Site-cast concrete staircase in the contract - getting a precast concrete staircase

Hello,
we have contractually agreed that we would have a stairway cast and poured on site so that it can be optimally adjusted. This is explicitly stated in our contract, the additional cost for this is not insignificant, extra costs 6,500 euros.

Now, however, we have received a precast concrete stairway and it does not fit exactly or rather it was built around it so that it fits. We also found this out more by chance.

It is actually beyond question that precast concrete stairways are significantly cheaper and in most cases plastering is also unnecessary.

Can the contractor just exchange the stairway like this – without discussing it with us and if not, how should we behave correctly now?

Thank you,
Hilaria

Hello construction expert, so if I understand you correctly, you mean this.

2 runs (basement - ground floor and ground floor - upper floor)
the pure surcharge! for the concrete staircase is 4,500 euros with 0815 covering just 6,500, although we have not yet selected the samples here.

Regards
Hilaria

Hello,

we contractually agreed that we would have a staircase shuttered and poured on site so that it can be optimally adjusted. This is explicitly stated in our contract, the extra cost for this is not insignificant, additional cost 6,500 euros.
Taken from 2nd answer Hilaria: 2 flights (basement - ground floor and ground floor - upper floor)
the pure surcharge! for the concrete staircase is 4,500 euros with a standard 0815 covering it is exactly 6,500, although we have not yet selected the materials here.
Now we have received a precast concrete staircase and it does not fit exactly or it was built around it in such a way that it fits. We also found out this more by chance. Now it is basically unquestionable that precast concrete staircases are significantly cheaper and in most cases plastering is also omitted.

A precast concrete staircase is not necessarily cheaper; the additional costs arise here from the crane as well as the required rework. With an on-site poured concrete staircase, the manual work usually takes place before the concrete is used.

Can the builder simply replace the staircase without consulting us and if not, how should we behave correctly now?

As long as you get what you ordered - a two-flight concrete staircase including railing and covering - in my opinion, it does not matter how your builder executes this. What matters - as with everything - is that the quality is right in the end; there are neither advantages nor disadvantages with either variant. Perhaps your builder had no formwork material available and therefore ordered the precast concrete staircase. For example, we work with builders who also approach this topic differently. One always pours on site (also ceilings), another works with precast parts; so far, no problem.

Nevertheless, talk to your construction manager and make him aware that in comparable situations he should discuss this with you beforehand in the future. If he explains to you in a personal conversation the reason for a different execution - which of course must not be inferior! - you will feel more secure and involved in your construction project.

Kind regards

Well, if the [Ortbetontreppe] is explicitly stated in the contract and you pay a hefty surcharge for it, then I would at least start knocking on the [BU]'s door for a credit...