I need some advice. I am buying a new build in a large development and have run into an issue. It's just had the de-snag inspection, and I'm nearly at closing stage. There was supposed to be a storage room off the master bedroom that I was going to turn into a walk in wardrobe/closet. About 2 months ago I was told of a mistake in the plans and that the storage room was actually an ensuite. I had mixed feelings as I was disappointed to be losing the walk-in wardrobe, but kindof happy to get an ensuite but annoyed at the extra tiling and shower enclosure costs etc. I'm a solo buyer and my budget is very tight.
At the time, I did query with my solicitor out of curiosity, and the advice was that if I got a reduction in house price to compensate for losing storage space, increased costs etc, that I would have to reapply for a new loan offer and new FHS because of the new purchase price. I didn't want to go through any of that again, so I didn't pursue it further. And there were two wardrobes coming with the house, (one in each bedroom) so I figured that it would be okay.
I got in to the house for the first time recently, and I am very disappointed with the wardrobe in the master bedroom. It's really small, and as it's over the stair bulkhead, you'd want to be 7ft tall to touch the rail and it's well out of my reach. However, this could be normal though in new builds, I don't know?
In the specs it says "PC Sum for robes or a fitted wardrobe 1200mm wide shall be provided to the main bedroom (half in adjustable shelving, half with a hanging rail). One additional 900mm fitted wardrobe shall be supplied in houses with two or more bedrooms." The PC sum allocation is €1000 for wardrobes. Also, there is a standing wardrobe in the other bedroom.
As I haven't paid for the house yet, what are my options? Do I accept the wardrobe in the wall as is in return for the ensuite that I never asked for? If I complained would they just lower the rail so that I could reach it? Would they put in another of the free standing wardrobes into the Master bedroom? I can't request a reduction in the purchase price as I am not getting a new loan offer or FHS funds. Could I get some money back from the developer after the funds are transferred?
Also, I don't want to sound ungrateful about getting a surprise ensuite. But now that I have some quotes for tiling etc. and have seen just how expensive things like vanity units, mirrors, shower enclosures are etc. I would have preferred to have spent that money on a walk-in wardrobe. Also, someone on the site told me that others are complaining about losing the storage space and the small wardrobe, so it's not just me.