Balcony support beams rotted after 9 years

Hello, we moved into the newly built prefab house in May 2008. In 2012, the tread plates and window sills were renewed because they did not meet EU standards. Here, part of the plaster was removed and rotted wood was sanded down. On the upper floor, there is a small long balcony supported by beams coming out of the house. These support beams are now completely rotted. The balcony can no longer be used. Is this now a hidden defect and can anything still be done about it? According to an expert, the sealing tapes were set too far in. The expert was able to tear off a beam by hand, it was that rotten. What can we do now? Best regards Roswitha

Hi,

The house is from 2008, so the warranty issue is probably over. The repair is from 2012, meaning even if some deadlines were restarted then, that was more than 5 years ago. To me as a layman, it sounds like this is now your problem and the house manufacturer is laughing all the way to the bank.

However, since this sounds quite expensive, I would strongly advise you to see a lawyer. That will cost a few hundred euros as well, but they can give you a well-founded opinion on whether there might still be ways to hold the construction company liable.

Good luck!

Best regards,

Andreas

I believe.., that means I don't know... I think you have to prove that back in 2008 it was not built according to the technology valid at that time. I see it then the way Andreas says: lawyer for [Baurecht]!

No, the suing won't work, if the wood has rotted after about 8 years, it will more likely have been due to lack of maintenance ([Erhaltungs-Anstriche])...

The beam is rotten inside the house. Specifically, directly at the house where the beam comes out of the wall and then migrated inward.

no, the lawsuits won’t work, if the wood has rotted after about 8 years, it’s more likely due to lack of maintenance (preservation coatings)...

There will be nothing. Lack of maintenance. The coniferous wood component urgently needed a generous coat of Carbol every two years. Now, only replacement helps.