ᐅ Toilet too close to the wall, what now?

Hello and happy New Year to everyone,

our house handover has now almost been completed, and after the site manager left, I finally used our new toilet... what can I say: I can’t move my right hand "backward" because the toilet is only 13 cm (5 inches) away from the wall, and, for example, my husband with broad shoulders actually touches the wall.

The layout plans did not include measurements for the position of fixtures, and at no point was it clear to us that there might be a minor planning error. In my opinion, the framework for the toilet could certainly have been shifted slightly to the right toward the bidet to create more space from the wall.

It seems that there is no official standard for the distances of fixtures from walls, except for accessible bathrooms.

Is this considered a defect? Or did we just get unlucky?

Does anyone have any knowledge about the legal situation for us?

Thank you very much

A construction defect occurs when the building work is not usable for the intended purpose (as stated in the building code).
Can you reach behind with your left hand?
Can your husband sit (or stand in front)?
Can he use his left hand?
If all answers are yes, there is likely no significant defect. It may have been modestly planned (and/or supervised), but probably not a construction defect.

HalloClarissa schrieb:

The plans did not include dimensions for the locations of the elements, and at no point was it clear to us that there might be a small planning error.

During the “planning” by, if I recall correctly, a plan submitter from the importer, the highest level of “presumption of mistrust” would have been appropriate. Moreover, describing the plans as “undimensioned” is a bit naïve when it’s clear that there is only about half the width of a 30cm (12 inches) tile of “space” available. Whether that is 15 or 13 cm (6 or 5 inches), in my opinion, doesn’t change much. From my perspective, this represents a lack of oversight on your part, but nothing that, in the eyes of a judge, would indicate shared liability on the part of your contractor.

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11ant schrieb:

When the “planning” was done by, if I remember correctly, the importer’s plan submitter, the highest degree of “presumption of mistrust” would have been appropriate. Besides, calling it “unmeasured” is a bit naive when you can clearly see that there will be only about half the width of a 30cm (12 inches) tile available. Whether that is 15 or 13 cm (6 or 5 inches), in my opinion, makes no significant difference. From my point of view, there was a failure on your part to check, but nothing that, in the eyes of a judge, would make your contractor partially liable.

And how exactly am I supposed to know that the tile illustration in the bathroom shows a 30cm (12 inches) tile? And how am I supposed to know what distance to the wall is normally required? This is a prefab house and all drawings and plans come from the home manufacturer.

HalloClarissa schrieb:

And how am I supposed to know that the tiles shown in the bathroom are supposed to be 30 cm tiles?

If you look at the posted floor plan, it’s almost obvious. There is a 90 cm (35 inch) window dimensioned, and if you look closely, exactly three tiles fit, which means each tile is 30 cm (12 inches).

HalloClarissa schrieb:

And how am I supposed to know the usual distance from the wall?

Didn’t you have a toilet in your old apartment? You can usually estimate the amount of space needed based on that.

HalloClarissa schrieb:

And how exactly am I supposed to know that the bathroom tiles should be 30cm (12 inches)?

Based on the measurements in the plan you provided. For example, 120cm (47 inches) exactly covers four tiles.

HalloClarissa schrieb:

And how am I supposed to know the usual distance from the wall?

If you have never done this before, you have to rely on your own judgment. You won’t have any prior knowledge.

Solution-oriented: I would place the toilet paper holder a bit forward on the partition wall and plan for a left-handed reach. Position the holder so you can comfortably reach it with a crosswise grip.