Re: Quality of new build houses
 

Wow, sounds exactly like what's happening to our gardens. Though we're in Glasgow and it's called Riverside.

Have attached a photo of the worst part between us and our neighbours. Currently it's not rained for 4 days, but still it's wet and mushy. Haven't even cut it yet this year as I don't want to tread on it

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

This is unbelievable, it's not rained in Glasgow for four days :shocked: :)

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

:p::D never heard that one before ;)

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

It may not have rained for 4 days but it rained pretty constantly last winter and for much of the spring. Our own back garden is also soft to the point of squelching and the front had standing water on it after a storm early last week, however it was not like that during the first winter we were here (2022-23).

You may have poorly draining land but this past winter has brought out the worst in it.

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

Yeah, it has been worse recently but still was like this since we've moved in. They've actually set up a project manager to redo all the gardens in every street.

They've had complaints ever since the beginning. Others have been much worse.

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

The builders leave all sorts in gardens underground including plastic, rubble, etc so no wonder the gardens can't absorb rain water.

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

Although correct, if anything rubble would help in drainage.

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

Most mains wiring is single strand copper nowadays (2.5mm twin & earth). Never had a problem replacing a socket, I've replaced many.

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

Replaced and installed more than I can remember, storage radiators as well.
I've never actually seen stranded copper wires used for house wiring (it is perfectly acceptable though).

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

A council house near me was found to have its original late 40s wiring in the early years of this century. Rubber-coated stranded copper wire wrapped in a cotton sheath. Even the plugs were an old type, with the live pin being a screw-in fuse (Dorman Smith). They used to be called "Corporation Plugs", as only the city council could sell them.

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

On Youtube is a Welsh guy who inspects new build homes. The stuff he finds is shocking.

"New Home Quality Control"

e.g. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDDl2y2Z_Rg

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

They seem to be building them on flood plains a lot. Makes sense to someone I'm sure...

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

Yeah, the land's much cheaper, so the profits are higher.

Re: Quality of new build houses
 

A load of houses were built on a flood plain near us. After a few years it was obvious that most were sinking as the ground was not stable. A couple were demolished, but the others had concrete "rafts" built under then.

Despite flood defences being erected several years earlier, they cannot be insured against flooding due to "historic floods". Our home is the same behind a 3-metre dyke, and no floods since the early 60s.