ᐅ The heating system does not fit into the utility room as planned.
Created on: 11 Jun 2018 00:11
H
hondazp11
Hello,
after several frustrations with the way our site manager has been handling things, we experienced another major issue over the weekend.
Our heating system was installed.
Unfortunately, its dimensions do not match the planned measurements. As a result, the heater now partially blocks the window, and the window cannot be fully opened.
According to the plan, the heater was supposed to be positioned to allow enough space by the window.
The site manager prepared the plan and the specifications and presented them to us for signature. We then commissioned the heating system.
Now it turns out that it does not fit as expected.
The site manager claims that his drawing was only schematic.
That alone is quite frustrating.
It remains to be determined to what extent this is a planning error.
Is this something one has to accept? The actual dimensions deviate from those in the plan.
My main question now is: if we have to accept it as it is, we will need to minimize the damage:
The heater is placed in the rear right corner, angled in front of the window, about 70 cm (28 inches) from the exterior wall. Next to the heater, in the direction of the window, an expansion vessel and a filling station for the external unit are installed.
If these could be relocated to a different position, it might be possible—if at all feasible—to rotate the heater and place it directly against the exterior wall. (Theoretically, there is enough space. The heater is 70 cm (28 inches) wide, and the space is 80 cm (31 inches).
Is this even possible? Can the expansion vessel and filling station be relocated?
Thank you in advance for any advice.
Best regards, Franzi
after several frustrations with the way our site manager has been handling things, we experienced another major issue over the weekend.
Our heating system was installed.
Unfortunately, its dimensions do not match the planned measurements. As a result, the heater now partially blocks the window, and the window cannot be fully opened.
According to the plan, the heater was supposed to be positioned to allow enough space by the window.
The site manager prepared the plan and the specifications and presented them to us for signature. We then commissioned the heating system.
Now it turns out that it does not fit as expected.
The site manager claims that his drawing was only schematic.
That alone is quite frustrating.
It remains to be determined to what extent this is a planning error.
Is this something one has to accept? The actual dimensions deviate from those in the plan.
My main question now is: if we have to accept it as it is, we will need to minimize the damage:
The heater is placed in the rear right corner, angled in front of the window, about 70 cm (28 inches) from the exterior wall. Next to the heater, in the direction of the window, an expansion vessel and a filling station for the external unit are installed.
If these could be relocated to a different position, it might be possible—if at all feasible—to rotate the heater and place it directly against the exterior wall. (Theoretically, there is enough space. The heater is 70 cm (28 inches) wide, and the space is 80 cm (31 inches).
Is this even possible? Can the expansion vessel and filling station be relocated?
Thank you in advance for any advice.
Best regards, Franzi
HilfeHilfe schrieb:
Sorry, typical woman and graphic designer... functionality should be the priority. Others have already mentioned that the tradesperson needs to be able to access everything during inspections or if problems arise. Where I have to support frenzy is the fact that functionality is indeed impaired when the window is obstructed by the radiator. This could and should have been considered during planning, either by slightly shifting the window or by designing it with a right-hand hinge. This would probably be the solution I would try to pursue, since other options likely won’t be feasible.
If the window really cannot be opened, then the general contractor should be responsible for fixing this. At least from my layperson’s point of view, I would regard this as a defect.
H
HilfeHilfe11 Jun 2018 18:18frenzy schrieb:
Now don’t get unobjective. Then just replace the window. 10cm (4 inches) fixed with the frame, then the window. It will probably look even worse from the outside. So why not just flatten the wall on the left by 10cm (4 inches)? Now that’s objective! And I stick to my opinion: it’s purely a matter of aesthetics.
B
Bieber081512 Jun 2018 10:20I would be upset too! It’s simply frustrating when professionals who build houses overlook seemingly basic things. And then just shrug it off afterward.
If this is very important to the homeowner, it might be worth checking if there are other heating systems that deliver the same output but have different dimensions. Of course, that would be more expensive.
Otherwise, with a window hinged on the right side (viewed from inside), the impact is quite limited. I believe the utility room window is almost never fully opened. Do you have a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery? Our utility room window, if I recall correctly, has never been open or even tilted. Changing the hinge side, if necessary, won’t cost much.
Moving the window would change the exterior appearance. That is probably not desired and might even affect the building permit / planning permission.
Regarding the legal situation, that would need to be checked. Practically speaking, I think the homeowner will likely bear the costs. Maybe they can negotiate well, but that doesn’t help much in today’s situation.
If this is very important to the homeowner, it might be worth checking if there are other heating systems that deliver the same output but have different dimensions. Of course, that would be more expensive.
