spec house built smaller than expected

I have bought a spec house recently and the builders are currently building it. At the beginning I viewed the showhouse and was impressed with the size of 108 sq.m. on the sales literature. Soon after I paid the booking deposit I signed contracts. Just before I did this I was given a drawing by my solicitor that was not to scale and had no clear dimensions on it. It just said 108 sq.m. My solicitor asked me if I was happy with it. I thought I was and so I signed. However whilst the builders were building the house and the walls went up, I suspected that my kitchen/ dining room was smaller than the show house. I measured the showhouse and then mine. My house was 108 sq.m. alright but the showhouse was 450mm wider and 450mm longer, making it 120 sq.m. The difference doesn’t seem a lot but 12 sq.m. is a decent size double bedroom and if I was to construct an extension for 12 sq.m. on my existing house it would cost me about 24 thousand. I feel short-changed. Even though there were caveats all over the sales literature and in the contract about building discrepancies etc., I think this was deliberate. Is there anything I can do.

Hi Bob,

Have you discussed this problem with your solicitor and if so what is their view?

Technically they havent done anything illegal here, it may be a tad misleading but the showhouse is intended as a guide only, just like a brochure. The contract plans must have been builders working drawings and therefore be full dimensioned and specified as regards rooms sizes, window opes etc. If they havent, or you believe you've been given something different and (deliberately) less detailed, then you may have a case.

You can't demand the show house legally after signing the contract for something different.You would not get the show car with 120 horse powers after agreeing to buy a similar car with an engine of 90 horse powers .But you could sue your solicitor if he made you believe otherwise.
heinbloed
P.S. : never buy shoes from the catalogue (smiley)

heiny, you're one funny guy