Evidence Preservation Report before Road Rehabilitation

Hello everyone,

we already knew that the street in our new development area needs to be repaired because the asphalt around the manholes is sinking (improperly compacted). A few weeks ago, we received a letter from the municipality stating that there would be a damage preservation procedure.

Now (yesterday) we received a letter from an expert office stating that the exterior will be documented, but the interior area must also be documented. Two appointments are being offered for this: either next Monday or the Monday after next.

Has anyone experienced something like this before? Is it normal for it to be so short notice? After all, the contract from the municipality was already signed on 01.08...

If yes, what exactly do they document in the interior area? Where do they need to go? What can/should I prepare?

Above all, the fact that this is coming up so last minute and in the 3-page letter then with terms like reversal of the burden of proof or costs if the appointments are not kept or not canceled, really annoys me a lot...

Regards,

Uwe

Hello everyone,

we already knew that the road in our new development area needs to be repaired because the asphalt around the manholes is sinking (improperly compacted). A few weeks ago, we received a letter from the municipality stating that there would be a preservation of evidence procedure.

Now (yesterday) we received a letter from an expert office saying that the outside will be documented, but the inside also needs to be documented. Two appointments are offered for this: either next Monday or the Monday after next.

Has anyone experienced something like this before? Is it normal for it to be so short notice? After all, the contract was already signed by the municipality on 01.08...

If yes, what exactly do they document on the inside? Where do they need to go? What can/should I prepare?

Above all, the fact that it is coming so last minute now and that the 3-page letter uses terms like reversal of the burden of proof or costs if the appointments are not kept or canceled, really annoys me...

Regards,

Uwe

So actually this is to your benefit. It is about documenting the condition of your house now. If damage occurs due to the work, it is easy to attribute the construction work as the cause. The company would have to prove that it was not caused by their work after all. If you do not want that, you have to actively prove that the damage is due to the work. That is the reversal of the burden of proof. It then lies with you. Well, one week is considered usual for site inspections. If that is absolutely not possible, get in touch with them.

The reversal of the burden of proof is clear to me, and also that it is to my advantage. I have already written to them about the appointment and also asked the following question, but perhaps someone else can say something beforehand: What do they want to see, photograph, and film?

Tiles, window sills, any existing cracks, etc. are being photographed. In every room.

If existing cracks are present, crack markers (two blue arrows) are placed, measured, photographed - and left there for the duration of the procedure. Before-and-after comparison.

OK, thanks for the hints. Then I am looking forward to the appointment.