Settling into your new home: ‘Running in’ your new home
‘Running in’ your new home
Your new home is a product of many different materials. Many of these are natural materials, which require care and attention as your new home undergoes its ‘running in’ period. As the home is lived in and heated, timber and plaster may shrink, causing small cracks. These cracks are not structurally important and can be cured in the normal process of redecoration.
In order to minimise cracking, keep a reasonable, even temperature. Central heating should be used sparingly at first, which allows the building structure to warm up and dry out gradually – this will save fuel too.

- Total central heating failure (subject to outside temp)
- Total electricity failure
- Failure of external household door locks
- Major escape or ingress of water
- Blocked drains causing escape of effluent
- Gas leaks
- Anything caused by the homeowner’s failure to follow operating instructions properly or to take reasonable precautions.
- Events, such as storm damage, which are outside the builder’s control and which are normally covered by household insurance.
- Whilst we will repair defects for an initial period of time within your home, you are responsible for wear and tear, decorating and routine maintenance.
We are not responsible for problems caused by these
- Scratched glass both internally and externally subsequent to moving into your new home although checks are made during the handover
- Cracked or chipped sanitary ware after legal completion
- Everyday wear and tear
- Not following manufacturer’s service and maintenance instructions
- Structural damage due to severe storms and gales
- Soil and waste pipe blockages due to improper use
- Storm damage to external fences
- Shrinkage and cracking of walls caused by drying out and common to all new properties
- Pitting of sanitary fittings due to usage of abrasive cleaners
- Re-pointing of patio slabs and steps due to slight earth movement as ground is drying out. Please note that this is not a structural problem
- Door clearances are allowed for typical floor coverings but we will not ease doors for flooring laid following legal completion
- We cannot be responsible for squeaking stairs after they have been carpeted, and we recommend that stairgrippers are screwed and not nailed