Roof interior insulation incorrectly executed - major damage caused

It is not my job as a layperson to check the work of the professional. At that time, I was 28 years old and had two children aged 1 and 3, was on the construction site myself every day. I worked and studied. So no, there was no time to check the professional. Sorry, I can only smile about that right now.

It is not my job as a layperson to check the work of the professional. At that time I was 28 years old and had two children aged 1 and 3, standing on the construction site myself every day. I worked and studied. So no, there was no time to check the professional. Sorry, I can only smile about that right now.

That was by no means meant as an accusation. I myself am still quite naive about many things (even though I was twice your age at the start of construction). That is exactly why I wrote: "Why don’t 'laypeople' hire a paid expert for supervision who speaks for the builder?" and I am always amazed how few do so, even though that is usually the biggest expense of their lives. My contribution was also, or especially, intended as a suggestion for fellow sufferers. Wishing you much luck and success with the renovation, perhaps this time accompanied by expert assessment?

I think it should not be necessary to hire an expert for roof insulation if you commission a local craft business that has also been recommended to you. I don't know anyone who would have hired an expert for something like that. We did most of it ourselves back then, but we didn’t dare to do the insulation because it is so prone to errors. In hindsight, we probably would have done it better ourselves because I would have read up on it in detail and would have certainly noticed it then.

It is not my job as a layperson to check the work of the professional.

On a human level, you have my unconditional agreement on this. What I unfortunately had to learn very, very quickly during the house construction is that if you don’t do that, you are definitely at a disadvantage. I could write a book about what went wrong, was done incorrectly, and unprofessionally. And when I think that no one else besides me raised objections AND would have done so, then I am glad to have been one of the "uncomfortable" builders. By now, I read up on every major work package to understand what is happening, how it is happening, and how I as a builder and owner can still influence the quality.

The story with the roof and the insulation has actually been going on for a while. We first suspected something in 2019 and then had drywallers and roofers come. In the end, they agreed that it was only a limited damage because two staple needle openings were not sealed. We let it dry out and then closed it up again. Despite endless calls, the roofer never showed up for the promised roof inspection, and we then thought it was okay and dry and left it at that. Back then it was only 2 years ago – does that matter at all?

A specialist lawyer can of course answer you much more concretely – I believe it will still be very difficult. 2019 would not be a problem, but unfortunately you did not make a defect notification back then. Maybe the episode somehow helps to prove fraudulent intent, if one could argue that at the latest then the drywaller should have noticed that he had built it incorrectly.

What exactly was offered/invoiced by the drywaller?

The problem is: If you rely on professionals, you are abandoned. But how are we as laypeople supposed to know about that? You just have no chance to notice something like that – and if at all, then too late.

I'm sorry for you, but it really is like that: supervising or accepting something without an expert on construction matters is suicidal as a layperson. At the latest in 2019 you should have brought someone in, because neither the drywaller nor the roofer are/were impartial.

A specialist lawyer can of course give you a much more concrete answer – I believe it will still be very difficult. 2019 would have been no problem, but unfortunately you did not file a defect notice back then. Maybe the episode somehow helps to prove deceit, if one could argue that at the latest by then the drywall installer should have realized that he built incorrectly.

What exactly was offered/billed by the drywall installer?



Sorry for you, but it really is like this: accompanying or accepting anything without a building expert is suicidal as a layman. At the latest in 2019 you should have brought someone in, because neither the drywall installer nor the roofer are/were impartial.

I’ll copy the relevant part of the invoice here, without names and figures. Nothing else is stated in the invoice.

"Removal of the existing drywall cladding including substructure and mineral wool.
Transport and disposal of construction debris including landfill fees.
66.60 m² doubling up of the beam structure with 40 x 60 mm dried squared timber.
66.60 m² supply and installation of thermal insulation between rafters in the roof slope area.
Insulation material: insulation between rafters, clamp fleece Integra, WLG 032, 180 mm.
66.60 m² Intello, moisture-variable vapor retarder.
Proper installation of vapor retarder and windproof layer on the underside of the rafters, windproof bonding.
46.93 m² under-rafter clamp fleece supplied and installed in the substructure.
WLG 032, 30 mm
46.93 m² roof slope cladding gypsum board, wooden substructure,
1x 12.5 mm gypsum plasterboard GKB
Mount substructure according to DIN 18 181 made of wood, mounting the substructure to the beam structure with suitable fasteners.
Clad gypsum boards onto wooden substructure.
Filling work by the client.
Gypsum plasterboard (GKB) 12.5 mm
3.00 pieces Covering reveal of Velux windows.
16.00 linear meters gypsum board facing shell, supplying and mounting the substructure as knee wall.
4.78 linear meters gypsum board facing shell clad with gypsum plasterboards.
1.00 bag joint filler 25 kg, including 1 roll joint tape.

But I stand by it – applying for an expert for every job is neither necessary nor customary. It would be even worse if I had to pay not only the high craftsmen costs but also expert fees to supervise the master company. By the way, the invoice states "Master company for acoustics and drywall."