ONE of the UK s largest builders has apologised to a couple after they reported a catalogue of serious faults with their new home. Suzanne and Richard Dewar-Smith have suffered since April when they moved into their home in Copperfield Close, on the Fairf

ONE of the UK's largest builders has apologised to a couple after they reported a catalogue of serious faults with their new home.

Suzanne and Richard Dewar-Smith have suffered since April when they moved into their home in Copperfield Close, on the Fairfield Park estate, Stotfold, built by Persim-mon Homes.

The couple say problems started before they moved into their house, claiming they were pressurised into exchanging contracts.

During the following months their nightmare continued when faults began to appear in the house. The kitchen floor has been relaid three times as it was not level and is still not level.

The boiler broke down three times in the first two weeks after moving in and at one point the gas company was called and it instructed Mrs Dewar-Smith to turn it off.

"I'd been telling the site manager that I could smell gas for days and he kept fobbing me off," said Mrs Dewar-Smith.

"I called Transco and they came and measured the readings of gas and told me the boiler was leaking gas and to switch it off."

Other problems still outstanding on the house include a main window in the living room which needs replacing because it does not fit.

"It's just depressing. There isn't a day goes by when I'm not chasing up someone who should be here and isn't, or clearing up after someone who's been here or dealing with workmen in the house," added Mrs Dewar-Smith.

Even when Persimmon carried out work as a goodwill gesture, including laying a patio, the work was faulty and the company had to return to the property three times to fix it.

At one point, the couple say, their 15-month-old daughter Hannah picked up a Stanley knife blade that had been left on the kitchen floor by a workman.

"The workman had obviously changed the blade of his knife and left it under the kitchen unit."

"She came crawling in with it in her hand," said Mrs Dewar-Smith.

This week Persimmon Homes Thames Valley said in a statement: "Persimmon acknowledges there were an unusually high number of items reported to us via our one-month inspection facility.

"As a result it has taken longer to complete these works than would normally be the case.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to Mr and Mrs Dewar-Smith whilst the work has been ongoing.

"With the exception of the extra works which have been requested by the owners, we believe there are only a few minor items which require attention and we are liaising with Mr and Mrs Dewar-Smith in order to conclude any outstanding work as soon as possible.