Otherwise, with a window hinged on the right side (viewed from inside), the impact is quite limited. I believe the utility room window is almost never fully opened. Do you have a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery? Our utility room window, if I recall correctly, has never been open or even tilted. Changing the hinge side, if necessary, won’t cost much.
Moving the window would change the exterior appearance. That is probably not desired and might even affect the building permit / planning permission.
Regarding the legal situation, that would need to be checked. Practically speaking, I think the homeowner will likely bear the costs. Maybe they can negotiate well, but that doesn’t help much in today’s situation.
I can understand the frustration, especially since you have paid 100% and expect to receive 100% in return.
Do you still have the full 120cm (47 inches) available for the washer and dryer as originally planned? The system is now placed in the room, making the entire space feel crowded, and there’s no proper wall surface left. The window is blocked, and I also see the space for the dryer at risk (especially since the blue pipe also sticks out from the wall, which means the washing machine would have to be moved forward). Overall, it all seems quite unfortunate.
From a legal standpoint (no legal advice intended), it looks like this is your issue. You hired the heating installer, so you should have discussed with them which heating system with which dimensions you wanted installed. The construction manager isn’t involved in this. Even with a general contractor, the heating installer usually comes out to you directly, and you agree with them on the placement (technical planning for plumbing and heating).
To have any chance of a claim for damages, you would have had to specify from the start that you wanted heating system x, variant y, and include this in the contract with a data sheet. That way, they would have the exact measurements, making it much harder to avoid responsibility. In your case, you are out of luck because you caused the problem yourself (self-contracting).
I don’t see where you could now claim a defect. The construction manager might be able to have a different window installed, but you would likely have to pay for that as well. I would let the matter rest here, as long as both machines fit.
And even if gas lasts only 30 to 40 years longer, the heating system won’t last that long anyway. A later replacement is always possible without problems.
Do you still have the full 120cm (47 inches) available for the washer and dryer as originally planned? The system is now placed in the room, making the entire space feel crowded, and there’s no proper wall surface left. The window is blocked, and I also see the space for the dryer at risk (especially since the blue pipe also sticks out from the wall, which means the washing machine would have to be moved forward). Overall, it all seems quite unfortunate.
The construction manager created the plan and the tender documents and presented them to us for signature; we commissioned the heating system.
From a legal standpoint (no legal advice intended), it looks like this is your issue. You hired the heating installer, so you should have discussed with them which heating system with which dimensions you wanted installed. The construction manager isn’t involved in this. Even with a general contractor, the heating installer usually comes out to you directly, and you agree with them on the placement (technical planning for plumbing and heating).
To have any chance of a claim for damages, you would have had to specify from the start that you wanted heating system x, variant y, and include this in the contract with a data sheet. That way, they would have the exact measurements, making it much harder to avoid responsibility. In your case, you are out of luck because you caused the problem yourself (self-contracting).
I don’t see where you could now claim a defect. The construction manager might be able to have a different window installed, but you would likely have to pay for that as well. I would let the matter rest here, as long as both machines fit.
And even if gas lasts only 30 to 40 years longer, the heating system won’t last that long anyway. A later replacement is always possible without problems.
H
hondazp1115 Jun 2018 16:17I haven’t even checked the dryer and washing machine yet. The window can now be opened; it was quietly and discreetly repaired. The appliance is now slightly tilted, but at least the window opens…
We commissioned the building planning, supervision, tendering, invoice verification, and construction management all from a single source. We hired them to verify the correctness of the plans they prepared.
That’s why it’s so frustrating. The utility room was also planned – the location for the heating system, washing machine, etc. I even joked and asked: Will everything actually fit in the end?
Well, now we have a problem.
For me, house planning is not just about functionality; the architecture also has to be right. That’s why we paid close attention to many details in the floor plan, which some might consider insignificant or trivial.
I did not expect that, despite being professionally prepared, it would not work out in the end. As a planner, one has the responsibility to satisfy their client.
Well, it is what it is.
We commissioned the building planning, supervision, tendering, invoice verification, and construction management all from a single source. We hired them to verify the correctness of the plans they prepared.
That’s why it’s so frustrating. The utility room was also planned – the location for the heating system, washing machine, etc. I even joked and asked: Will everything actually fit in the end?
Well, now we have a problem.
For me, house planning is not just about functionality; the architecture also has to be right. That’s why we paid close attention to many details in the floor plan, which some might consider insignificant or trivial.
I did not expect that, despite being professionally prepared, it would not work out in the end. As a planner, one has the responsibility to satisfy their client.
Well, it is what it is.
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