John and Liz Pritchard, a couple in their 70s, have been living in a nightmare ever since they purchased a new £600,000 townhouse from Bovis Homes. Upon moving in, they discovered a series of appalling problems with their five-bedroom property at the Monument View development in Wellington, Somerset.
One of the most noticeable issues is the uneven flooring throughout the house. This became apparent when the couple noticed their furniture wobbling, leading them to investigate further. Mr. Pritchard stated that ground-workers sent by Bovis concluded that the entire floor would need to be ripped up and re-laid. However, when floor layers arrived weeks later, they were instructed to merely fill in some problem areas, a solution that Mr. Pritchard referred to as a “bodge job.” Despite an independent surveyor confirming the uneven floor, the couple’s concerns have been repeatedly dismissed by Bovis Homes.
The uneven floors have caused a domino effect of problems throughout the house. Walls and ceilings are misaligned, and fixtures and fittings are wonky. The couple has also been experiencing difficulties opening their front door, which appears to have been improperly fitted.
In addition to the visible defects, an independent surveyor uncovered almost 200 additional faults which could cost tens of thousands to repair. Mr. Pritchard even encountered an issue when trying to install his dishwasher, as it was blocked by a kickboard. When he contacted Bovis Homes, he was allegedly advised to saw it off himself.
The poor insulation in the property is another major concern. Mrs. Pritchard stated that guests sitting in the lounge can hear sounds from the upstairs toilet as if they were in the same room, a situation that could be embarrassing.
The couple’s attempts to rectify the issues with Bovis Homes have been met with little success. Workers from Bovis have attempted to fix the “badly fitted” kitchen, but it remains uneven, with cupboard doors that won’t close and a sink tap so tilted that the couple can’t even fit a kettle under it.
The Pritchards have also highlighted the “rank amateurish” brickwork on the property, particularly in the garage, where concrete appears to be falling away from some of the bricks and excess mortar is visible on the walls.
The couple’s year-long fight with Bovis Homes to correct the issues has left them “up night after night, unable to sleep.” They described their treatment by the house-builder as “disgusting and shocking” and alleged that their emails and telephone calls were repeatedly ignored.
The couple is now demanding that Bovis Homes steps in to carry out snagging works immediately. They have repeatedly requested that Bovis come and fix the issues but have been met with excuses, delays, and unsatisfactory solutions. They have even asked for their money back, but Bovis Homes has refused.
In response to the claims, Bovis Homes issued a statement apologizing for the issues experienced by the Pritchards and stating that they are working on a remediation plan. However, the Pritchards remain skeptical after months of unfulfilled promises and unsatisfactory responses from the house-builder.
