Hello everyone,
I registered here because we have a "small" problem (probably like some others here) and are unsure about our rights or what actions we can take.
To explain the issue from the beginning: We had a four-unit townhouse built as a shell. We hired others or did ourselves the rest (electrical work, etc.). Everything was fine. Now we are at the stage of complete interior finishing, including laying the floors and installing interior doors. We noticed that the door heights are not standard.
The contract with the builder states: "According to plan." The plan shows 2.17 meters (7 ft 1 in) in the basement, and 2.30 meters (7 ft 7 in) on the ground floor and upper floor, measured without the screed (which was added later, 16 cm (6 in) in the basement/ground floor and 13 cm (5 in) on the upper floor).
The basement is not a problem; it meets the standard dimensions.
However, the door openings on the ground and upper floors require custom-made doors. We never requested such an extreme height; the builder said they always build it like that and did not inform us beforehand. During construction, our interior doors supplier also contacted the builder, asking them not to exceed the standard height. Unfortunately, due to stress and workload, no one paid attention afterwards. Also, the plan with these dimensions was accepted at the time — in writing.
We realize that, since the plan was accepted in writing, we don’t have much ground to formally complain about defects. Still, we think it is unfair that, as laypeople, we were not informed and, even though it is not standard, this was presented to us as if it were.
Does anyone have tips or experience with what we might be able to do?
Again: We understand that because the plan was accepted in writing, there is little room to officially raise an issue. However, the doors now cost almost double the usual price, and we have additional expenses even though we are doing some work ourselves to restore standard dimensions. It’s very frustrating, but hope dies last that maybe I can officially make a complaint.
Thank you in advance.
Best regards!
I registered here because we have a "small" problem (probably like some others here) and are unsure about our rights or what actions we can take.
To explain the issue from the beginning: We had a four-unit townhouse built as a shell. We hired others or did ourselves the rest (electrical work, etc.). Everything was fine. Now we are at the stage of complete interior finishing, including laying the floors and installing interior doors. We noticed that the door heights are not standard.
The contract with the builder states: "According to plan." The plan shows 2.17 meters (7 ft 1 in) in the basement, and 2.30 meters (7 ft 7 in) on the ground floor and upper floor, measured without the screed (which was added later, 16 cm (6 in) in the basement/ground floor and 13 cm (5 in) on the upper floor).
The basement is not a problem; it meets the standard dimensions.
However, the door openings on the ground and upper floors require custom-made doors. We never requested such an extreme height; the builder said they always build it like that and did not inform us beforehand. During construction, our interior doors supplier also contacted the builder, asking them not to exceed the standard height. Unfortunately, due to stress and workload, no one paid attention afterwards. Also, the plan with these dimensions was accepted at the time — in writing.
We realize that, since the plan was accepted in writing, we don’t have much ground to formally complain about defects. Still, we think it is unfair that, as laypeople, we were not informed and, even though it is not standard, this was presented to us as if it were.
Does anyone have tips or experience with what we might be able to do?
Again: We understand that because the plan was accepted in writing, there is little room to officially raise an issue. However, the doors now cost almost double the usual price, and we have additional expenses even though we are doing some work ourselves to restore standard dimensions. It’s very frustrating, but hope dies last that maybe I can officially make a complaint.
Thank you in advance.
Best regards!
Are the interior walls already plastered?
If not, you could fill the missing section above the door with expanding foam, cover it front and back with a piece of wood or drywall, and then apply plaster or something else on top (like wallpaper). It’s a bit fiddly, but should be doable.
If not, you could fill the missing section above the door with expanding foam, cover it front and back with a piece of wood or drywall, and then apply plaster or something else on top (like wallpaper). It’s a bit fiddly, but should be doable.
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