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
H
hanghaus202329 Jan 2023 23:10Who set out the batter boards?
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
I’ll ask if you have already formally requested the basement contractor in writing to fix the defects, setting a deadline. It seems like you are managing the construction yourself. Otherwise, the site manager would take care of this. I have done so in writing, with a deadline set for 31.03.2023.
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
Request a remediation proposal from the basement contractor regarding the insufficient concrete cover that ensures equivalence of the components. I’ll ask again: What does the contractor owe according to the contract (watertight concrete structure / “white tank”)? The contract itself does not contain the term “white tank,” but it is mentioned in the execution plans/static calculations provided to the basement contractor before the contract was signed.
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
In case of dimensional deviations that do not comply with the tolerances of the DIN standards, you or your site manager have violated the inspection obligation.
You, as the client, also bear partial responsibility. Is this your personal opinion, or is it regulated by law somewhere?
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
Nevertheless, I would also request the contractor to provide a proposal for defect remediation, recommending that they report the damage to their insurance. I will add the recommendation about insurance reporting.
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
Who set up the batter boards?The basement contractor did it himself.H
hanghaus202329 Jan 2023 23:38domino55 schrieb:
I did it in writing, with a deadline of March 31, 2023. OK
domino55 schrieb:
The contract itself does not mention the term "white tank," but it does appear in the construction plans and static calculations that were presented to the basement contractor before the contract was signed. Does the contract also specify that these plans are part of the contract?
domino55 schrieb:
Is that your personal opinion, or is it regulated somewhere by law? The client is responsible for their building project. If they lack the necessary qualifications, architects or engineers can be hired to oversee the construction on their behalf. These professionals carry liability insurance in case something goes wrong due to an oversight.
By the way, who approved the reinforcement/formwork before the concrete was poured?
As the saying goes, "Trust is good, but verification is better."
domino55 schrieb:
I will add the recommendation about the insurance. The suggestion to involve an expert or lawyer is serious. What do you think the contractor will do?
H
hanghaus202329 Jan 2023 23:43domino55 schrieb:
The basement contractor did it himself.Then that is his own fault.hanghaus2023 schrieb:
By the way, who inspected the reinforcement/formwork before pouring the concrete? The structural engineer of the basement builder (his in-house engineer, the same one who wrote the document about the waterproofing equivalent to a white tank).