ᐅ Expert assessment of defects, inspection of window installation
Created on: 14 Jun 2014 15:04
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f-pNo
Hello everyone,
I just came from the construction site.
There I noticed that the window sills on the upper floor were built too high. The entire walls of the upper floor are already completed – the ring beam (reinforced concrete bonding beam) is scheduled to be placed on top early next week.
I measured a sill height of 127 cm (50 inches) from the top edge of the rough window frame. According to our agreement and the execution plans, it should be 113.5 cm (45 inches). This issue affects three windows in total.
I would prefer to leave the identification of this defect to the building inspector, who is due to visit in about two weeks – so basically an official defect report.
On the other hand, I know that the general contractor ordered the windows three weeks ago. Therefore, the unpleasant surprise may occur at the time the windows are installed, which could lead to even bigger consequences – more extensive repairs and delays in completion and moving in.
What can be done now?
I seriously doubt that the general contractor will instruct the masonry contractor to completely tear down and rebuild the walls.
It might still be possible to change the window order, but then we would have to accept the defect as is.
I just came from the construction site.
There I noticed that the window sills on the upper floor were built too high. The entire walls of the upper floor are already completed – the ring beam (reinforced concrete bonding beam) is scheduled to be placed on top early next week.
I measured a sill height of 127 cm (50 inches) from the top edge of the rough window frame. According to our agreement and the execution plans, it should be 113.5 cm (45 inches). This issue affects three windows in total.
I would prefer to leave the identification of this defect to the building inspector, who is due to visit in about two weeks – so basically an official defect report.
On the other hand, I know that the general contractor ordered the windows three weeks ago. Therefore, the unpleasant surprise may occur at the time the windows are installed, which could lead to even bigger consequences – more extensive repairs and delays in completion and moving in.
What can be done now?
I seriously doubt that the general contractor will instruct the masonry contractor to completely tear down and rebuild the walls.
It might still be possible to change the window order, but then we would have to accept the defect as is.
D
DerBjoern17 Jun 2014 08:28I would always report any mistakes as soon as I notice them, preferably right on site. This makes it much easier to fix them. In addition, most tradespeople do not react negatively when you inform them of errors directly, without involving their supervisor.
B
Bauexperte17 Jun 2014 11:25Hello,
You MUST learn to stay calmer! Not every craftsman around the corner is out to cause trouble and needs expert guidance; usually, talking helps. Your house will hardly be built without any defects, it just has to be handed over without defects.
You have hired an expert, I assume at times when an inspection makes sense. For your own peace of mind, you should extend their appointment to include the possibility of telephone consultations. I am quite sure they can relieve you of many unnecessary worries; that should be worth some additional cost to you.
Best regards, Bauexperte
f-pNo schrieb:
Brief final report.
After I informed our site manager about the defect by email yesterday evening, I received feedback today that the issue will be fixed by the structural contractor. I will check this tomorrow and, if necessary, have it explained how this will be done.
That’s how I like it. Clear statements.
You MUST learn to stay calmer! Not every craftsman around the corner is out to cause trouble and needs expert guidance; usually, talking helps. Your house will hardly be built without any defects, it just has to be handed over without defects.
You have hired an expert, I assume at times when an inspection makes sense. For your own peace of mind, you should extend their appointment to include the possibility of telephone consultations. I am quite sure they can relieve you of many unnecessary worries; that should be worth some additional cost to you.
Best regards, Bauexperte
Bauexperte schrieb:
You MUST learn to stay calm! You’re probably right. On the other hand, today the foreman from the shell construction team said, "It’s good this was noticed early so something can still be done."
Bauexperte schrieb:
Not every tradesperson around the corner is a troublemaker who needs expert guidance; usually, talking helps. Your house will hardly be built without any defects; it just needs to be handed over without any defects. Here, I think you may be underestimating me a bit. I have great respect for the tradespeople who have skills I don’t fully understand and who work under weather conditions where I would rather stay inside.
Generally, I also believe that mistakes can happen. It doesn’t really matter who is responsible. What’s important is that any defects that occur are resolved quickly and satisfactorily – as has happened here.
This post was based on my assumption that fixing the defect would be much more difficult.
Also, it was the first defect (real test) that appeared after we signed the contract with the general contractor. It was possible that the goodwill and flexibility shown so far would significantly decrease after signing. In such a case, a note from the construction supervision would have a stronger effect.
However, in this case, we were shown that the general contractor and apparently also their subcontractors respond flexibly and promptly. That’s how it should be and it confirmed our choice of general contractor.
B
Bauexperte18 Jun 2014 11:00Hello f-pNo,
If you don’t convince yourself to build trust—especially since you chose a reputable building company—you risk becoming a nervous wreck if you continue as before; that is not worth the construction project! Part of this also means that when apparent deviations arise (defects are only after handover), the first step is to talk to your site manager. If you feel you can’t fully trust them, consult your expert assessor.
In one of our projects, a window opening was completely forgotten. That can happen, since many people are involved in building a single-family house. The question is—as you correctly wrote—how it is dealt with. Your approach reads really well.
Best regards, Bauexperte
f-pNo schrieb:Of course, if the windows had been ordered with the wrong measurements, the shell contractor would have had to cover the costs.
On the other hand, today the foreman from the shell construction said: "Good that it was noticed so early, something can still be done."
f-pNo schrieb:That was the basis of my reply, as well as the fact that you first asked in the forum instead of contacting your general contractor, site manager, or expert assessor. It’s always difficult for me to gauge emotions through a forum, but I sensed your fear that errors might have occurred that can no longer be corrected. This is generally not possible during the shell construction phase, unless, for example, the shell was built too small from the start or the vapor barrier above the first course of blocks was forgotten, etc.; that would be a real tough test.
This post was based on my assumption that resolving the defect would be much more difficult.
If you don’t convince yourself to build trust—especially since you chose a reputable building company—you risk becoming a nervous wreck if you continue as before; that is not worth the construction project! Part of this also means that when apparent deviations arise (defects are only after handover), the first step is to talk to your site manager. If you feel you can’t fully trust them, consult your expert assessor.
In one of our projects, a window opening was completely forgotten. That can happen, since many people are involved in building a single-family house. The question is—as you correctly wrote—how it is dealt with. Your approach reads really well.
Best regards, Bauexperte
@Bauexperte
You are right, the fear of (uncorrectable mistakes) is always there. That’s why I try to prevent errors through "pre-inspections" and careful (non-professional) observation on the construction site. Maybe that makes me a difficult client, but it’s better to have it than to regret it later.
Also, you occasionally hear that after signing, some general contractors (GCs) change their attitude and become resistant to error reports.
We have now seen that the GC has maintained his usual approach here, and we are hopefully facing the errors, which should occur only rarely, much more calmly.
You are right, the fear of (uncorrectable mistakes) is always there. That’s why I try to prevent errors through "pre-inspections" and careful (non-professional) observation on the construction site. Maybe that makes me a difficult client, but it’s better to have it than to regret it later.
Also, you occasionally hear that after signing, some general contractors (GCs) change their attitude and become resistant to error reports.
We have now seen that the GC has maintained his usual approach here, and we are hopefully facing the errors, which should occur only rarely, much more calmly.
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