Since I received great support [here] earlier, I would like to describe what I hope will be the last major point of dispute and ask for your assistance:
Contractual move-in date: June 1, 2016
Completion of outdoor landscaping according to contract: June 15, 2016
When we had the handover on June 1, I asked whether the outdoor landscaping would be finished on time. The response was that it probably wouldn’t be achievable. The next day, I inquired again if there was an update on whether the landscaping could be done by June 19, as we planned to have a birthday celebration then. The site manager’s trivial comment was: “Maybe there will already be a layer of gravel.”
As expected, it did not happen. To this day, the entire outdoor landscaping is not completed — the curbs have been installed, but only a few days ago.
A small side note: On June 14, I happened to get in touch with someone who had ordered the same terrace slabs we had chosen. He strongly advised against them, saying he had only problems with those slabs. We then decided on different ones and informed the construction company. At that point, we did not even have a written offer for the terrace extension or the cost of the new slabs. On June 28 (!!), the site manager asked me again which slabs exactly we wanted so they could be ordered.
On Wednesday, July 6, the site manager was at our place again to discuss another defect. When I asked why the adjacent semi-detached house, which is unoccupied, already had its terrace paved but the pathway to our house was still bare, he snapped: “You changed your terrace slabs!” When I pointed out that at least the pathway could be done, he said nothing more. The neighbor’s terrace uses the same paving slabs as our pathways.
After I insisted with the workers, at least the entrance was paved since there was almost a half-meter (about 1.5 feet) height difference there. By the way, today the driveway to the garage was paved.
Yesterday, Thursday, we had an appointment with the construction company. They explained that the company and their representatives had set July 1, 2016, as the move-in date, and therefore July 15, 2016, for the outdoor landscaping.
We politely pointed out that this is not our problem, since our notarized contract states June 15. The contract also specifies that if payment is late, we would owe 5% interest on the amount due, but unfortunately, nothing is regulated in the opposite case.
Their reaction was just that things like this do happen and that they are on the safe side, etc.
We did receive an offer for the terrace yesterday.
The company owner wants to review the case calmly and get back to us. However, his son already hinted that he knows how his father will decide in this matter.
Now the interesting question: What would be considered a justified compensation? I have tentatively scheduled an appointment with a lawyer (next Friday), who of course expects payment upfront. I am trying to avoid that for now, but if they keep being inflexible, I will have to bite the bullet.
I would like to exclude the terrace from this, as it wouldn’t have been finished on time either with the other slabs anyway, since they hadn’t even been ordered.
Thank you very much and have a nice weekend.
Contractual move-in date: June 1, 2016
Completion of outdoor landscaping according to contract: June 15, 2016
When we had the handover on June 1, I asked whether the outdoor landscaping would be finished on time. The response was that it probably wouldn’t be achievable. The next day, I inquired again if there was an update on whether the landscaping could be done by June 19, as we planned to have a birthday celebration then. The site manager’s trivial comment was: “Maybe there will already be a layer of gravel.”
As expected, it did not happen. To this day, the entire outdoor landscaping is not completed — the curbs have been installed, but only a few days ago.
A small side note: On June 14, I happened to get in touch with someone who had ordered the same terrace slabs we had chosen. He strongly advised against them, saying he had only problems with those slabs. We then decided on different ones and informed the construction company. At that point, we did not even have a written offer for the terrace extension or the cost of the new slabs. On June 28 (!!), the site manager asked me again which slabs exactly we wanted so they could be ordered.
On Wednesday, July 6, the site manager was at our place again to discuss another defect. When I asked why the adjacent semi-detached house, which is unoccupied, already had its terrace paved but the pathway to our house was still bare, he snapped: “You changed your terrace slabs!” When I pointed out that at least the pathway could be done, he said nothing more. The neighbor’s terrace uses the same paving slabs as our pathways.
After I insisted with the workers, at least the entrance was paved since there was almost a half-meter (about 1.5 feet) height difference there. By the way, today the driveway to the garage was paved.
Yesterday, Thursday, we had an appointment with the construction company. They explained that the company and their representatives had set July 1, 2016, as the move-in date, and therefore July 15, 2016, for the outdoor landscaping.
We politely pointed out that this is not our problem, since our notarized contract states June 15. The contract also specifies that if payment is late, we would owe 5% interest on the amount due, but unfortunately, nothing is regulated in the opposite case.
Their reaction was just that things like this do happen and that they are on the safe side, etc.
We did receive an offer for the terrace yesterday.
The company owner wants to review the case calmly and get back to us. However, his son already hinted that he knows how his father will decide in this matter.
