ᐅ Shell construction company builds basement smaller than in the approved building plans
Created on: 28 Jan 2023 21:18
D
domino55
Hello everyone,
A shell construction company was commissioned to build the basement with in-situ concrete according to the existing factory plan (14.0 x 6.66 m (46 ft x 21.8 ft)). However, the company missed the dimensions and built the basement about 4 cm (1.6 inches) smaller. This applies to both the exterior and interior measurements.
Dimensions according to factory plan
Target house width: 6.66 m (21.8 ft)
Target width of basement concrete walls exterior: 6.525 m (21.4 ft)
Target width of basement concrete walls interior: 6.025 m (19.8 ft)
Actual width of basement concrete walls exterior: 6.48 m (21.3 ft) (-0.04 m (-1.6 inches))
Actual width of basement concrete walls interior: 5.96 m (19.6 ft) (-0.06 m (-2.4 inches))
I measured myself using various tape measures and a laser distance meter.
What should be done in this situation?
Price reduction due to smaller total area? If so, how much? Are there any standard tables or guidelines for this?
It is especially unfortunate that the house was built smaller on the narrow side (maximum size restricted by the zoning/land-use plan), where every centimeter counts.
This also has consequences such as the possible need to adjust the factory plan (staircase, adjacent walls, support columns no longer fit).
Best regards
A shell construction company was commissioned to build the basement with in-situ concrete according to the existing factory plan (14.0 x 6.66 m (46 ft x 21.8 ft)). However, the company missed the dimensions and built the basement about 4 cm (1.6 inches) smaller. This applies to both the exterior and interior measurements.
Dimensions according to factory plan
Target house width: 6.66 m (21.8 ft)
Target width of basement concrete walls exterior: 6.525 m (21.4 ft)
Target width of basement concrete walls interior: 6.025 m (19.8 ft)
Actual width of basement concrete walls exterior: 6.48 m (21.3 ft) (-0.04 m (-1.6 inches))
Actual width of basement concrete walls interior: 5.96 m (19.6 ft) (-0.06 m (-2.4 inches))
I measured myself using various tape measures and a laser distance meter.
What should be done in this situation?
Price reduction due to smaller total area? If so, how much? Are there any standard tables or guidelines for this?
It is especially unfortunate that the house was built smaller on the narrow side (maximum size restricted by the zoning/land-use plan), where every centimeter counts.
This also has consequences such as the possible need to adjust the factory plan (staircase, adjacent walls, support columns no longer fit).
Best regards
guckuck2 schrieb:
No answer is also an answer.How are responses to these questions supposed to help with my problem? I honestly can’t see it. That’s why I’m ignoring them.
A
Allthewayup29 Jan 2023 20:35domino55 schrieb:
How exactly are answers to these questions supposed to help with my problem? I just can’t see it.
That’s why I’m ignoring them.You are also consistently ignoring well-meant and serious advice.You suspect several issues with your basement but haven’t consulted any experts so far. What is the purpose of your questions?
Allthewayup schrieb:
You also consistently ignore well-intended and serious advice.
You suspect several problems with your basement but have not yet obtained an expert opinion. What is the purpose of your questions? An expert I hired has identified and documented the insufficient concrete cover. Now the construction company should carry out repairs.
In my opinion, incorrect dimensions for a length up to 6.66 m (22 feet) can also be identified without an expert.
I have reported the incorrect dimensions to the construction company.
As far as I know, the burden of proof for correct execution lies with the construction company. The construction company should hire an expert and provide evidence of the correct dimensions. Or am I mistaken?
A
Allthewayup29 Jan 2023 21:09domino55 schrieb:
An expert I hired identified and documented the insufficient concrete cover. Now the construction company is supposed to carry out the corrections.
In my opinion, incorrect measurements for a length up to 6.66 m (22 feet) can also be identified without an expert.
I have already complained about the incorrect measurements to the construction company.
As far as I know, the burden of proof for correct execution lies with the construction company. They should engage an expert and provide evidence of the correct measurements. Or am I mistaken? Finally, some answers to questions raised in your other thread. And this "expert" you hired was also the one who confirmed to you in writing that a black tank (bituminous waterproofing) can be considered equivalent to a white tank (structural waterproofing) after some minor repairs? What does this "expert" say about the durability of their repair suggestions compared to the white tank agreed upon in the contract—if that was indeed specified in your contract?
My expert provided comprehensive statements about the current execution, the quality at present, remediation measures, and the expected quality after repairs. Based on that, they assessed the risk of damage occurrence, the expected extent of damage, loss of value, etc. A real expert, basically.
Let’s assume the tape measure was used correctly. I can hardly imagine that the construction company will hire an expert due to the measurement deviations. Okay, you complained about the deviations—let’s say by email—requested remediation, and now you’re waiting for the structural contractor’s response. What do you think will happen next? Either you’ll get an explanation—why, what happened, technical justifications, etc.—or a simple “sorry, that’s part of rough construction.” What is your goal? What do you expect based on the defects you identified? Are they so serious that demolition might be an option for you, or is there still a chance to get everything compliant according to the applicable standards? Have you spoken to the contractor about the insufficient concrete cover and measurement deviations verbally so far, and how did they respond?
Allthewayup schrieb:
Finally, some answers to questions raised in your other thread. And this so-called “expert” you hired was also the one who wrote to you confirming that a black tank is equivalent to a white tank with just a bit of repair work? What does this “expert” say about the durability of his repair proposals compared to the white tank that is supposedly stipulated in your contract? – assuming it is actually agreed upon in your contract. My expert measured the concrete cover. I specifically hired him only for that, after noticing the defects once the basement walls were stripped of their formwork. I did not commission a repair plan.
The statement that “a black tank is equivalent to a white tank” was submitted by the construction company in response. It comes from some in-house structural engineer of the construction company (he did no calculations on my site).
Construction is based on the architect’s plans I submitted (working drawings) and the reinforcement plan/structural calculations (from “my” structural engineer).
Allthewayup schrieb:
We can assume measuring tape was used properly. I can’t imagine the construction company would hire an expert because of the measurement deviations. So, you have pointed out the deviations by email, requested remediation, and are now waiting for the contractor’s response. How do you think it will proceed? Either you will get an explanation—some technical justification or excuse—or a simple apology since it’s just the shell construction. What is your goal? What do you expect based on the defects you found? Are they severe enough that demolition is an option for you, or is it possible to rectify everything according to the general technical contract conditions? I expect them to cover consequential costs (for example, adjusting the execution plans) and a price reduction. I am interested in how much money this might involve (court rulings or similar precedents).
Allthewayup schrieb:
Have you addressed the contractor verbally about the insufficient concrete cover and the measurement deviations, and how did he respond? In verbal discussions, he denied all defects.
Only after presenting the expert’s evidence (concrete cover) did he acknowledge those specific defects described by the expert. He still denies the measurement deviations.
domino55 schrieb:
My expert measured the concrete cover. I specifically hired him only for that, after I noticed defects once the basement walls were stripped of their formwork. Please consider investing a bit more and hire your expert for a more comprehensive consultation and inspection of the rest of the construction site. He should be able to clearly tell you what is reasonable, what can be technically resolved without issues, what you have to accept as is, or when demolition and rebuilding is justified.
In the end, you may still need to weigh whether you want to continue building as planned or go through a lengthy legal dispute with a construction halt.
Similar topics