ᐅ Retrofit balcony mounting system

Good morning,

I would like to ask for some advice. We had a prefabricated house built through a general contractor. We also had a balcony constructed, but at the time of selecting the finishes, we decided to install the balcony railing ourselves.

Unfortunately, the builder did not inform us that a mounting fixture would be necessary for securing the railing.

Now I am looking for companies to install the railing, but everyone refuses because it would require cutting into the façade and insulation to screw the railing onto the wooden beam, and no one wants to assume liability for the warranty. How should we approach this issue with the builder? Does the missing mounting fixture count as a construction defect?

Thank you very much for your opinions!
Tessa

Tessa12 schrieb:

Unfortunately, the contractor did not inform us that a special fixture would be needed for the railing installation.
Now I am looking for companies to securely attach the railing, but all decline because it would require cutting into the facade and insulation extensively to screw the railing onto the wooden beams, and none want to take responsibility for the warranty. How should we address this issue with the homebuilder? Does the missing fixture count as a construction defect?

Well, you ordered and received a house with a balcony but without a railing.

Since YOU wanted to install the railing yourselves, it should have been YOU—not the general contractor (GC)—who initiated that discussion. The GC had no idea what type of railing YOU intended to install later. Therefore, he didn’t know what would be required. In my view, this is not the GC’s fault but (unfortunately) yours.

Try to find a solution yourselves. The GC is no longer responsible. In my opinion, this is an expensive lesson learned. Maybe there is still a simpler solution.

Sorry...

Tessa12 schrieb:

Good morning,

I would like to ask for some advice. We had a prefabricated house built through a general contractor. We also had a balcony installed, but at the time of selection, we decided to handle the balcony railing ourselves.
Unfortunately, the builder did not inform us that a mounting fixture would be necessary for the railing.
Now I am looking for companies to install the railing, but everyone declines because it would require cutting into the façade and insulation to screw the railing onto the wooden beam, and no one wants to take responsibility for the warranty. How can we address this issue with the builder? Can the missing mounting fixture be considered a construction defect?

Thank you very much for your opinions!
Tessa

First of all: General contractor or developer?
I don’t see a defect here initially, unless you specifically requested: “Please install a mounting fixture!”

Question: what was agreed upon?
Balcony as self-performed work usually means the entire balcony, unless it was specifically agreed that the railing is self-performed at existing fastening points...

Many people encounter this problem by the time they get to the awning, for example. We anticipated it and specifically ordered the mounting hardware. What surprises me is that no one is taking it on—do you have any special requirements?

I see that the construction company is not obligated in any way. However, if the balcony is already there, I don’t see why it would be a problem to access through the facade. Can’t the railing be attached directly to the balcony?