After moving into Abbey Meads homes, a group of residents were quite shocked to find a series of problems with their houses even though they were brand new. James Watson reports.

MOST people experience a few snags when they move into new-build homes, such as windows that don't fit and cracks in the walls.

But one home-owner in Waggoner Close, near Groundwell East, Abbey Meads, says he has waited seven months for a catalogue of work to be done on his £147,000, three-storey, three-bedroom house.

Lyneham based RAF engineer David Sheppard, 32, moved into the terrace home in November last year.

He is still waiting for builder KingsOak to refit his first floor kitchen and second floor bedrooms and bathroom because of a badly sloping floor.

He is also waiting for work to be completed on his windows, which have been incorrectly fitted.

He says his driveway is incomplete with a plastic manhole cover sticking out that has been broken and could damage his tyres.

Mortar is coming out of the bricks on the second floor.

Mr Sheppard commissioned an independent report from chartered surveyor David Butler of Butfield Breach.

In a letter to Mr Sheppard Mr Butler wrote: "A full building inspection has not been taken, but from my limited inspection it appeared that the general standard of workmanship employed in the construction of your house was not of a high standard."

Mr Sheppard married wife Debbie, 32, three years ago and the couple say this was the first home they had bought together.

He said: "When I realised the floors were not level I was worried the house could be subsiding it is at the bottom of a hill.

"I called KingsOak and nine weeks ago a man came down from head office to look at the kitchen and take pictures.

"He said he would be in touch shortly to arrange a time for the work.

"Since then we have heard nothing.

"This was the first home we have bought together and we were looking forward to making it our own.

"But since we moved in we have had a series of things going wrong."

KingsOak South West spokeswoman Penny Adair said: "We are aware of the problems that Mr Sheppard has experienced with his new home, and we are currently in direct conversation with him to arrange a date for the work to be carried out as a matter of urgency.

"We do apologise for the inconvenience and will continue to monitor the situation closely."

Other residents in Waggoner Close have complained to KingsOak of more minor problems, which the company says it is rectifying.

Wayne Kayser, 32, had to vacate his three bedroom terraced home worth £122,000 within three hours of moving in because the water had not been turned on, leaving him homeless for five days while it was fixed.

Since arriving in June last year he has discovered a string of problems including a window which is not a good fit and a bathroom door that cannot be fully opened while the toilet seat is down.

He said: "There have been so many small but inconvenient problems you have to wonder if there are any major problems with the structure of the house that I will discover later."

Honda worker Nathan Pegler, 30, moved into a £145,000 three bedroom terraced house in October and chief among a series of minor problems was the fact that water from an underground spring was leaking into his garden.

He was forced to dig a trench at the back to give the water, which was turning his garden into a bog, somewhere to go.

And Tracey Sizer, 35, a call centre advisor, says faults in her home range from cracks appearing in plaster to poorly fitted windows in her £143,000 three bedroom terrace.

George Townsend said what annoyed him most was how long it took to rectify the minor niggles in his £141,000 three-bedroom home.

"There were a lot of small things." he said. "Some carpets had to be replaced because there was a snag running every six feet.

"There was also a rip in the felt on the roof and the doors had to be repainted.

"We identified most of the problems when we moved in November and it was not until February that they were sorted out and some are still outstanding.

"But my main concern is the condition they left the site in.

"The roads are in a mess and there is a lot of builders rubble left lying around."

But a KingsOak spokeswoman says only a minority of residents have experienced problems.

"Regarding issues with a small number of other residents at Blunsdon Park, these have now either been resolved or are due to be resolved.

"The vast majority of our buyers are happy with their new homes and we endeavour to deal with any issues arising promptly and efficiently.

"We are fully aware of uncompleted work on the road infrastructure and we have urged the Consortium responsible for this aspect of the development to resolve these issues on behalf of our customers."

Set out all your issues in writing

THE National House-Building Council, or NHBC, was established 65 years ago to give consumers buying new homes protection.

The NHBC, a not for profit organisation, operates a register of 18,000 house builders and sets technical standards for the specification of new builds.

It provides insurance and warranty protection for people buying homes built by its registered builders through its Buildmark cover.

Spokeswoman Melissa Blarney advises the first thing residents should do on discovering a problem is put it in writing to the builder and keep a copy of the letter.

During the first two years of the Buildmark cover the builder must put right any defects or damage that are reported in writing.

If a homeowner and builder cannot agree. NHBC offers a free independent Resolution Service.

This involves carrying out an investigation of the problems and if defects are found NHBC will instruct the builder to carry out necessary remedial works.

In the last eight years of the Buildmark cover, the homes are covered for damage costing more than £615 to put right.

This part of the Buildmark covers many structural items including double glazing, internal non-load bearing partitions, staircases and wet-applied wall plaster.

If you think you may have a claim contact the NHBC on (01494) 735363. www.nhbc.co.uk