Getting builder to redo wall?

sapper

Hi my kitchen is currently being renovated by a builder. I’ve just noticed this weekend that new window opening that I had included in my drawing has been built up a full 600mm less than drawn. So instead of a 2200mm window it will be 1600 if it stays as is. I’m a novice at this but my drawing was pretty clear - can I reasonably expect the builder to make the opening as wide as we originally put in the drawing? Take down the block work and lintel that’s there? It’s ok the way he has it but I’d like as much window as possible. Would my asking be a huge problem or is this kind of thing par for the course in building jobs? We’ve got a good few more weeks to go so don’t want to fall out with him or invite extra costs....

Ajsoprano

Unless he had a very valid reason to go off the drawings it may have just been a mistake reading the drawings. Not a big deal these things happen. Best they are found sooner rather than later.

the_pen_turner

all you can do is ask. there must be a reason

Effects

Make sure the reason is valid and not jut a cover up so they don't have to redo the work!

lawred2

Effects wrote: »

Make sure the reason is valid and not jut a cover up so they don't have to redo the work!

The only valid reason would be that the drawing said 1600.

Any other reason is on the builder and has to be remedied by the builder.

seamus

lawred2 wrote: »

The only valid reason would be that the drawing said 1600.

Any other reason is on the builder and has to be remedied by the builder.

It wouldn't be uncommon for a builder when they hit a snag to go ahead and apply the fix and tell the client later.

For example, if it turned out that structurally a 2200mm window wasn't possible/safe and the largest possible window was 1600, then that's your only option. In order to avoid delays and to get the blockwork done that day, the builder will often just go ahead and do it rather than trying to get in touch in with the client and sit on their hands waiting for a decision when there isn't really any decision to be made.

This does annoy a lot of people, and common courtesy would dictate that they do it and then ring you and tell you they've done it.

Had a similar thing ourselves when we were getting an upstairs bathroom done. They hit a snag with pipework under the floor and the only way to sort it was to pull up carpets, floorboards, thresholds and skirting boards upstairs, or remove part of the ceiling downstairs below the pipes. So they just went for the latter and forgot to tell us until we walked in to a 2sq.m chunk out of our kitchen ceiling. Annoying, but these things happen. Stopping the work to call me and ask would have just delayed everything.

lawred2

seamus wrote: »

It wouldn't be uncommon for a builder when they hit a snag to go ahead and apply the fix and tell the client later.

For example, if it turned out that structurally a 2200mm window wasn't possible/safe and the largest possible window was 1600, then that's your only option. In order to avoid delays and to get the blockwork done that day, the builder will often just go ahead and do it rather than trying to get in touch in with the client and sit on their hands waiting for a decision when there isn't really any decision to be made.

This does annoy a lot of people, and common courtesy would dictate that they do it and then ring you and tell you they've done it.

Had a similar thing ourselves when we were getting an upstairs bathroom done. They hit a snag with pipework under the floor and the only way to sort it was to pull up carpets, floorboards, thresholds and skirting boards upstairs, or remove part of the ceiling downstairs below the pipes. So they just went for the latter and forgot to tell us until we walked in to a 2sq.m chunk out of our kitchen ceiling. Annoying, but these things happen. Stopping the work to call me and ask would have just delayed everything.

Still should have rang you.

All the same there is one hell of big difference between a plasterboard hole and a completely different sized opening for a window in a concrete block wall.

A builder that pulls a stunt like that without saying anything to anyone is trouble.

Usually the same specified width given to a builder for a window opening will have been given to a window supplier. Unless of course the builder has a window of those dimensions lying about that he wants to make use of.

Effects

seamus wrote: »

It wouldn't be uncommon for a builder when they hit a snag to go ahead and apply the fix and tell the client later.

As mentioned, changing an opening size isn't a snag.
I wouldn't put up with something like that. It ends up costing the builder more when he has to put it right.

B-D-P--

To be fair its a large change,
Did you supply the materials?
What size lintel did you supply?

Effects

B-D-P-- wrote: »

To be fair its a large change,
Did you supply the materials?
What size lintel did you supply?

You think the OP supplied the wrong materials?