Doubts about the quality of your builder's work: 5 steps to take
- Jan 23
- 3 min read
Your new home is ready, the keys are in your hands, but there is no peace of mind. Imprecise tiling, a strange sound in the heating system or suspicious moisture in the basement makes you ask yourself:
"Did my builder really do everything in good faith?"
Doubts are not just emotions – in the case of real estate, they can turn into expensive repairs in just a few years. Here is an action plan on how we can help you fix the reality and protect your interests.
Step 1: Stop "taking the word"
The builder will always say that "everything is within the normal range" and "the house is still sitting" . However, professional standards are precisely defined. The first step is to record all suspicious places noticed and request documentation of the construction work.
Step 2: Independent technical survey
When trust is undermined, a third-party perspective is needed. An independent expert will arrive at the site with special equipment (thermal cameras, moisture meters, laser levels) to see what is hidden under the plaster or facade.
Step 3: Preparation of the Defects Report
All discovered defects are summarized in an official document – a technical inspection report . This is not simply a list of complaints, but a legal basis with which to contact the builder to request warranty repairs.
A real story from experience:
"Lost Heat and Hidden Defects"
Object: New building in Pieriga, built by the company "Nezināms". Client (name anonymous): A young couple who purchased a house in the fully finished stage.
Already in the first winter, the clients noticed that the house cooled down surprisingly quickly, despite the powerful heat pump. The builder claimed that the system needed to be adjusted. The couple had doubts and invited us as specialists.
Our finding: While conducting thermography and inspecting the structural components, we discovered that in some places the roof covering had no thermal insulation at all, and the windows had not been fitted with appropriate sealing tapes. Heat was literally "flying out" through gaps that were invisible to the naked eye.
Result: The client approached the construction company with the technical report we prepared. After seeing the professional expertise and photo evidence, the builder carried out the insulation work without any objections and at his own expense. The client saved approximately 12,000 EUR , which he would otherwise have spent on heating bills and subsequent repairs.
Step 4: Setting deadlines for correction
Once the defects are proven, you have the right to set a reasonable deadline for their elimination. Thanks to an independent opinion, your position in negotiations with the builder becomes unshakable.
Step 5: Post-repair follow-up visit
Never sign an acceptance certificate for the defects that have been eliminated before an expert has verified that the work has been done in essence and not just visually masked.
Tips on how to avoid getting caught in the "builder's rake" :
Don't accept a house alone. Even if you're not an engineer, bring a professional with you to the house acceptance day.
Request a report of hidden works. They should include photographs of what is underneath the concrete or insulation.
Check the warranty period. Remember that many defects only appear after the first year of operation.
Your home is your security. Don't let the builder's negligence jeopardize it.
If you have even the slightest doubt about the quality of your new home, contact us.
We will come, check, and give you a clear answer - whether everything is in order, or whether it is time to request corrections.
