Hello,
We are now nearly finished with the preliminary planning for our semi-detached house and are moving on to the selection phase.
We have slightly modified the architect’s plan according to our wishes, as far as the building regulations allow. Up until now, the architect always mentioned a knee wall height of 1.69 meters (5 feet 7 inches) with a gable roof at 28 degrees. Now, for the final plan for our selection appointment, along with the cost estimate, a knee wall height of 1.30 meters (4 feet 3 inches) was shown. When I asked the architect about this, he told us that the knee wall height refers to the exterior knee wall. In all our personal discussions, there was never any mention that it was the exterior knee wall. We had assumed it was the interior knee wall (which was also noted in the cost calculation from our builder). Now the builder issued a credit for the lower knee wall height. Are we expected to accept this? We now have a cost increase of about €44,000, but the balcony cannot be planned the way we wanted, the knee wall is lower, etc. According to the construction contract, we agreed on a house with 154 sqm (1,656 sq ft) and a knee wall height of 1.60 meters (5 feet 3 inches), but this cannot be planned this way according to building regulations. Due to all this redesign (including structural engineering), we are now €44,000 more expensive.
We are now nearly finished with the preliminary planning for our semi-detached house and are moving on to the selection phase.
We have slightly modified the architect’s plan according to our wishes, as far as the building regulations allow. Up until now, the architect always mentioned a knee wall height of 1.69 meters (5 feet 7 inches) with a gable roof at 28 degrees. Now, for the final plan for our selection appointment, along with the cost estimate, a knee wall height of 1.30 meters (4 feet 3 inches) was shown. When I asked the architect about this, he told us that the knee wall height refers to the exterior knee wall. In all our personal discussions, there was never any mention that it was the exterior knee wall. We had assumed it was the interior knee wall (which was also noted in the cost calculation from our builder). Now the builder issued a credit for the lower knee wall height. Are we expected to accept this? We now have a cost increase of about €44,000, but the balcony cannot be planned the way we wanted, the knee wall is lower, etc. According to the construction contract, we agreed on a house with 154 sqm (1,656 sq ft) and a knee wall height of 1.60 meters (5 feet 3 inches), but this cannot be planned this way according to building regulations. Due to all this redesign (including structural engineering), we are now €44,000 more expensive.
The prefabricated house provider (seller) visited the plot together with the architect.
When we signed the construction contract for the Evolution 154, we agreed that the house should look like this, but as a duplex and then twice. The seller said this would not be a problem; the floor plan would just need to be adjusted slightly. During the sales meeting, he also had the zoning plan / building permit for review. He was therefore fully aware of the exact details of the plot (site plan, etc.).
Now, there are significant additional costs, then credits, then revised cost estimates, and so on. Just because we are now not allowed to build a knee wall height of 1.60 meters (5 feet 3 inches), which was agreed upon in the construction contract, we have received a credit of €2,000. How can I verify whether this credit is justified?
When we signed the construction contract for the Evolution 154, we agreed that the house should look like this, but as a duplex and then twice. The seller said this would not be a problem; the floor plan would just need to be adjusted slightly. During the sales meeting, he also had the zoning plan / building permit for review. He was therefore fully aware of the exact details of the plot (site plan, etc.).
Now, there are significant additional costs, then credits, then revised cost estimates, and so on. Just because we are now not allowed to build a knee wall height of 1.60 meters (5 feet 3 inches), which was agreed upon in the construction contract, we have received a credit of €2,000. How can I verify whether this credit is justified?
B
Bauexperte8 Feb 2013 17:08Hello,
Kind regards
merian schrieb:This statement is completely ridiculous; sorry – even as a layperson, you “should” have noticed this. With a width of 6.50 m (21 feet 4 inches), the original floor plan you bought basically leaves you with a typical semi-detached house layout, where the only noticeable choice is: open or closed staircase.
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That wouldn’t be a problem (seller) you would just need to adjust the floor plan a bit.
merian schrieb:Take the very good advice from E.Curb seriously and consult a lawyer you trust!
He also had the zoning plan/planning permission available during the sales discussion. So he knew the exact details of the plot (site plan, etc.). Now there are huge additional costs, then credits, then a new cost estimate again, and so on.
Just because we are no longer allowed to build a knee wall of 1.60 m (5 feet 3 inches) – which was signed in the construction contract – we have now received a credit of €2,000. How can I verify if this credit is justified?
Kind regards
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