If it's not what you want, it's not what you want..... Have them fix it for you sooner rather than later. As in while the brickies are still on site......

It says 820 but the window and door schedule (if included in plan set..) should have the exact sizes and/or type of door unit mentioning the side lights as well as the 820 door. Otherwise the door with side lights as drawn should of been enough clarification to confirm it with owner and/or builder.

Nothing wrong with letting them know they have overlooked something. It happens all the time. Just be friendly but don't accept excuses or variations. It is their responsibility. And cross check with the engineering plans before you talk to the builder - make sure there's no discrepancies in the plans.

Hi Brian,

By the look of your drawings, you appear to be correct.

Your elevation shows what is presumably glazed side panels to the Entry Door, as does the floor plan. Is it specified anywhere else in the key or doors description?

There may not be an easy fix and you might need to compromise. Do you plan to have any render anywhere to the façade, as this can possibly be done over the amended brick opening to disguise the brick cutting.

Your Builder's point may be that the side lights shown are too narrow to be possible or effective, so another option might be to leave the brickwork as it is and get a glazed door to allow more light, maybe translucent glass for privacy and suggest the Builder absorb this cost for his mistake, or go halves with him.

This is not something you can get fixed later - the longer you leave it the harder it is - speak with the Builder now. No-one likes mistakes; it's how you deal with them that makes a person's character!

Good luck.

Michelle

I would raise it with the builder. The sooner the better.

Not only will the glass panels enable you to upgrade to a larger door in the future (if you choose to do so), but in the interim they'll let much needed natural light into an area of the house which otherwise does not appear to have any windows.

Good luck!

Their response makes no sense- a budget NEVER trumps a contract and if they've failed to call out an alteration then that's also another oversight. If they've based a budget on a plan and incorrectly interpreted the plans then this too is their mistake.

Everyone makes mistakes so get on the phone with the most senior person you can so that your tone can't be taken for aggressive or difficult. Let them know you understand that everyone is human and mistakes can occur, that you feel that they should take responsibility for that error, supply you at no extra cost or penalty a budget CORRECTLY reflecting the plan as no alterations were drawn to your attention and you specifically would not approve the alteration to the door and provide a "make good" on the error by physically fixing the door (again, at their cost) while you agree to pay for the discrepancy in the cost of the door and side panels. Then confirm it in writing and also ask if they made any other amendments to the plan that you're not aware of. If they play nicely, send a thank you email. If they don't, then go through everything with a fine tooth comb (which in hindsight everyone should do as a matter of course, but it's only something we learn the hard way) and keep on top of them - also keep in mind that your final payment allows you to hold back payment pending fixes...don't trot out this if it gets nasty otherwise you could have a bad time before finishing.

Yeah, that old chestnut....

Builder's are required to quote according to the drawings. If there's a possible chance of going over budget then the amendments to get it to budget are to be documented.... so this issue doesn't happen and remember it needs council approval.....

So what do the council approved/certifiers plans say?

To change just a window or external door it needs to be approved by council/certifier, usually by a Section 96 (in NSW, if the plans are already approved). Was this done?

So if the plans are council approved then the whole thing, in my opinion, goes back to the builder - be polite, state what you want and stand firm. My take with the builder would be that they made a genuine error and now they need to fix it because not only is it a case of what has been built is wrong, they're in breach of the council approved plans.

What are they saying is written on the plan that makes the small opening correct? The only mark I can see is the door opening width which is only there to show the size of the door section - it does not indicate it is the whole door+ side windows.

I'd go back and argue that part of the job of any builder is to ACCURATELY INTERPRET PLANS AND SEEK CLARIFICATION IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS and ask why there was no clarification sought as that fundamentally goes against ethical business practice knowing that your clients are not as experienced as they are and cold potentially demonstrate a failure to act in good faith. I'd also state that I'm extremely disappointed with the level of customer service you've received. But, on the other hand - they supplied a budget with inclusions and specs (with detailed line items) so if you didn't pick it up then you might have to wear it or at least split the cost with the builder. I'd ask them for the cost, then present them with an invoice for them "misinterpreting plans" for the same amount (sometimes it pays to be cheeky). Take the time to go over everything with a fine tooth comb and nitpick every item that has even the hint of a question mark over it - they've taught you how to treat them - so indulge them - be the uptight picky client.

They are partly correct in saying 'Plans often have errors on them' however this is usually a pretty basic spelling mistake or a minor 'typo' rather than something of significance such as a door with sidelights.....something like this is difficult to overlook when checking drawings. Note: It is quite significant!

If the door in the elevation plans show the sidelights (as well as on the door schedule if one is provided) with no extra notes saying to amend to a single 820 entry door then you may have a case.

The plans may well be council approved but do those plans also say the same thing, as the building certifier may well be expecting a door with sidelights to be in place when they inspect! If it's not as shown on the drawings then where will that leave you, the builder and also the inspector......? Note: All amendments are to be noted on the construction plans.

A client recently decided to change backyard facing windows from 1200h x 970w to a 1200h x 1210w during construction. This would have not only affected the BASIX Certificate (NSW) but would have also needed to go through council for their approval in case of overlooking and privacy issues.....

Check the approved plans and specifications (against the builders inclusions) thoroughly. It could be a misinterpretation by either party but at least you'll know for sure where you stand.

It really is a shame that this has happened, building 'should' be enjoyable from beginning to end. I do hope you get your sidelights as they really will make a great entry to your new home. All the best.

Well that's something at least. I'd accept this and then say something like "I trust since the misinterpretation of the plan is by your company that the door that you had incorrectly ordered based on your misinterpretation will be credited to my account" (it's been my experience in business - not in renovation - I adore my builders - I got very lucky with them - that being a constant pain in the rear and being relentless pays off. What you do need to do now is stay on top of them and raise everything. Good luck Brian.

Thought I would add our unhappy experience with our builder. We had arranged to have timber floors added after Handover which occurred on 14 October. Our timber contractor said the floor slabs were too uneven (it's a 2-storey house). We asked Building Inspector to come out and he confirmed levels were way outside Builders' Tolerance. Somewhat reluctantly, our builder attempted to fix the slabs (twice) but they were still too uneven for timber floors. We've since had surveyors take half-metre grid measurements and have arranged for an expert to come in and fix the problem by grinding down and filling where required. Top slab is way out of Builders' Tolerance, ground floor not so bad. If the builder won't agree to pay, we'll be going to the Building Commission. It really puts a downer on what should be an exciting time. I would recommend checking everything every inch of the way and don't be put off by what a builder says - stick to your guns and demand they fix what is on the plan. Friends were supposed to have under-stairs storage, only to find it had been bricked in and builder won't fix as it's 'load-bearing'!

put a barn slider in the garage they are cool the front looks ok just get a special piece like a glass waterfall bubbles

love a mum