ᐅ Developer Additional Costs for Wallpaper and Hardwood Flooring...
Created on: 17 Apr 2014 22:42
D
Dobbylein
Hello everyone,
we are currently building a semi-detached house with a developer. The living area is 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft). We plan to install 3mm (1/8 inch) oak engineered wood flooring and use textured wallpaper. Now we have inquired about the additional cost for 6mm (1/4 inch) flooring and finer textured wallpaper. The developer wants 5,000 euros each for these upgrades.
This seems completely excessive to us.
Any expert opinions?
we are currently building a semi-detached house with a developer. The living area is 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft). We plan to install 3mm (1/8 inch) oak engineered wood flooring and use textured wallpaper. Now we have inquired about the additional cost for 6mm (1/4 inch) flooring and finer textured wallpaper. The developer wants 5,000 euros each for these upgrades.
This seems completely excessive to us.
Any expert opinions?
B
Bauexperte18 Apr 2014 10:31Good morning,
To answer you properly, I need to know the structure of the contract for work; that’s why I am asking so many questions.
Your answer still isn’t really satisfactory; but probably it can’t be better. I assume you want to upgrade the living area and bedrooms with “better” parquet flooring. If part of these costs is already covered in the sales price, the price seems justified to me. For us, this would amount to roughly 12,000 euros (around 13,000 USD) for the entire house (150 m² (1,615 ft²))—with the choice of tiles up to 30 x 60 cm (12 x 24 inches) or plank flooring; however, through the building contract, we also do not offer flooring as a standard feature.
What I cannot understand, however, is the surcharge for textured wallpaper; the difference in purchase price is not that significant, and the work remains the same. Here, I would probably intervene and keep the standard. I don’t find coarse textured wallpaper a problem; it will still be painted, and with appropriate paint, attractive effects can be created.
Best regards, Bauexperte
Dobbylein schrieb:
thank you for your effort. But I have already written several times that these tasks are included in the fixed price. The question is only whether these special requests (deviations from the standard) justify such a surcharge...
To answer you properly, I need to know the structure of the contract for work; that’s why I am asking so many questions.
Your answer still isn’t really satisfactory; but probably it can’t be better. I assume you want to upgrade the living area and bedrooms with “better” parquet flooring. If part of these costs is already covered in the sales price, the price seems justified to me. For us, this would amount to roughly 12,000 euros (around 13,000 USD) for the entire house (150 m² (1,615 ft²))—with the choice of tiles up to 30 x 60 cm (12 x 24 inches) or plank flooring; however, through the building contract, we also do not offer flooring as a standard feature.
What I cannot understand, however, is the surcharge for textured wallpaper; the difference in purchase price is not that significant, and the work remains the same. Here, I would probably intervene and keep the standard. I don’t find coarse textured wallpaper a problem; it will still be painted, and with appropriate paint, attractive effects can be created.
Best regards, Bauexperte
It is not uncommon for a developer to include floor coverings (living and sleeping areas) as well as wall coverings in the fixed price. I know that some prefabricated house manufacturers also include these trades in the fixed price because, for example, walls covered with wallpaper can hide certain issues like settlement cracks before buyers notice them. At least that’s how it was explained to me, and I can understand it after seeing a screed in a shell construction that had many cracks.
Now, regarding your question: of course, 5,000 each sounds excessive. Perhaps the screed needs to be adjusted for the parquet flooring (what kind of parquet is only 3 mm thick?) if its thickness varies? I have no idea. But that could explain the high additional cost. I don’t understand the price for the textured wallpaper either; even if the developer or their subcontractor has 1,000 rolls of coarse textured wallpaper in stock and would need to order a different kind, the price is still not justified because the workmanship remains the same.
Still... But... If the developer wants these sums, only a negotiation can help you get a clearer price breakdown. You are at a disadvantage: apparently, you signed the contract including all services, and any changes will be charged by the developer—whether the prices are excessive or unjustified. You bought exactly the house as described in the contract—negotiations on individual trades should have been settled before signing, in order to have a good basis for negotiation. Everything else will, unfortunately, have to be accepted.
Now, regarding your question: of course, 5,000 each sounds excessive. Perhaps the screed needs to be adjusted for the parquet flooring (what kind of parquet is only 3 mm thick?) if its thickness varies? I have no idea. But that could explain the high additional cost. I don’t understand the price for the textured wallpaper either; even if the developer or their subcontractor has 1,000 rolls of coarse textured wallpaper in stock and would need to order a different kind, the price is still not justified because the workmanship remains the same.
Still... But... If the developer wants these sums, only a negotiation can help you get a clearer price breakdown. You are at a disadvantage: apparently, you signed the contract including all services, and any changes will be charged by the developer—whether the prices are excessive or unjustified. You bought exactly the house as described in the contract—negotiations on individual trades should have been settled before signing, in order to have a good basis for negotiation. Everything else will, unfortunately, have to be accepted.
Similar topics