ᐅ Subsequent structural engineering changes / additional costs
Created on: 8 Nov 2019 21:02
C
Citrus91
Hello,
we have signed a consumer construction contract with a house building company. The contract includes a clause stating that additional costs may arise due to ordered measures related to the building permit / planning permission or the structural engineering calculations.
We replaced the wooden staircase of the standard house model we selected with a concrete staircase. The seller initially offered this change for an additional price of about 200€ (approximately $220) and it was included in the contract before signing. After the contract was signed, the structural engineer completed the calculations, and the building application and permit were approved, the house builder now wants to charge extra for additional work due to the structural requirements. The ceiling between the ground floor and first floor is supposed to be changed from 18cm (7 inches) to 22cm (9 inches) because of the staircase. This change is quoted to cost around 1000€ (about $1100). That is five times the original 200€. Is something like this legally justified? Where is the limit in such cases?
Thank you for your answers.
we have signed a consumer construction contract with a house building company. The contract includes a clause stating that additional costs may arise due to ordered measures related to the building permit / planning permission or the structural engineering calculations.
We replaced the wooden staircase of the standard house model we selected with a concrete staircase. The seller initially offered this change for an additional price of about 200€ (approximately $220) and it was included in the contract before signing. After the contract was signed, the structural engineer completed the calculations, and the building application and permit were approved, the house builder now wants to charge extra for additional work due to the structural requirements. The ceiling between the ground floor and first floor is supposed to be changed from 18cm (7 inches) to 22cm (9 inches) because of the staircase. This change is quoted to cost around 1000€ (about $1100). That is five times the original 200€. Is something like this legally justified? Where is the limit in such cases?
Thank you for your answers.
H
Hausbau201910 Nov 2019 19:12I don’t know if I would take the risk again today. They hold the stronger position. And what can you do about it anyway? There are only two options: pay or take legal action.
Well, you probably accepted the offer from a salesperson.
Afterwards, the one who has to carry it out comes into play.
But as many here have already said: the price is great, so getting upset about it is totally misplaced.
Take the advice of @Hausbau2019 seriously; bigger challenges and more unexpected costs are still ahead of you.
Afterwards, the one who has to carry it out comes into play.
But as many here have already said: the price is great, so getting upset about it is totally misplaced.
Take the advice of @Hausbau2019 seriously; bigger challenges and more unexpected costs are still ahead of you.