Hello everyone,
Our shell construction is finished, and the screed has been poured. Yesterday, I noticed that our two basement exit doors are not at the same height.
I need to explain the following: Our house and our garage have separate basements. For KfW (a German development bank) requirements, the screed layer in the basement under the house is thicker than in the basement under the garage. The latter is intended to be a storage room for garden tools and does not have underfloor heating. So far, everything seems fine and acceptable to us.
However, because of the different screed heights, the doors, which are located close to each other, are at different heights. Even at this stage of construction, this looks quite unusual. Most of our basement is actually above ground level!
My question is: is this considered a construction defect? Shouldn’t the architect have taken this into account? It doesn’t seem right to distort the exterior appearance of the house in this way.
His response was that we had seen the plans and were aware that the screed heights would be different. We are laypeople and did not think about the doors.
I hope you can help us.
Our shell construction is finished, and the screed has been poured. Yesterday, I noticed that our two basement exit doors are not at the same height.
I need to explain the following: Our house and our garage have separate basements. For KfW (a German development bank) requirements, the screed layer in the basement under the house is thicker than in the basement under the garage. The latter is intended to be a storage room for garden tools and does not have underfloor heating. So far, everything seems fine and acceptable to us.
However, because of the different screed heights, the doors, which are located close to each other, are at different heights. Even at this stage of construction, this looks quite unusual. Most of our basement is actually above ground level!
My question is: is this considered a construction defect? Shouldn’t the architect have taken this into account? It doesn’t seem right to distort the exterior appearance of the house in this way.
His response was that we had seen the plans and were aware that the screed heights would be different. We are laypeople and did not think about the doors.
I hope you can help us.
P
Painkiller27 Jul 2016 08:02He is saying that the door on the right is not the final door but a construction door. Maybe, once the actual door is installed, it won’t be as noticeable?
In the end, though, Jochen is right—what does the building plan say?
In the end, though, Jochen is right—what does the building plan say?
Painkiller schrieb:
He is writing that the right side is not the final door but a construction door. Maybe with the actual door it won’t be as noticeable?
Ultimately, Jochen is right though—what does the construction plan say? It definitely stands out because there is a huge step between the exterior and the living area!
For me, that is clearly a defect!
Wastl schrieb:
That definitely stands out because there is a huge step between the outdoor area and the living space! For me, this is clearly a defect! Clear defect? If this was specified in the construction plans, in my opinion it is at most a cosmetic issue.P
Painkiller27 Jul 2016 12:07I see it the same way. Depending on how it is indicated in the construction drawings, it could be a defect or just a cosmetic issue.
But if I look at the design and the original poster’s photo, it shouldn’t only concern the door but also the windows. In the example photo, all the windows are at the same height, whereas in the current construction pictures, the windows in the storage room are at the same height as the door, and in the basement, they should be higher.
EDIT: One more thing that just came to mind, what type of doors are contractually specified?
But if I look at the design and the original poster’s photo, it shouldn’t only concern the door but also the windows. In the example photo, all the windows are at the same height, whereas in the current construction pictures, the windows in the storage room are at the same height as the door, and in the basement, they should be higher.
EDIT: One more thing that just came to mind, what type of doors are contractually specified?
The example photo is somewhat misleading, as the heights actually appear to be the same here.
Nevertheless, if the height difference was specified in the construction plans, then this is clearly not a defect but execution according to the contract. There are always aspects that clients may not like afterwards. Ultimately, a craftsman can only implement what has been ordered. Whether it looks nice or makes sense is initially irrelevant, as long as no serious problems arise from it. I do not see that as an issue here.
What puzzles me, though, is why two different heights are made unnecessarily. Even if you want to save a few cubic meters of concrete, you can simply create a stepped foundation pit. The cost for this is negligible, and you get a consistent appearance, especially no steps, and continuous walls and ceilings. Even as a layperson, I would consider such things beforehand. If you buy an SUV, you can’t later blame the dealer for not telling you that parking spaces are tight and insurance is expensive.
Nevertheless, if the height difference was specified in the construction plans, then this is clearly not a defect but execution according to the contract. There are always aspects that clients may not like afterwards. Ultimately, a craftsman can only implement what has been ordered. Whether it looks nice or makes sense is initially irrelevant, as long as no serious problems arise from it. I do not see that as an issue here.
What puzzles me, though, is why two different heights are made unnecessarily. Even if you want to save a few cubic meters of concrete, you can simply create a stepped foundation pit. The cost for this is negligible, and you get a consistent appearance, especially no steps, and continuous walls and ceilings. Even as a layperson, I would consider such things beforehand. If you buy an SUV, you can’t later blame the dealer for not telling you that parking spaces are tight and insurance is expensive.
Similar topics