Roof structure problems with the carpenter

  • Erstellt am 2011-07-12 18:08:05

Bob75

2011-07-12 18:08:05
  • #1
Hello forum members!
I am currently in the middle of the construction project for my own home. Most of it is being done on my own. With the roof structure, this was not possible for me as I do not have sufficient experience in this area.
I had the work done by a carpentry company, which I do not want to name here.
I was extremely dissatisfied with the work itself, which is why I am currently in a legal dispute with them.
However, before I spend thousands of euros on an expert report, I would like to hear your objective opinion on whether the executed work (see pictures) is within the tolerance range.
I believe that there was shoddy work done in many places (poor materials, incorrect angles, too large gaps, missing nails on the roof gable, etc.).
Since I am unfortunately not an expert in this field, I ask for your help...
Thanks in advance for hopefully numerous comments!


 

E.Curb

2011-07-13 17:30:05
  • #2
Hello,

are you sure that was a carpenter? He really messed up there.

Whether and where the carpenter really has to do rework now and to what extent you can reduce invoices etc., I cannot say from here, but you should still get an expert.

I don't understand the picture with the flying rafters. Is the outer one really supposed to stay like that?

Regards
 

friedrich27

2012-01-15 09:18:40
  • #3
So let's say it like this, it doesn’t look good. I suspect that was hand carpentry, possibly even on the construction site. A computer-controlled joinery system commonly used today would have produced better results. It’s probably clear overall that he is a bit of a "cobbler". So you should take a closer look at the whole thing.

However, I only see 2 problem cases in the pictures (unclosed ridge joint and quite thin support at the purlin for the flying rafter).

Since the whole thing is a purlin roof and the rafters don’t have to support each other as they do in a rafter or collar beam roof, the unclosed joint is not technically a big deal. You won’t be able to do much about that. Visually, of course, it looks bad.

It’s different with the flying rafter bearing. The purlin there is very weakened in the bearing area due to this "neo-Gothic" profiling (is that even nice??). From a gut feeling, it will still hold. But you need to ask a structural engineer about this.

However, I want to warn against a legal dispute. While it is basically correct, as written above, to get an expert opinion, this is then a party expert opinion and will not be considered in court. The judge will initiate an evidence preservation procedure and commission an expert. But you have to pay the costs for this in advance just like the court and lawyer costs. Whether you will get everything reimbursed afterward is uncertain.

If you have no more to add than what is visible so far, it would be better for you to bring in a structural engineer and carry out another site inspection together with the carpenter. Then you all three record the remaining work to be done in a protocol. All three of you sign this protocol and the carpenter then carries out the defect remediation. I think the carpenter will also choose this route.

Good luck and regards, Friedrich.
 

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