vegas
2013-03-02 15:58:12
- #1
Hello dear forum!
When it comes to construction defects, we are all in the same boat. That’s why we have a lot of stress and are dissatisfied, because with the move-in we actually wanted to enjoy a peaceful life. Now we have to fight for defect rectification, emotionally feeling like we are fighting a losing battle against a developer who seems to not care about anything after receiving the last payment......This is not what we imagined, is it?
Whether it’s a “TV-reportage-worthy” construction defect or many small defects is basically almost irrelevant. The fact is that there will be no defect rectification that will satisfy us as builders 100%. We will never receive compensation for the emotional stress, the money for expert opinions and lawyers, or the loss of quality of life – probably not even an apology from the developer. The defect rectification will either not take place at all because the developer simply plays dumb and relies on the (financially hard-hit) builder having neither the strength nor the money to take legal action. Or the defect rectification will result in a “patchwork” on the house: The developer’s goal is to do only as much as necessary and as cheaply as possible.
Haven’t we all been through this: First the euphoria of planning and moving into your own four walls! Incidentally, a loan of hundreds of thousands of euros is taken out, indebting the builders for decades – but that doesn't spoil the good mood. Everything should happen as quickly as possible, perhaps the children are screaming in the background, own contributions: no problem. Maximum trust in a mostly unknown developer. Everything at the limit – positive stress...
After moving in and paying the last installment to the developer: The first defects, more defects, or the former even worse than feared. But the developer blocks, rejects, delays, claims not to be responsible anymore, shifts the blame to the builder..... What to do? Fight, but with what strength and means? Swallow it all? But that really doesn’t work either because it’s about your own dream and the large amount of money for which we expect perfect performance, right?
We also don’t like to talk about defects in our own house because all this is somehow embarrassing and indirectly reflects back on us (“We should have seen the defects beforehand” – or something like that). You also basically don’t find powerful interest groups on the internet, do you? A lobby of the affected builders would in my opinion be the right thing to be able to take targeted action, for example against a company. But opposing this is the “huge lobby of construction companies” (e.g. associations of prefab house builders) that would be anything but enthusiastic about a builder lobby....This business is simply about too much turnover, fierce competition and: a clean image. And for a good image, especially on the internet, a lot is done... a lot.
The (lifelong) fate of many families who deal with construction defects and have to live in an (night)mare house is – except in cases of extreme shoddy construction – also not covered by the press. The topic “construction defects and fates” is strangely taboo, even though it affects so many massively and casts long, dark shadows.
Well, the rapid downfall: We have fallen from the “favored builder” (with banks, developers, tradesmen) to the small, poor wretch who desperately tries to reconcile house and life by trying to come to terms – and to swallow.
A lawyer told us this: When buying a 5,000€ car you think far more than when building a house, which involves many times more money and the next 25 years.
Courage and keep your head up!
vegas
When it comes to construction defects, we are all in the same boat. That’s why we have a lot of stress and are dissatisfied, because with the move-in we actually wanted to enjoy a peaceful life. Now we have to fight for defect rectification, emotionally feeling like we are fighting a losing battle against a developer who seems to not care about anything after receiving the last payment......This is not what we imagined, is it?
Whether it’s a “TV-reportage-worthy” construction defect or many small defects is basically almost irrelevant. The fact is that there will be no defect rectification that will satisfy us as builders 100%. We will never receive compensation for the emotional stress, the money for expert opinions and lawyers, or the loss of quality of life – probably not even an apology from the developer. The defect rectification will either not take place at all because the developer simply plays dumb and relies on the (financially hard-hit) builder having neither the strength nor the money to take legal action. Or the defect rectification will result in a “patchwork” on the house: The developer’s goal is to do only as much as necessary and as cheaply as possible.
Haven’t we all been through this: First the euphoria of planning and moving into your own four walls! Incidentally, a loan of hundreds of thousands of euros is taken out, indebting the builders for decades – but that doesn't spoil the good mood. Everything should happen as quickly as possible, perhaps the children are screaming in the background, own contributions: no problem. Maximum trust in a mostly unknown developer. Everything at the limit – positive stress...
After moving in and paying the last installment to the developer: The first defects, more defects, or the former even worse than feared. But the developer blocks, rejects, delays, claims not to be responsible anymore, shifts the blame to the builder..... What to do? Fight, but with what strength and means? Swallow it all? But that really doesn’t work either because it’s about your own dream and the large amount of money for which we expect perfect performance, right?
We also don’t like to talk about defects in our own house because all this is somehow embarrassing and indirectly reflects back on us (“We should have seen the defects beforehand” – or something like that). You also basically don’t find powerful interest groups on the internet, do you? A lobby of the affected builders would in my opinion be the right thing to be able to take targeted action, for example against a company. But opposing this is the “huge lobby of construction companies” (e.g. associations of prefab house builders) that would be anything but enthusiastic about a builder lobby....This business is simply about too much turnover, fierce competition and: a clean image. And for a good image, especially on the internet, a lot is done... a lot.
The (lifelong) fate of many families who deal with construction defects and have to live in an (night)mare house is – except in cases of extreme shoddy construction – also not covered by the press. The topic “construction defects and fates” is strangely taboo, even though it affects so many massively and casts long, dark shadows.
Well, the rapid downfall: We have fallen from the “favored builder” (with banks, developers, tradesmen) to the small, poor wretch who desperately tries to reconcile house and life by trying to come to terms – and to swallow.
A lawyer told us this: When buying a 5,000€ car you think far more than when building a house, which involves many times more money and the next 25 years.
Courage and keep your head up!
vegas