ᐅ Forgot to install a floor drain. What is the cost of installing one afterwards?
Created on: 20 Nov 2017 15:16
N
Neuland1986
Hello!
We built our house with a general contractor. We paid all invoices directly to the tradespeople. Now we have the following problem:
A floor drain was planned for our utility room (marked in the building permit / planning permission and also listed in the construction specifications). The house has been completed since June, but this drain was forgotten. After several phone calls and on-site inspections, it turned out that the drain was already missed by the structural contractor in the concrete slab, etc. Our general contractor now wants to discuss this with him to "get to the bottom" of it.
This means finding out how much financial compensation he is willing to pay.
Based on past experiences, we suspect they might offer us just a few hundred euros (if anything at all).
Has anyone had a similar experience or any idea what a retroactive installation might cost? There are no pipes in place, the screed would need to be opened up, new tiles laid, and so on.
What would be a reasonable minimum compensation amount? And if we are offered too little, what would be the best way to proceed?
Thank you in advance.
We built our house with a general contractor. We paid all invoices directly to the tradespeople. Now we have the following problem:
A floor drain was planned for our utility room (marked in the building permit / planning permission and also listed in the construction specifications). The house has been completed since June, but this drain was forgotten. After several phone calls and on-site inspections, it turned out that the drain was already missed by the structural contractor in the concrete slab, etc. Our general contractor now wants to discuss this with him to "get to the bottom" of it.
This means finding out how much financial compensation he is willing to pay.
Based on past experiences, we suspect they might offer us just a few hundred euros (if anything at all).
Has anyone had a similar experience or any idea what a retroactive installation might cost? There are no pipes in place, the screed would need to be opened up, new tiles laid, and so on.
What would be a reasonable minimum compensation amount? And if we are offered too little, what would be the best way to proceed?
Thank you in advance.
B
Bau-Schmidt21 Nov 2017 07:47Neuland1986 schrieb:
After several phone calls and home inspections, it turned out that the drain was already overlooked by the structural contractor in the foundation slab, etc.Why is this only being noticed now?Bieber0815 schrieb:
Here, the damage is already done, but for future homeowners, the following advice applies:
- Consult a lawyer before signing anything.
- Monitor the construction consistently, since no one else will.
- Don’t wait until final inspection; report defects promptly (in writing).
- Insist on rectification of defects.
- When accepting the work, definitely reserve your rights regarding known defects. Oh dear... I'm sure someone will come along now and say:
“Bring some bread rolls and a beer to the shell builder, ask him about his and his family’s health. Ask how the kids are doing at school. Show interest.
Then give him $500 more than his actual cost and everything will be fine.”
ypg schrieb:
The subtle difference between MUST and CAN.
The floor drain may have its purpose, yet 99.9% of all households prove you can do without one. That’s the most ridiculous “argument” I’ve ever heard.
By that logic, you could also just skip installing a mechanical ventilation system, even though it’s specified in the scope of work.
Why? Because it works fine without it in everyone else’s house.
C
chand198621 Nov 2017 09:36@Farilo
Well, a forgotten controlled residential ventilation system causes a significant reduction in living comfort 24/7, whereas a forgotten drain in the utility room only matters in a very unlikely emergency. Just saying, regarding the argument...
(or is it intended for other purposes as well?)
In this case, retrofitting is only possible with partial demolition. So having the right doesn’t help you much here.
Trying to get the maximum financial compensation is the only reasonable approach in this situation.
However, I personally believe such a mistake cannot be compensated with just a few hundred dollars.
If small amounts are handed out without legal support, I consider at least consulting a specialized lawyer(!) advisable.
You received something different than agreed. Replacement or retrofit is impossible. Monetary compensation is the only solution. I would definitely make those responsible pay dearly. This is not a trivial or run-of-the-mill mistake.
Well, a forgotten controlled residential ventilation system causes a significant reduction in living comfort 24/7, whereas a forgotten drain in the utility room only matters in a very unlikely emergency. Just saying, regarding the argument...
(or is it intended for other purposes as well?)
In this case, retrofitting is only possible with partial demolition. So having the right doesn’t help you much here.
Trying to get the maximum financial compensation is the only reasonable approach in this situation.
However, I personally believe such a mistake cannot be compensated with just a few hundred dollars.
If small amounts are handed out without legal support, I consider at least consulting a specialized lawyer(!) advisable.
You received something different than agreed. Replacement or retrofit is impossible. Monetary compensation is the only solution. I would definitely make those responsible pay dearly. This is not a trivial or run-of-the-mill mistake.
A floor drain also requires pipes. If someone overlooked it in addition to the standard scope of work, it’s almost impossible to miss it in all the drawings.
However, it has a poor cost-to-benefit ratio. You don’t have to be very cynical to think that someone might have deliberately forgotten it. For that reason alone, and as a lesson, I would have the person responsible break up the floor until they are relieved that only the floor has to be broken up.
In the tram, this is called a “surcharge for transportation” ;-)
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
However, it has a poor cost-to-benefit ratio. You don’t have to be very cynical to think that someone might have deliberately forgotten it. For that reason alone, and as a lesson, I would have the person responsible break up the floor until they are relieved that only the floor has to be broken up.
In the tram, this is called a “surcharge for transportation” ;-)
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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