Disappointed to Report the Lows..

It's hard to write this, as our journey with Carlisle Homes so far has been great, amazing to be honest. Maybe there isn't much to this and we'll look back soon and realised that we jumped the gun and maybe over analysed or over reacted. But at the moment there is a bit of distaste in the mouth. Disappointed is the word. Confused and disappointed. Not even sure where the blame falls, it doesn't really matter. We just want the home we loved, to be built with as much hard work as we put into everyday life. For everyone to do the best job they possible can. I know, my expectations are too high, aren't they!

Our disappointments mainly revolve around the bricks but are then a culmination of other things (probably stemming from our annoyance). Where do I start without taking pages of writing. 

Our first concerns were about the alignment of the bricks on the pillars of the facade. Like I said earlier, who knows who is to blame for all this. The concreters, the brickies, the framers, the draftsman or our SS? The bricks have an overhang (which we have looked in to and is outside regulation), it will no doubt be fixed but why do we have to bring this up and why has is happened? -  in the frustrating part. It has occurred to two of the three pillars. 

First bricks have been laid and the next course is off to the right and straight from then on up

Was the concrete underneath not large enough to go straight from the first course?

Did the brickies make an error, then rectify it?

Overhung on the portico, again, why has this happened?

The last thing we want, in years to come is cracked bricks and render...

This next complaint has got me really annoyed. Carlisle Affinity Homes (ours) are supposed to have brickwork above all windows and doors (you pay for it). We are going to be left with gaps above lots of windows. So far, I think there is one window that has been coursed correctly. We felt it was the brickies inability to get their gauge right and course at the top of the window - but is it the draftsman or the framers??? - who knows. The fact that the facade windows are like this has annoyed me further. In our contract, it states that windows that do not align will have an aluminium filler. In the scheme of things, no one will probably realise, but how has this happened? We don't like it, we don't want it and we are not happy. We think it will look cheap. We had our building friend inspect, and he agreed that it shouldn't happen. Our SS said that it happens to windows and every build, even displays. It may to the odd window. BUT, there is not one house in our entire neighbourhood or any house I have driven past in the last few days that has them to the facade or where visable. The Carlisle displays in our area (new ones being built too) mostly have none. There were two different homes - with one window in the whole house..... 

You can see the gap between the lintel and the window (these are facade)

Not happy at all with this

Laundry Door - same effect

The Study - may be the worst

So, we sent an email to our SS 2 days ago explaining our disappointment and disgust (hopefully meeting him tomorrow) we also CC'd our CLE in on it. We have had a response from both but it is still being discussed. The worst came yesterday and is now being discussed with our SS and his manager - will keep you posted on the result.

Initially our SS had a quick conversation with my husband explaining that the particular brickie on at our house is extremely particular in his work and comes highly regarded. They set a gauge to a particular point (we are thinking the front door, etc.) then work from there. When windows don't line up you get the aluminium infill. How on earth have ours pretty much all not lined up - crazy. We did increase both our ceiling heights - did this effect it???? Anyway - he explained that was how it was done, etc. BUT and it's a HUGE BUT. The next day after this conversation this happened.... 

Our kitchen and butlers window are the same height. However, 2 things happened. 

1) the wrong window was put in the butlers (we didn't even realise - this was changed last week) 

2) the two windows were put in a bit too high. 

When the new butlers window was put in, it was lowered into the correct position (still not sure it's right though - it has also offset all the kitchen cabinets that will all now need to be changed). The kitchen window was yet to change (still at higher height). BUT the brickies - probably unaware of this - have continued with their work unbeknownst to them. Believe it or not they have the lintels in the correct spot - right on top of the window!!!! BUT the kitchen window needs to drop and therefore it seems we NOW HAVE AN ALUMINIUM INFILL...... So the butlers and kitchen will look totally different. It was raised and didn't need to happen but it has - unbelievable.

Yay the lintel is in the correct place - pity that the window isn't ......

(even though we talked about this yesterday before the brickwork was done)

Like I said, this may seem trivial and I'm sure it will all work out.

Here is a list of other things we have raised that are yet to be done (it doesn't mean they won't be, but it just adds to the annoyance). 

1. bricks not coursed to top of windows
2. overhang of bricks (not regulation) to front piers
3. gaps at one side of the butlers pantry
4. butlers and kitchen windows at different levels
5. butlers window not level in its own right
6. theatre window reveals to be replaced due to water damage
7. theatre window now brick damaged (bent framework)
8. 10 or so plaster faults - by inspector - yet to be rectified - though painting has started
9. bulge in plaster-work on stairwell - from scaffold brackets
10. plaster bulkhead in living/kitchen not straight (either side)
11. kitchen and butlers overhead cupboards too high - due to dropped window
12. wrong placement of overhead shelf in cupboard
13. graze/scratch on one kitchen drawer
14. chip on laundry laminate bench
15. bulkhead in lounge short in length (we will NOT bring this up as we prefer it!)
16. scratches to framework on most doors and some windows
17. master bedroom window winder broken
18. insulation needs replacing in two parts due to wrap wind damage 
19. electrical wire in brick pier missed (brickie checked with me today and he will fix tomorrow - grateful he saw it before they continued

All these things have been discussed with our SS. All (except the above window drama) we have been told will be fixed. It just all starts to compile and you start to feel like you might be losing control. Third world problems I know...........

The last I heard, a few hours ago, our SS (who has his office day today) was in discussions with his manager. Our CLE is disappointed to hear we aren't happy and hopefully we get some clarification in the next few days. Our SS has been really, really good so far. We do get the impression from his workers that he has a million things going on, which may explain some things. 

Backwards building at its worst.