ᐅ Incorrectly installed main utility lines

The correct response would have been to send the pictures and point out that all positions are shifted by about 1 meter (3 feet), suggesting that he should take a look at it soon to then take the necessary steps to correct it. Then wish him a nice weekend and that would have been fine. If nothing happens by next Tuesday/Wednesday, or if construction suddenly starts, it would be good to follow up.

Most likely, the connections will be relocated, and the current ones will be filled in. Whether this is done correctly will ultimately only be confirmed by an expert report (the site manager usually doesn’t listen to anything else, if at all).

Errors from measuring at incorrect points happen all the time. A classic example is when the rough subfloor suddenly becomes the finished floor, causing specific or all items to be 20 cm (8 inches) lower than planned (for example, the toilet, windows, or electrical outlets), or when height is not properly accounted for (like stairs or even the ceiling)...

A neighbor’s house ended up shifted by 2 meters (6.5 feet) because they misinterpreted the setback boundary marker by 2 meters (6.5 feet) — simply ignoring the setback during their own survey instead of having a professional surveyor do it.

ypg schrieb:
Hm... can it get any less friendly? He first needs to assess the current situation.

But he has time for that, and he should have noticed the defect earlier. I noticed it myself because I am involved with my construction.

I already had to remind a subcontractor's employee twice to actually look at the scope of work description.

ypg schrieb:
Reminder emails should be avoided, I don’t know any tradesperson who voluntarily checks their inbox every day.

Why? I am working with a general contractor. Even on Sundays, the site manager reads the emails.

ypg schrieb:
A reminder must also include a deadline; otherwise, you are just giving them endless time. Besides...

You are right. But I deliberately did not set a deadline. That would only be due upon completion of the house.

ypg schrieb:
Are you building with a general contractor? Then they owe you the house as planned... what happens in the meantime you have to partly endure. So if something happens on a Friday afternoon and the site manager only wants to get an idea of the correctness of the work next week, you can’t intervene, threaten, or send reminders before he even had time to respond. You can point out that something caught your attention… he should check it… but sending reminders right away is completely exaggerated.

It’s good that you are vigilant, but please give the site manager or general contractor time to react.

I am also giving them time to respond. I pointed out the defect. I also want to prevent greater financial damage. On the site, I have no authority over the tradespeople. The site manager dismissed my phone call lightly.

I have nothing to add except: have fun with the rest of your build. I believe you either ruined your chances with this email or you are on the right track with your approach and opinion.

Payday schrieb:
The correct response would have been to send the pictures and point out that all positions are shifted by about 1 meter (3.3 feet), and that he should take a look at it soon to then take the necessary steps for correction. Then wish him a nice weekend and that would have been fine.

I informed the site manager by phone immediately on Friday.

November 13 – Foundation and earthworks completed
November 14 – Fine staking conducted by surveyors
November 15 – Strip footings for the house installed
November 16 – Main utility lines laid
November 17 – Ground slab and strip footing for the garage constructed

I responded in writing by email on Saturday. Also to prevent further damage from continuing construction, with photos attached in the email.

Payday schrieb:
If nothing happens by next Tuesday/Wednesday, or if they suddenly start masonry work, then it’s worth asking about it.

I am giving the general contractor time to respond as well.

Payday schrieb:
Most likely the connections will be reinstalled, and the current ones covered up. Whether that is correct or not, in the end only an expert report will tell you (the site manager usually doesn’t listen to anything else, if at all)

Which expert? Do you mean they will hire a specialist?
You apparently have little knowledge of DIN standards. DIN 1986 applies here.

ypg schrieb:
I won’t say anything except: have fun with the rest of the build. I think you either made things harder for yourself with this email or you are on a promising path with your approach and opinion.

For your information, the site manager called me today. He agreed with me. The utility lines are installed incorrectly. The heating and plumbing company has 14 days to present a solution.

Well, the plumbing specialist will certainly be glad that this problem is now behind them.

Bau-Schmidt schrieb:
how can the defect be professionally fixed

Excavation, debris removal, rebuild. I would definitely not agree to adjusting the pipes above the slab.

I hereby request that you professionally remedy the specified defects and restore the contractually agreed condition.

I find this wording correct, not unfriendly or anything like that. What is missing is a deadline and, if necessary, the addition at the end "should you let the deadline pass without result, we reserve the right to have the defects remedied by a third party at your expense." This is standard construction language for anything that cannot be resolved immediately after a verbal request.