If the solicitor is "unhelpful" consider changing them. They should be on your side, not the builders.
It's not par for the course for new builds. Its par for the course for sub standard builders and developers. Night and day difference between different builders.
I think a hundreds spent now on surveys and reports might save you thousands later. I think if a builder hands it over like that, you've no hope they will fix any of the stuff, they'll just drag their feet every inch of the way. Had the same with my own house way back when. I regret I didn't walk away. It's a good location, but nothing short of rebuilding from the drains up will every fix all the issues.
It's not par for the course for new builds. Its par for the course for sub standard builders and developers. Night and day difference between different builders.
I think a hundreds spent now on surveys and reports might save you thousands later. I think if a builder hands it over like that, you've no hope they will fix any of the stuff, they'll just drag their feet every inch of the way. Had the same with my own house way back when. I regret I didn't walk away. It's a good location, but nothing short of rebuilding from the drains up will every fix all the issues.