An Experience of Buying a Barratt / David Wilson Homes New Build Property

Soffits, Fascias and Roof

Last year one of our neighbours had issues with their fascias and their entire house had to be scaffolded while the fascias were replaced. Concerned for our property, they let us know and we did a visual check from ground level. Everything ‘appeared’ to be ok.

January 2024

It was only after high winds from a recent storm when were heard a knocking sound coming from the roof, after which a small gap between the render and the soffits appeared at the rear of the property. A quick climb of a ladder revealed the fascias were not attached; it was just the stickiness of the render and mastic around the windows that held them in place. I made a short video (below) and sent to the office for comment.

Shortly after, it was agreed that scaffold would be erected at the rear of the property, over and on a recent extension we had had built. The soffits and fascias in the problem area were to be replaced. At the time I asked why assume the problem contained in one area and suggsted that the rest of the house should be checked, however the site manager felt this was unnecessary!

By the end of January 2024, scaffold had been erected at the rear of the property in readiness for another contractor to remedy the issue. With scaffold in place, I had a better opportunity to look over the roof. First off I was amazed by the amount of builder’s debris on the roof then spotted a broken tile. It had clearly been damaged by a roofer stepping on it so would need to be replaced. Strangely, because of the angles, this damaged could not been seen from ground level.

Shortly after, a different site manager returned with contractors to the property to assess the work needed. After seeing the issues himself, he completely agreed with my own assessment that the issues would likely be more widespread and agreed that the entire house would be scaffolded and that it should have been done in the first instance.

Contractors began replacing the soffits and fascias at the rear of the property then had to stop when it was discovered the wrong end-caps had been fitted over the tiles and that some of the tiles on the roof had been cut too short for the end-caps. Replacement tiles were needed, the would be at least a week's delay due to procurement and approvals. Why they don't have these available on the building site begs belief! With poor weather forecase, we just wanted the open side of our house to be sealed from the elements and the fascias, soffits to be corrected and with additional issues now found, the end-caps installed correctly, debris removed from the roof and the broken tile replaced!

By early February, the scaffold company was back and over the next few days, the entire house was covered with scaffold. When the scaffold was complete nothing happened for a further 2 weeks as the contractors present earlier, had another job on. During this time, other residents of the estate had asked us what the issues were with the property. I happily showed them the photos and videos above and hoped for their sake, that the problems were not more widespread across the development.

March 2024

When the contractors returned, they looked at the scaffold and said the scaffold had to be repositioned as it was not erected in a position that they could do their work. So... work was delayed further week in anciptation of the scaffolder's return. Two weeks later after the scaffold had eventually be re-positioned, the contractors returned and work commenced. That was a month of contractors coming and going, erecting and re-adjusting the scaffolding before any proper progress on repairs had been made! I'm certainly working in the wrong industry, there's no sense of urgency here!

Fortunatley, a week later after a solid week of work, the contractors reported their work complete, tidied up [mostly] and left. With the scaffold still in situ, I once again climbed up for another look. The soffits and fascias were now secure and also sealed to the house with mastic. The gaps in the render had been filled and the roof debris cleared. It was looking so much better until... I found another broken tile...

I didn’t recall seeing this breakage earlier, and on closer inspection, the break did look new. A nail was wedged between the two adjacent tiles and an older one under the tile. I suspect the nail under the tile was the culprit and with a bit of weight on the tile was sufficient to break it. We now await to see what action will follow.

A sense of de-ja-vu came across me as I sent the latest pictures to the office and requested the damage be repaired before removing the scaffold! Confirmation was shortly received that the tile would be replaced but... we had to await for procurement of another 'single' tile before the contractors would return; seriously, if I didn't have a sense of humour!

The 'procurement process' took another week and the contractors returned on XXXXX to replace the broken tile;

So, great job Barratt Homes, it took 4 months to replace two tiles, refit the soffits and fascias that hadn't been installed correctly and to clear your mess strewn all over the roof!

I voiced my displeasure to Barratt and an offer of a family meal of value of up to £100 was offered as compensation. I would have to provide receipts of course and that's what we did. After enjoying a meal, receipts were submitted and we now await reciept of funds [I wonder if that goes through that same procurement processes?].

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