Good morning,
I would like to ask for some advice. We had a prefabricated house built through a general contractor. We also had a balcony constructed, but at the time of selecting the finishes, we decided to install the balcony railing ourselves.
Unfortunately, the builder did not inform us that a mounting fixture would be necessary for securing the railing.
Now I am looking for companies to install the railing, but everyone refuses because it would require cutting into the façade and insulation to screw the railing onto the wooden beam, and no one wants to assume liability for the warranty. How should we approach this issue with the builder? Does the missing mounting fixture count as a construction defect?
Thank you very much for your opinions!
Tessa
I would like to ask for some advice. We had a prefabricated house built through a general contractor. We also had a balcony constructed, but at the time of selecting the finishes, we decided to install the balcony railing ourselves.
Unfortunately, the builder did not inform us that a mounting fixture would be necessary for securing the railing.
Now I am looking for companies to install the railing, but everyone refuses because it would require cutting into the façade and insulation to screw the railing onto the wooden beam, and no one wants to assume liability for the warranty. How should we approach this issue with the builder? Does the missing mounting fixture count as a construction defect?
Thank you very much for your opinions!
Tessa
It's not impossible, just requires effort.
As I said: If I, as the homeowner, want to do something myself (or provide materials), it is my responsibility to educate myself or hire professional support (architect, engineer, etc.).
Standing afterwards and saying "I'm an amateur, I couldn't have known" does not show good judgment...
As I said: If I, as the homeowner, want to do something myself (or provide materials), it is my responsibility to educate myself or hire professional support (architect, engineer, etc.).
Standing afterwards and saying "I'm an amateur, I couldn't have known" does not show good judgment...
S
SaniererNRW12331 Oct 2022 17:17Tessa12 schrieb:
Apparently, the wooden beam is also too thin. What kind of wooden beam?
Tessa12 schrieb:
The railing cannot be attached to the balcony either, since there is insulation and a zinc parapet here as well. Where exactly and how?
Tessa12 schrieb:
Apparently, a major demolition is needed. Who says that and for what exact reason?
Tessa12 schrieb:
But why build the balcony and not mention that installation is impossible in this design? Why order a balcony without a railing and not ask how the railing is supposed to be attached?
Again: You ordered a balcony without a railing. Period.
Why don’t you answer the questions? Why don’t you show any plans or photos? You haven’t even said what kind of railing it is.
SaniererNRW123 schrieb:
How is he supposed to know what you want to build? Glass railing? Stainless steel on the balcony? Wood? Attachment to the facade? Fixed on the balcony? Attached in front of the balcony? There are dozens of possibilities. If your communication and approach during construction were the same, it’s no surprise that the general contractor just delivers exactly what you ordered.
And if you don’t provide more information here in the forum, you will get exactly what is happening now: guessing, requests for details, and no useful advice.
Sorry, please don’t take this the wrong way. But so far, you’ve been complaining on two pages about something not being attachable to some beams in some way. My crystal ball really can’t help with that.
@SaniererNRW123 explained the situation exactly!
But now it’s up to you to make the best of it. For example, my brother and I consciously decided to act as project managers with all the responsibilities that come with it. I would never have taken that on by myself (didn’t trust myself). It’s a lot of responsibility for a very large amount of money! As a layperson, you either hire a building expert or engage a professional project manager for a suitable fee. The key is to have someone knowledgeable on YOUR side. It’s not that the general contractor or builder is your “opponent,” but they usually think more about themselves than the client. Not doing either is apparently a fairly common naïveté, and you’re definitely not alone in that!
Really, no one here wishes you any harm. But now you have to deliver the documents and information already mentioned.
But now it’s up to you to make the best of it. For example, my brother and I consciously decided to act as project managers with all the responsibilities that come with it. I would never have taken that on by myself (didn’t trust myself). It’s a lot of responsibility for a very large amount of money! As a layperson, you either hire a building expert or engage a professional project manager for a suitable fee. The key is to have someone knowledgeable on YOUR side. It’s not that the general contractor or builder is your “opponent,” but they usually think more about themselves than the client. Not doing either is apparently a fairly common naïveté, and you’re definitely not alone in that!
Really, no one here wishes you any harm. But now you have to deliver the documents and information already mentioned.
Tessa12 schrieb:
Well, as a layperson, I simply can't know all the requirements for how and where things need to be built to ensure everything works afterward. If I buy a balcony, I assume that a railing can be installed. But it is precisely this “Well, I as a layperson” that must do research beforehand to find out whether this layperson actually has the relevant experience.
If I deliberately leave out the flooring, I can’t complain as a layperson that I could not foresee that leveling work is required in addition to the flooring.
If I do something myself on site, I need to inform myself in advance about whether I am even capable of doing it.
ateliersiegel1 Nov 2022 08:43I also assume that the builder who does not order a railing is responsible for timely preparation of the fastening, but it would be considered courteous if the contractor checks in promptly regarding this decision.
The people involved are not paid for thinking along or providing advice. They often just follow their usual routine without any deviation. On the other hand, due to the shortage of skilled workers, they rush from one construction site to another. They certainly don’t have the time or patience to guide people who want to contribute on-site in any significant way.
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