Hello,
I have a question regarding building regulations. Our foundation stone for the single-family house was laid almost exactly 15 years ago. The house and the garage with adjoining rooms were planned and approved. The house was completed immediately, and the garage 1.5 to 2 years later. However, due to financial constraints, only the adjoining rooms (now our utility room) and a carport were built instead of the garage.
We have now noticed that the carport is almost 1 meter (3 feet) wider than the originally planned garage. The construction was carried out through the building company. Could this cause any problems retroactively? Is there a way to report this and get it approved afterward without any serious consequences?
Thank you and best regards,
Julia
I have a question regarding building regulations. Our foundation stone for the single-family house was laid almost exactly 15 years ago. The house and the garage with adjoining rooms were planned and approved. The house was completed immediately, and the garage 1.5 to 2 years later. However, due to financial constraints, only the adjoining rooms (now our utility room) and a carport were built instead of the garage.
We have now noticed that the carport is almost 1 meter (3 feet) wider than the originally planned garage. The construction was carried out through the building company. Could this cause any problems retroactively? Is there a way to report this and get it approved afterward without any serious consequences?
Thank you and best regards,
Julia
B
Bauexperte8 Dec 2016 12:23Jula4 schrieb:
Now we noticed that the carport is almost 1 meter (3 feet) wider than the garage would have been. It was arranged through the construction company. Now – do you mean now after living there for 15 years, or now as in discovering this after buying the property secondhand?In the first case, I wonder if you are trying to fool the forum users? If you mean the second option, contact the building authority and see what happens. Nobody is likely to force you to tear down the carport.
Best regards, Bauexperte
I’m sorry. You misunderstood me. However, I don’t understand the reference to the first case being about “tricking others.”
I joined this forum with the idea of wanting to build. We had, or have, the opportunity to do so. We are currently living well, but we are missing one room. Over the past eight weeks, we have learned a lot. We are no longer so sure about building new; we are risking a lot to start over. That brings up the question of whether it is worth it for us. As I said, we own property and generally live comfortably.
Our house is still listed for sale. We would prefer to buy a property because then we know what we’re getting, and it’s less stressful. But, as everywhere, offers are scarce right now.
Our plan B is to stay and continue renovating and modifying here. We also want to convert an old metal garage, left by my grandfather who originally lived here, into a wooden structure. I called the building department to ask if this would be allowed, since the garage would become 3sqm (32sq ft) larger.
That led to the question of whether my grandfather even got approval for this garage 40 years ago.
Fifteen years ago, we applied for a building permit for our single-family house, including a garage and utility rooms. As mentioned above, only the utility rooms were built, and instead of the garage, a carport was constructed. When I measured the metal garage recently, I noticed the carport is actually 1 meter (3 feet) wider than the original garage would have been. That’s how it is NOW.
At the time, we had 1.5-year-old triplets at home; it was extremely stressful, and we were just over 20 years old. Of course, ignorance is no excuse, so I’m trying to get informed.
If my “story” is now being questioned here, then there is no need for further discussion. I don’t want to get myself into trouble by talking too much.
I will not ask any more questions. I can only prove my sincerity to a limited extent.
I joined this forum with the idea of wanting to build. We had, or have, the opportunity to do so. We are currently living well, but we are missing one room. Over the past eight weeks, we have learned a lot. We are no longer so sure about building new; we are risking a lot to start over. That brings up the question of whether it is worth it for us. As I said, we own property and generally live comfortably.
Our house is still listed for sale. We would prefer to buy a property because then we know what we’re getting, and it’s less stressful. But, as everywhere, offers are scarce right now.
Our plan B is to stay and continue renovating and modifying here. We also want to convert an old metal garage, left by my grandfather who originally lived here, into a wooden structure. I called the building department to ask if this would be allowed, since the garage would become 3sqm (32sq ft) larger.
That led to the question of whether my grandfather even got approval for this garage 40 years ago.
Fifteen years ago, we applied for a building permit for our single-family house, including a garage and utility rooms. As mentioned above, only the utility rooms were built, and instead of the garage, a carport was constructed. When I measured the metal garage recently, I noticed the carport is actually 1 meter (3 feet) wider than the original garage would have been. That’s how it is NOW.
At the time, we had 1.5-year-old triplets at home; it was extremely stressful, and we were just over 20 years old. Of course, ignorance is no excuse, so I’m trying to get informed.
If my “story” is now being questioned here, then there is no need for further discussion. I don’t want to get myself into trouble by talking too much.
I will not ask any more questions. I can only prove my sincerity to a limited extent.
B
Bauexperte8 Dec 2016 22:22Jula4 schrieb:
I’m sorry. You misunderstood me. I couldn’t understand you either way; you’ve been too sparing with information so far.
Jula4 schrieb:
I don’t understand the hint about the first case being about “mocking others.” I was just over 20 once, too; but I’ve always grasped the difference between 3.00 and 4.00 meters (10 feet and 13 feet).
Jula4 schrieb:
Our plan B is to stay here and continue renovating and making changes. We also want to rebuild an old metal garage, a leftover from my grandfather who originally lived here, into a wooden structure. Why not just demolish it?
Jula4 schrieb:
Then the question came up whether my grandfather even obtained a building permit/planning permission for this garage 40 years ago. “Sorry, your grandfather is no longer alive (I hope I’m reading your post correctly), so you can’t ask him anymore?”
Jula4 schrieb:
In connection with the metal garage issue, I went out with the tape measure and saw that the carport is 1 meter (3 feet) wider than the garage would have been. That’s how it is NOW. No – it’s been that way for 15 years already!
Jula4 schrieb:
Back then, we had 1.5-year-old triplets at home, it was extremely stressful, and we were just over 20 years old. Of course, ignorance of the law is no excuse, so I’m trying to educate myself now. Even if I’m stepping on your toes now: don’t try to fool me; I’m familiar with your hedge, too. You’ve known for a long time that you built wider than permitted.
Jula4 schrieb:
If my “story” is now being questioned here, there’s nothing more to say. I don’t want to talk myself into trouble.
I won’t ask further. I can only partially prove my authenticity. Playing the “offended” card won’t get you anywhere.
Although I’m quite confident I can get a feel for the situation (I haven’t used pliers to close my jeans in a long time), I gave you good advice. Use it or continue playing the role of the reformed 30-something.
Regards, Bauexperte
@Bauexperte – I’m a bit surprised that this is such a big deal for you. It happens regularly in our experience that during new measurements we find that something has been built on, altered, or added here and there.
@Jula4: It’s not a big issue … if … the carport as it stands is basically eligible for a building permit/planning permission. Then you submit a building application for the carport, pay a bit more than if the carport weren’t already there, and that’s it.
The alternative is demolition, but it’s usually not worth it unless legalization is only possible with very high effort or not at all.
Regards,
Dirk Grafe
@Jula4: It’s not a big issue … if … the carport as it stands is basically eligible for a building permit/planning permission. Then you submit a building application for the carport, pay a bit more than if the carport weren’t already there, and that’s it.
The alternative is demolition, but it’s usually not worth it unless legalization is only possible with very high effort or not at all.
Regards,
Dirk Grafe
B
Bauexperte8 Dec 2016 22:41Dirk Grafe schrieb:
@Bauexperte – I’m a bit surprised that this seems like such a big deal to you. It’s quite common for us to find during new measurements that something has been added, modified, or extended here and there.
Big deal – no. I simply don’t believe that the original poster just “discovered” 15 years later that they had built 1.00 m (3.3 feet) beyond the allowed limit at that time.
Best regards, Bauexperte
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