ᐅ Construction defects – Condominium – Is a price reduction possible? How much?

Created on: 21 Aug 2014 16:48
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baubert333
The situation is as follows:

* Purchase and construction of a new 4-room approximately 90 sqm (970 sq ft) condominium from a developer
* Construction went quite well, and communication with the developer was good
* For example, completion was delayed by 8 weeks; the developer communicated this 6 months in advance and was willing without any issues to accept a price reduction equivalent to 2 months’ rent, etc.
* All local tradesmen were used, some of whom I had already hired for my own house
* The developer is a well-known local company, actively involved in clubs (also personally), with a good reputation, considered a “Mercedes” brand, so somewhat more expensive, which I was aware of and willing to pay for

At handover, the following defects were noted:

1) Some sockets in the hallway and storage room are not on the circuit breaker for the hallway/storage room but instead on the living room’s circuit breaker. I have checked the situation and I am 100% sure that this cannot be fixed without major work. Breaking up the floor or walls to fix this is out of the question for me. The electrician’s assessment is still pending (he is currently on vacation), but I am confident it cannot be resolved.

2) The building specification states “underfloor heating with a thermostat in every room” (I don't remember the exact wording). Now we have discovered that the guest WC does not have a separate underfloor heating system but shares it with the hallway.

Both points are included in the handover report, and the site manager who carried out the handover did not object strongly. We agreed that I would discuss the next steps with his supervisor.

Neither issue is a major problem, but I do not want to accept everything without question. Plus, what is stated in the building specification should be delivered.

I am not keen on insisting on correction of these defects, as both would require major work. Also, the tenant might move in later or reduce rent, adding more stress. I assume the developer sees it similarly, as they want their final payment and then to be done.

Can I expect that these two points will lead to a reduction in the purchase price?
How much could such a reduction reasonably be?

Or is it absolutely necessary to involve an independent expert? I am reluctant to do that as it means additional time, effort, cost, and surely stress with the developer. So far, the developer has been cooperative. Therefore, I assume they will agree to a price reduction.

What do the experts say?
lastdrop22 Aug 2014 07:49
HilfeHilfe schrieb:
I don’t understand this thread. You’re building with a "Mercedes." Construction is TOP, communication TOP, Mercedes even pays 2 months’ cold rent. And now people are spinning conspiracy theories about how to get 600 €..

I don’t see that as an argument. Rather the opposite applies.
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Bauexperte
22 Aug 2014 09:30
Hello,
baubert333 schrieb:

the following defects upon acceptance:
ROFL

Best regards, Bauexperte
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DNL
23 Aug 2014 08:25
Point one I don’t understand. Are the sockets on the wrong circuit breaker, or what?

Point two seems quite relevant. It could also be related to heating costs.

But I would just wait to see what they say about it. After their quote, you can still decide how to handle it.
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nordanney
23 Aug 2014 11:02
DNL schrieb:


Point two seems relevant to me. It could also be related to heating costs.

??? For a 3sqm (32 sq ft) guest bathroom with the same temperature control as the hallway? What benefit does a thermostat in the bathroom provide?
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DNL
23 Aug 2014 13:19
Well, if I don’t consider it necessary to heat the guest toilet and can save 2% on heating costs this way, then that is not insignificant, provided that this was what I ordered.

The unions go on strike for weeks over a few percentage points.

I can understand that this might be important to some people.
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nordanney
23 Aug 2014 14:00
The guest toilet will be heated regardless, so you can't avoid that. Therefore, you won’t save any heating costs – so the thermostat is unnecessary.