New build - snagging / retention

[schmalex]

We're buying a brand new house and have just had the results of the snagging survey through. There are lots of snags! Some of it is small stuff like paint splashes, but there are also issues with damp and a lack of phone/TV points that have to be sorted out.

We're keen to press ahead as our buyer is ready to go and we don't want to end up renting for 6 months. Has anyone any experience of negotiating a retention amount? TIA

Are you buying from a National House Builder or a local one ? A national one you have a chance of slim to none (we tried with Taylor Wimpy, it was flatly refused). I think you may have more luck with a small developer.

It is a small developer. Although, having slept on it, I'm feeling like some of the problems are so bad we might have to pull out.

Thanks for the info!

Why is there damp in a new build? This would ring alarm bells with me. It it due to a incorrectly fitted loo/radiator/pipe that's been fixed and is just drying out (this can take some some) or is it due to a problem with the building fabric which to me indicates something more serious.
All new builds will have some snagging and sometimes it will be lots of things. Minor things wouldn't bother me so much (decor related especially) but serious items could indicate bigger problems so it would depend on what's on there as to how I would view it.
I've never bought a new house so have no idea about negotiating with housebuilders from that point of view. I have worked with a few though and I would say tie things down in writing before forking out money as although some are honest, they generally only interested in sorting things out in their favour. Often verbal promises to finish work/make changes are hard to pin down whereas if they are in writing they have a bit more clout.

Anew build should not have damp! That would worry me a lot, sorry.

Thanks, I am pretty worried too! Looks like we might me back to square one...

The damp would worry me too. I heard a programme on the radio recently where an expert said consumers have more protection buying a tin of beans than they do with buying a new build house, so proceed with caution!