ᐅ Cantilever staircase is unstable; the stair builder is not a true specialist.
Created on: 30 Jan 2025 16:37
F
Fenix34
Hello dear forum members,
I am completely desperate. We are currently building a house. I have wanted a cantilever staircase for years. Unfortunately, the companies specializing in cantilever staircases were outside our budget. That’s why I placed an ad on eBay Classifieds, and someone responded claiming to be a staircase builder. His price was “only” half of what the specialists charge, which is still quite a lot of money. In the end, he tried three times to attach the steps to the concrete wall. On the first attempt, the steps did not hold. On the second attempt, he used different anchors. On the third attempt, he used adhesive. The steps held for about three weeks with the adhesive. The staircase was never used, but just now we saw that one step slipped out and is no longer properly fixed.
After the first failed attempt, I became suspicious and contacted the Chamber of Crafts. Although he is registered there, he is not registered as a staircase builder; he is only allowed to manufacture wire frames.
Of course, we made an initial down payment. After the third attempt, we also paid the remaining amount.
I no longer trust him. Should I involve a lawyer and demand my money back, or should I give him another chance? I am worried that someone might get hurt if the staircase is not properly designed and secured.
I am completely desperate. We are currently building a house. I have wanted a cantilever staircase for years. Unfortunately, the companies specializing in cantilever staircases were outside our budget. That’s why I placed an ad on eBay Classifieds, and someone responded claiming to be a staircase builder. His price was “only” half of what the specialists charge, which is still quite a lot of money. In the end, he tried three times to attach the steps to the concrete wall. On the first attempt, the steps did not hold. On the second attempt, he used different anchors. On the third attempt, he used adhesive. The steps held for about three weeks with the adhesive. The staircase was never used, but just now we saw that one step slipped out and is no longer properly fixed.
After the first failed attempt, I became suspicious and contacted the Chamber of Crafts. Although he is registered there, he is not registered as a staircase builder; he is only allowed to manufacture wire frames.
Of course, we made an initial down payment. After the third attempt, we also paid the remaining amount.
I no longer trust him. Should I involve a lawyer and demand my money back, or should I give him another chance? I am worried that someone might get hurt if the staircase is not properly designed and secured.
H
hanghaus20232 Feb 2025 20:03Should the exposed concrete remain visible, or will it be plastered later?
That will only cause further delays.
An experienced structural engineer should calculate this first.
Allthewayup schrieb:
I would advise the original poster to seek immediate support from legal counsel; anything else will only delay the process.
That will only cause further delays.
An experienced structural engineer should calculate this first.
A
Allthewayup2 Feb 2025 20:14hanghaus2023 schrieb:
That just delays things even more.I see it differently. If not already done, set a legally binding deadline for corrections, and then either a third botched job happens or nothing does. In that case, have a replacement measure carried out and claim the cost difference between the specialist company and the initial faulty work from the responsible party.
This can only be done afterwards.
I did not intend to wait until a legal dispute had been resolved.
As we could see here from a photo, the person apparently had no idea—neither about what he was doing nor how he did it.