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!
bauenmk20203 Nov 2019 13:08ypg schrieb:
Yes, the roof pitch is above the limit for us too.
We honestly didn’t pay attention to it. Doesn’t matter now: the window has blinds and is closed on the street side when we’re there. It’s the same for us. The general contractor (GC) had even planned it lower. I then raised it as high as possible.
Fuchur schrieb:
Raising the roof is the alternative. But the GC wants to save costs and keep the planning mistake from us, so they chose that option. When we finally noticed, they presented us with an extra charge of €4800 for raising the wall by 20cm (8 inches). We noticed and mentioned it during planning. After that, we set the windows as high as possible. Our knee wall height is 186.5cm (6 ft 1½ in). Roof pitch 26° (26°). Roller shutters are not possible. We never thought of raising the roof higher—and the GC didn’t suggest it either! On the ground floor, we adjusted the height; we were actually happy with the height in the attic and then didn’t think about it anymore.
We just accepted that the window sill height is a bit lower…
If I win the lottery, I’ll raise the roof by 1.5m (5 ft), otherwise it stays as it is (you’ll only really notice once it’s built).
tomtom79 schrieb:
The alternative would have been none at this spot? Then I’d rather take this compromise and maybe even use a sheet as privacy screening.No, it could have been moved. Then it would be at the corner, mirrored at the same height as this one. That would have actually looked very good.
But what I really want to say here is different. Also, this isn’t about our window, but the basement height of the OP @Corini1985:
I have removed the word *would have* from my vocabulary! Why and how is life different without it? Much better, because I don’t compare the current situation with something that doesn’t exist (or wasn’t even intended back then).
Why should I stress myself out thinking, “I should have bought those X stocks,” “I wish I had been faster back then,” “I should have studied at that time,” or “If only I had paid attention, then…”
I have a wonderful house, and I am happy to live here. Sure, I get annoyed sometimes, at the beginning or from time to time. But it doesn’t change my life if the window were different now. These are things that I or we messed up. But why should I nag myself about it? Be unhappy because I ‘failed’ at that point?
No! I won’t do that. I have achieved a lot and good things and I am still going strong!
And just as the window is as it is now, the basement is as it is here. Live with it! And live well with it! Make your fitness oasis: everything also works at 2 meters (6 ft 6 in) height. The wardrobe doesn’t fit. Or does it? Never mind, then take the bookcase.
You have the choice here and now: to keep being upset forever or to bury the topic.
bauenmk2020 schrieb:
If I win the lottery, I’ll raise the roof by 1.5 meters (5 feet) — otherwise, it stays as it is (which will only become clear once it’s built)... If I win the lottery, we’ll rent an apartment in Spain, Italy, or Rhodes—as a second home… the window stays where it is :P
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