[Two Sunflowers]

Hi

We built our house through a large building company, it is about 20 months old. We have noticed a crack in the ceiling, cornice and wall.

Anyone know if the building company would be required to fix this or is it our responsibility.

thanks

[HerringToMarmala...]

I'd be careful to checkout the cause before trying to get it fixed. We have a crack in the wall due to a problem with the foundations which is a big issue that just patching it up won't fix.

[Two Sunflowers]

Thanks Herring. Do you know how one goes about finding the cause?

[qak]

I would ask a building inspection company (eg Tyrells - not sure if they are where you are) as a starting point. Also check the regulations on new home buildings with your state Department of Fair Trading or equivalent.

Usually there is a set timeframe for which the builder is responsible for 'major' defects. The problem tends to be whether they agree it is major, and whether they wil come back to fix it.

[Maple Leaf]

Check your paperwork to see what the builder is responsible for. Different things have different 'time frames'. Some things up to 7 years they will come back and fix.

Good luck!

[KT1978]

I don't know where you are but we are in NSW.

We had problems this summer with our front gates not closing properly. We thought it was due to the gate needing to be rehung. After talking to some bricklayers we know, they advised us to put a hose on it (dribbling) for 4 days! It worked, the gate is back in line.

Turns out the whole fence was leaning (not visible to the naked eye) due to the ground drying out and cracking beneath it. The only visible thing to us was that our gates stopped closing properly.

Could your house be affected by the dry weather, rather than it be a building defect?

Also, I'm assuming you aren't in a mining subsidence area? Have you had a good look at your gutters? (if you see that the gutters look warped it could be your roof beams that are buckling)?

After 20 years, I think it would be rare for this to be a building defect but I think some builders have 20-25 year structural guarantees. I think you need someone to look at it to know what the cause is first before you can work out what to do.

Sorry - just saw it is 20 months. Yep I would definitely be asking the builder to return and look at it.

This post has been edited by KT1978: 18/02/2013, 10:26 AM

[~*Twilight~Zone*...]

I got a water leak 5 years after our house was build. The flushing on the tiles was split.

Builder came out and repaired damage plus flushings.

Give them a call.

[boatiebabe]

Usually stuff like that is under warranty for 7 years.

Check the documents in the handover package as that will contain information about the situation you describe.

I would contact your builder asap.

[sophiasmum]

Surely you are covered under the home owners warranty for 7 yrs & so the builder should come & at least check it out & fix (the cause & damage) if necessary.

[Two Sunflowers]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I contacted the builders this morning, at their request I sent an email outlining the issue along with a very dodgy photo (the best I could do). The receptionist said she would review it and pass it on if necessary (I will assume it will get passed on regardless!).

I know the information is 'somewhere' I will look for it tonight, I was just hoping for some EB feedback. I am pretty sure that it is 25 years for structural defects, but am unsure if this is considered a structural defect or not acording to their definitions.

Twilight, that is great taht they came out and repaired everything after 5 years.

KT1978, we are in Victoria and have had very little rain which I am guessing would have an impact. Our new floorboards (11 months old different company) have shrunk. When I spoke to them the guy said that it was due to the hot days and lack of rain. They are coming out to have a look - I suspect they will not do anything because it may cause damage down the track when we do get rain. There is one area that is pretty bad which I will expect them to fix which, when they see the damage I am sure they will - it will just be a matter of recutting one floorboard, of which I have spare. DH cleaned the gutters out just last week and did not mention any warping etc, I will ask him about it tonight - thanks for the idea.

Thanks again lovely people, I appreciate your comments