New-build homeowner finds 150 faults days after moving in

NHBC said it was the responsibility of the builders to ensure they meet building regulations and homeowners must raise any issues with the house builder within two years.

If they are not fixed can seek resolution via NHBC.

The organisation said it carries out inspections at “key stages of the build” and “provide feedback” on the quality.

Home Builders Federation (HBF), which represents the building industry said: “New homes are not made in a factory.

“They are bespoke products, built by numerous tradespeople, often on sites exposed to all weathers, and it is inevitable that on occasions there are some snags.”

It said the “vast majority of snagging issues are minor” and there was no evidence that quality standards were not keeping pace with the rate of housebuilding.

While there is a need for more homes, house-building levels are flatlining due to “major barriers” preventing their construction, it said.

But “quality and service levels remain extremely high” and there is “no evidence” that labour shortages are affecting the new homes.

“Although the industry does face skills challenges in some areas, as does the wider construction industry, we are currently building around 200,000 homes a year versus a need to deliver around 300,000 with no sign of output increasing,” it said.

HBF said it would support statutory registration for builders with the New Homes Quality Board but warned that snagging inspectors were not regulated.

“Customers need to take care that any inspector they use is suitably qualified and accredited by a professional body, such as RICS,” it added.

“We do not believe additional blanket inspections are necessary. There is already a comprehensive framework of regulation, building control, warranties and builder quality assurance in place.”

Property developers Taylor Wimpey refused to comment, and Watkin Jones, Barratt Redrow and Persimmon Homes did not respond for comment.

The Welsh government said it was committed to making sure homebuyers get high quality and are protected if things go wrong.

The UK government said it was investing £39bn in affordable housing and pledged £625m to train up to 60,000 construction workers.