leaking bathroom - legal advice?

[bongerman]

We bought our house in 2001 - a brand new house. There is a leak in the bathroom that has started dripping through our dining room ceiling. We called plumbers out who "fixed" it. Insurance paid. Started leaking again - same plumbers have come out and said it's a "different job" now. Got in touch with insurance again who've come out and implied shoddy workmanship from the original builders is to blame so don't think they should pay out and that we should contact NHBC NHBC appear to say that despite the 10-year guarantee unless something was put in writing in the first 2 years they're not liable. Early days yet but with a baby and my wife going back to work in Sept would really like it sorted before then. Who should we go to - builder? NHBC? Insurance? Plumber (as it's still leaking)? or legal advice? Any answers appreciated - can give more details if anyone can help. Thanks in advance...

[buildersmate]

Can only offer you a part answer. The 10 year NHBC 'guarantee' is a misnomer, I'm afraid. The 10 year part is the structural warranty in the event of failure of the foundations or roof structure - the rest of the warranty is limited to 2 years. I think you would have to show a good reason why you couldn't find the fault within the first two years.

[gina32]

hope you get more joy than i did with the nhbc they were no good at all, i even went to my mp and he wrote to them but am still having to pay for work that the builder didnt do in the first place. its not worth the paper its written on.

[bongerman]

thanks buildersmate... the reason we didn't find it is because it didn't leak until now. It is apparently though "shoddy workmanship" from the original builder. Are you saying buildrers only need to build to a standard that will last over 2 years?!

will we end up paying?

[gina32]

i have an en suite that cant be used because the buiders didnt put the water tank high enough and so no pressure, but im not covered! im the second owner of the house but the builders said the former owners didnt bring it up so i cant! great isnt it