Hello everyone,
I would like to ask for some advice or an assessment here:
We moved into our house this summer.
Right after the screed was poured in the basement, we noticed how low the basement’s ceiling height is.
Only then did we realize that, according to the building plans and contract we signed, the basement height was specified as 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) from the finished floor tile to the ceiling. We were quite disappointed by this. The basement was equipped with underfloor heating, windows, etc., so such a low height was unexpected. It’s our fault for overlooking this clearly. However, I still believe there should have been better clarification and planning for us as laypeople, especially since we had clearly communicated how we originally intended to use the basement.
If I understand correctly, this cannot be reported as a defect since we signed off on everything.
Now that we are living in the house, it turns out the walls don’t even reach the 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) height. All rooms in the basement measure only 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) or 2.07 m (6 ft 9.5 in) in height. None actually reach 2.09 m.
The difference of 2 or 3 cm (about 1 inch) may seem small, but with such a low ceiling, every centimeter counts.
So my question is: we are living here, and the final inspection (handover) has already taken place.
Is this considered a defect, or is there a tolerance for this? Can it still be claimed as a defect after the fact, and what could I realistically expect to achieve? From a technical standpoint, it seems nothing can be corrected anymore...
We are located in Rhineland-Palatinate, if that is relevant...
Thank you and good luck!
I would like to ask for some advice or an assessment here:
We moved into our house this summer.
Right after the screed was poured in the basement, we noticed how low the basement’s ceiling height is.
Only then did we realize that, according to the building plans and contract we signed, the basement height was specified as 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) from the finished floor tile to the ceiling. We were quite disappointed by this. The basement was equipped with underfloor heating, windows, etc., so such a low height was unexpected. It’s our fault for overlooking this clearly. However, I still believe there should have been better clarification and planning for us as laypeople, especially since we had clearly communicated how we originally intended to use the basement.
If I understand correctly, this cannot be reported as a defect since we signed off on everything.
Now that we are living in the house, it turns out the walls don’t even reach the 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) height. All rooms in the basement measure only 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) or 2.07 m (6 ft 9.5 in) in height. None actually reach 2.09 m.
The difference of 2 or 3 cm (about 1 inch) may seem small, but with such a low ceiling, every centimeter counts.
So my question is: we are living here, and the final inspection (handover) has already taken place.
Is this considered a defect, or is there a tolerance for this? Can it still be claimed as a defect after the fact, and what could I realistically expect to achieve? From a technical standpoint, it seems nothing can be corrected anymore...
We are located in Rhineland-Palatinate, if that is relevant...
Thank you and good luck!
Corini1985 schrieb:
The basement was equipped with underfloor heating, windows, etc., and then this low ceiling height? To me, this height sounds like a typical utility basement, whose height was reduced due to the installation of underfloor heating. In other words, it seems you ordered underfloor heating, but not an increase in the floor-to-ceiling height to compensate for its construction height. I wouldn’t be surprised if the rooms are not designated as living spaces in the plans either, because otherwise both a minimum ceiling height would have to be met and emergency escape routes provided. So, why are you heating the basement—are you trying to keep the potatoes nice and cozy?
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bauenmk202026 Oct 2019 09:13I can understand that – we didn’t do much research regarding the ceiling heights either. It was only by chance that I brought it up during the planning phase, and then I was able to increase the height on the ground floor. But the other party never mentioned it.
We have a similar situation in the attic: We purchased a "favored house" with a discount, on the condition that after signing the contract, no changes could be made to the structurally relevant parts.
So now I’m frustrated that we have a very low attic where you can basically only move by crawling.
These are the kinds of experiences you go through, and there’s a reason for the saying: “You build your first house for your enemy...”
One question: What door dimensions do you have down there?
We have a similar situation in the attic: We purchased a "favored house" with a discount, on the condition that after signing the contract, no changes could be made to the structurally relevant parts.
So now I’m frustrated that we have a very low attic where you can basically only move by crawling.
These are the kinds of experiences you go through, and there’s a reason for the saying: “You build your first house for your enemy...”
One question: What door dimensions do you have down there?
F
Fummelbrett!26 Oct 2019 09:27It’s frustrating, I understand that. But I don’t think there’s much you can do except have the underfloor heating removed. However, that’s probably not a viable option.
Even if you could claim a defect, what would you realistically expect? Any possible compensation won’t make the ceiling any higher.
So try to accept it. Everything will be better with the next house.
What rooms were planned for the lower floor?
Even if you could claim a defect, what would you realistically expect? Any possible compensation won’t make the ceiling any higher.
So try to accept it. Everything will be better with the next house.
What rooms were planned for the lower floor?
Well, the general contractor / builder / architect is definitely an absolute idiot if someone orders underfloor heating and windows for the basement from them, but they fail to point out that the ceiling height will no longer be suitable for the obviously intended use.
Of course, the homeowner also has to be aware of this, but it’s like a car accident—there always have to be two parties messing up for something serious to happen.
Of course, the homeowner also has to be aware of this, but it’s like a car accident—there always have to be two parties messing up for something serious to happen.
apokolok schrieb:
Well, the general contractor / building contractor / architect is definitely a complete idiot if someone orders underfloor heating and windows for the basement from them, but they don’t point out that the ceiling height will no longer meet the intended use. The typical case is probably more like this: 1. The general contractor specifies the ceiling height for the utility basement in the scope of work; 2. The general contractor tells the client that if official living spaces are made, emergency exits are required; 3. The client tells the general contractor that then the hobby room has to be included in the floor plan, but underfloor heating will be ordered separately; 4. The general contractor delivers the utility basement with underfloor heating, while the client does not order a floor height increase, and the construction height of the underfloor heating is logically just subtracted from the clear height; 5. Assuming I were with the fire department – then I’d say the moral of the story didn’t hit the wrong person.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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