Now the interesting question: What would be considered a justified compensation? I have tentatively scheduled an appointment with a lawyer (next Friday), who of course expects payment upfront. I am trying to avoid that for now, but if they keep being inflexible, I will have to bite the bullet.
I would like to exclude the terrace from this, as it wouldn’t have been finished on time either with the other slabs anyway, since they hadn’t even been ordered.
Thank you very much and have a nice weekend.
H
HilfeHilfe15 Jul 2016 07:06Sorry, I really love my East Germans, honestly. But sometimes they can be really stubborn. Changing the subject—an 89-year-old family member was sent directly from the general practitioner to the hospital. He left a note saying: “I’m at hospital XYZ.” His daughter, who is registered with the GP, couldn’t get any information from either the doctor’s assistant or the hospital about what’s going on or why he was admitted, and she immediately drove 100 km (62 miles) straight from work.
What my father-in-law said yesterday was: “It’s still like it used to be with us. Back then, even at birth, they didn’t reveal the baby’s sex for the first few hours. Everything was influenced by the Stasi, and there were jealous people everywhere.”
I found that quite relatable!
Anyway, I’m glad you found a solution.
What my father-in-law said yesterday was: “It’s still like it used to be with us. Back then, even at birth, they didn’t reveal the baby’s sex for the first few hours. Everything was influenced by the Stasi, and there were jealous people everywhere.”
I found that quite relatable!
Anyway, I’m glad you found a solution.
Hello,
I’m bringing this thread back up:
The terrace was completed by the home builder on July 14, 2016. We then pointed out several defects:
- Incorrect laying pattern – the staggered bond was not followed
- Slabs have sunk
- Slabs not installed under the patio door
- Height difference between terrace slab and patio door of about 2cm (0.8 inches)
- No smooth cutout around the downpipe (cut was square)
After long discussions and several postponed appointments, the terrace was relaid about 4 weeks ago. The slabs were lifted, the base filled and compacted.
Before the relaying, we repeatedly pointed out the defects mentioned. According to the site manager, in coordination with the landscaping company, all defects should have been fixed.
The following defects were resolved:
- Staggered bond was installed
- Slabs are level – although in my opinion, 3 slabs are still slightly sinking
All other defects were not addressed; the slab that needs cutting has been left next to the downpipe since then.
I am considering consulting a lawyer but have the following question first:
According to the site manager, there is no “construction guideline” that the terrace slabs must be flush with the patio door, meaning the slab does not have to be installed directly under the door.
He also claimed that the slabs cannot be installed under the door. However, at our neighbor’s, who only has stones laid, the stones are installed up to and even flush with the patio door, preventing any dirt from getting underneath.
Thank you very much for your help.
I’m bringing this thread back up:
The terrace was completed by the home builder on July 14, 2016. We then pointed out several defects:
- Incorrect laying pattern – the staggered bond was not followed
- Slabs have sunk
- Slabs not installed under the patio door
- Height difference between terrace slab and patio door of about 2cm (0.8 inches)
- No smooth cutout around the downpipe (cut was square)
After long discussions and several postponed appointments, the terrace was relaid about 4 weeks ago. The slabs were lifted, the base filled and compacted.
Before the relaying, we repeatedly pointed out the defects mentioned. According to the site manager, in coordination with the landscaping company, all defects should have been fixed.
The following defects were resolved:
- Staggered bond was installed
- Slabs are level – although in my opinion, 3 slabs are still slightly sinking
All other defects were not addressed; the slab that needs cutting has been left next to the downpipe since then.
I am considering consulting a lawyer but have the following question first:
According to the site manager, there is no “construction guideline” that the terrace slabs must be flush with the patio door, meaning the slab does not have to be installed directly under the door.
He also claimed that the slabs cannot be installed under the door. However, at our neighbor’s, who only has stones laid, the stones are installed up to and even flush with the patio door, preventing any dirt from getting underneath.
Thank you very much for your help.
B
Bieber081520 Sep 2017 23:08I would also install a channel drain there.
Sorry, but I don’t see anything wrong in the photo. Everything looks fine to me. Why a gutter? A terrace always has a slight slope away from the house.
This is what a properly constructed terrace looks like from a garden landscaper’s perspective here. Drainage pipes are placed under the gravel both near the house and in front of the planters, the terrace has a slope, and there is a step with a small threshold near the door, so water will definitely never enter the house. Karsten
This is what a properly constructed terrace looks like from a garden landscaper’s perspective here. Drainage pipes are placed under the gravel both near the house and in front of the planters, the terrace has a slope, and there is a step with a small threshold near the door, so water will definitely never enter the house. Karsten
Nordlys schrieb:
This is what a professionally built terrace by a landscape gardener looks like here. Show-off.Similar topics