Hi community,
We are currently building a house and are in the final phase. Three days ago, I visited the construction site and noticed that several walls in the basement and on the ground floor were damp, if not wet! There are lines where some areas have partially dried. The problem is, we are supposed to move in in about 10 days! So, am I really expected to move into a construction site with these and other defects that have not yet been fixed?
According to the site manager, this is normal and absolutely not a problem. However, this explanation has been given several times already, and we are getting tired of being comforted with excuses. The basement is so damp that we could hang laundry to dry there, but we would probably end up taking it down even wetter!
Is this normal, or what do you think?
We are currently building a house and are in the final phase. Three days ago, I visited the construction site and noticed that several walls in the basement and on the ground floor were damp, if not wet! There are lines where some areas have partially dried. The problem is, we are supposed to move in in about 10 days! So, am I really expected to move into a construction site with these and other defects that have not yet been fixed?
According to the site manager, this is normal and absolutely not a problem. However, this explanation has been given several times already, and we are getting tired of being comforted with excuses. The basement is so damp that we could hang laundry to dry there, but we would probably end up taking it down even wetter!
Is this normal, or what do you think?
U
Unregistriert18 Jan 2008 19:52..certainly not
Hello Mike
If it were an older house, then you would have to accept the moisture. In the past, rammed concrete was often used for foundations. These were left uninsulated on and in the ground... moisture will always diffuse through.
However, if you are talking about a new build and the budget is reasonable on both sides, then I think (as a remote assessment) you shouldn’t have to accept that.
If necessary, seek legal advice... but before that, try to find an amicable solution with the general contractor.
Also be aware of consequential damage that can result from such issues.
Unfortunately, nowadays a thorough construction supervision throughout the entire building process is necessary (since price pressure often leads to poor workmanship). The homeowner is often overwhelmed by this as well, which is understandable since they are usually not experts.
Write down every defect clearly and present the list to those responsible, asking what they intend to do about it.
And… do EVERYTHING, even if it is tedious, in writing… also insist on written responses only… in case of a dispute, that is the only thing that matters.
I do hope it doesn’t come to that, and that you can move into your new home satisfied and happy.
Best regards
From me
Hello Mike
If it were an older house, then you would have to accept the moisture. In the past, rammed concrete was often used for foundations. These were left uninsulated on and in the ground... moisture will always diffuse through.
However, if you are talking about a new build and the budget is reasonable on both sides, then I think (as a remote assessment) you shouldn’t have to accept that.
If necessary, seek legal advice... but before that, try to find an amicable solution with the general contractor.
Also be aware of consequential damage that can result from such issues.
Unfortunately, nowadays a thorough construction supervision throughout the entire building process is necessary (since price pressure often leads to poor workmanship). The homeowner is often overwhelmed by this as well, which is understandable since they are usually not experts.
Write down every defect clearly and present the list to those responsible, asking what they intend to do about it.
And… do EVERYTHING, even if it is tedious, in writing… also insist on written responses only… in case of a dispute, that is the only thing that matters.
I do hope it doesn’t come to that, and that you can move into your new home satisfied and happy.
Best regards
From me
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