by an Architect and inspected by 3 mortgage surveyors. Luckily the builder was happy to go back and install it straight away. I don't know what the owner did about the additional cost of the heating though.

    I think that thermal imaging on completion is a good idea, and I'm contemplating including it on any further contracts where we are involved.
    • CommentAuthorModerator
    • CommentTimeApr 29th 2009
     
    From TonyB

    Please note. That if you are replacing and or having insulation installed for the first time you need to ensure that the original design was for the insulation to have thermal properties only.

    An example of this is one where we have argued with the NBHC for two years where they have eventually agreed to remediate and the insulation was being used as the air permeability barrier and as such the reworks has ended up costing 65% of the original cost to rebuild.

1 to 18 of 18

  1.  
Add your comments

    Username Password
  • Format comments as
 
Back to Discussions Top of Page
   
The Ecobuilding Buzz
Site Map    |   Home    |   View Cart    |   Pressroom   |   Business   |   Links   
Logout    

© Green Building Press