ᐅ Damage to hardwood flooring / financial compensation for damages
Created on: 15 Mar 2015 20:51
B
binsoweit
Hello,
we have the following problem. We purchased a newly built apartment. During the installation of the oak parquet flooring, the drying times apparently were not observed. The floor is completely glued down and then varnished. After some time, filler material started to push up like swellings in more and more areas. These are noticeable throughout the apartment and sometimes appear as narrow, sausage-like bulges along the joints.
The floor installer casually said that the floor would just need to be sanded down again and resealed. We have approximately 64 sqm (690 sqft) of parquet installed in the apartment. Three rooms are connected continuously with this parquet. For us, this would mean moving out, storing the furniture, and being accommodated in a hotel for about three days.
According to the builder, we are obliged to cooperate, meaning to empty and pack the furniture ourselves.
The whole situation is overwhelming for us, and we would prefer to receive a compensation payment instead, in other words a price reduction. However, according to the builder, this would be limited to the net price of sanding and resealing, about €14 (about $15) per sqm (about 0.1 sqft). This price does not correspond to the actual damage for us. Additionally, we would have to waive all warranty claims and assume the risk of having to fix it ourselves later on. In that case, the proposed payment would certainly not be sufficient.
Therefore, our question is: Is the builder correct? Or should the compensation be higher?
Thank you very much for any help!
we have the following problem. We purchased a newly built apartment. During the installation of the oak parquet flooring, the drying times apparently were not observed. The floor is completely glued down and then varnished. After some time, filler material started to push up like swellings in more and more areas. These are noticeable throughout the apartment and sometimes appear as narrow, sausage-like bulges along the joints.
The floor installer casually said that the floor would just need to be sanded down again and resealed. We have approximately 64 sqm (690 sqft) of parquet installed in the apartment. Three rooms are connected continuously with this parquet. For us, this would mean moving out, storing the furniture, and being accommodated in a hotel for about three days.
According to the builder, we are obliged to cooperate, meaning to empty and pack the furniture ourselves.
The whole situation is overwhelming for us, and we would prefer to receive a compensation payment instead, in other words a price reduction. However, according to the builder, this would be limited to the net price of sanding and resealing, about €14 (about $15) per sqm (about 0.1 sqft). This price does not correspond to the actual damage for us. Additionally, we would have to waive all warranty claims and assume the risk of having to fix it ourselves later on. In that case, the proposed payment would certainly not be sufficient.
Therefore, our question is: Is the builder correct? Or should the compensation be higher?
Thank you very much for any help!
B
Bauexperte16 Mar 2015 19:30binsoweit schrieb:
There is no specific clause. The parquet flooring is only listed as part of the scope of work in the construction description. I didn’t mean the section where the fittings are described, but the original construction contract. I am almost certain you will find something appropriate there.
binsoweit schrieb:
It is not about packing yourself. It is about having to almost completely move out and back in again. I’m not aware of any improvement to furniture or anything like that. On the contrary. When moving in, the moving company damaged a lot, for which you (if at all) only get the current value. Not to mention the worn edges and scratched items. Understood.
Still, as frustrating as it may be for you, this does not change the fact that you have to make a decision between: one-time compensation versus a 5-year warranty including the owed service.
Regards, Bauexperte