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!
C
Corini198527 Oct 2019 18:35The door should have standard dimensions. But there is only about 1 cm (0.4 inches) of space above the door.
A regular wardrobe often doesn't fit, certain fitness equipment doesn't either...
Frustrating.
One room was supposed to become a hobby room/guest room... we don't even heat the other one...
A regular wardrobe often doesn't fit, certain fitness equipment doesn't either...
Frustrating.
One room was supposed to become a hobby room/guest room... we don't even heat the other one...
Corini1985 schrieb:
The door should have standard dimensions. But there is only about 1 cm (0.4 inches) of space above the door.
A regular wardrobe often doesn’t fit, certain fitness equipment doesn’t either...
Annoying.
One room was supposed to become a hobby room/guest room... we don’t even heat the other one... Are those utility rooms or living spaces?
M
Mottenhausen28 Oct 2019 14:28Corini1985 schrieb:
for us non-experts, better information and planning should be provided This argument might work for many construction-related issues, but when it comes to ceiling height? I don’t think any judge in the world would accept the excuse that a layperson couldn’t have known that. In fact, it’s one of the few things that even a non-professional should know. Otherwise, the next person would say: I wanted my house painted green, but as a layperson, I couldn’t have known it would turn out that green.
So that’s a dead end.
Claiming a price reduction afterward won’t work either, because as the client or project owner, you have the obligation to report any defect immediately upon discovery. Since the ceiling height hasn’t changed over the last six months, it’s hard to argue why it’s being raised now and not earlier. The construction company will respond with: if you didn’t have any knowledge yourself, you should have hired an expert to supervise ceiling heights during construction.
Fitness room, utility room, freezer room, basement room...
You already said it yourself: it’s self-inflicted, because it wasn’t considered and approved.
The plaster wasn’t taken into account, which adds another 1-2 cm (about 0.5–1 inch)...
Minor deviation, let’s call it a tolerance of 0.5–1%...
All legitimate.
It’s always easy to try to blame others. But if there is any fault, look in the mirror. By the way, life is too short to dwell on it. Cabinets are also available in smaller sizes... but if you want to be upset, go ahead.
We planned a strip window in the bathroom. Never paid attention to how high the window sill is. Now we have a 60 cm (24 inch) tall window with an 85 cm (33 inch) sill. Well, a stylish bathroom nonetheless... Your basement will certainly be very cozy.
You already said it yourself: it’s self-inflicted, because it wasn’t considered and approved.
The plaster wasn’t taken into account, which adds another 1-2 cm (about 0.5–1 inch)...
Minor deviation, let’s call it a tolerance of 0.5–1%...
All legitimate.
It’s always easy to try to blame others. But if there is any fault, look in the mirror. By the way, life is too short to dwell on it. Cabinets are also available in smaller sizes... but if you want to be upset, go ahead.
We planned a strip window in the bathroom. Never paid attention to how high the window sill is. Now we have a 60 cm (24 inch) tall window with an 85 cm (33 inch) sill. Well, a stylish bathroom nonetheless... Your basement will certainly be very cozy.
The question of liability is clear. You will lose in court.
However, this is once again a poor reflection on the building warranty insurance. Really quite unfortunate.
You pay tens of thousands of euros and don't even get a proper warning about such a no-go. Basement ceiling height 2 meters (6.5 feet)... Seriously. What is the point of this nonsense?!
I usually try to stay quiet about things like this. But the enormous number of "service failures" by the specialist companies just drives me crazy.
However, this is once again a poor reflection on the building warranty insurance. Really quite unfortunate.
You pay tens of thousands of euros and don't even get a proper warning about such a no-go. Basement ceiling height 2 meters (6.5 feet)... Seriously. What is the point of this nonsense?!
I usually try to stay quiet about things like this. But the enormous number of "service failures" by the specialist companies just drives me crazy.
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