Building house - Gutted

kelasen on 08/04/2015 - 09:01

Hello

I need some help, i am building this house and have found this (http://i.imgur.com/Dbrd8hs.jpg) (a big void between kitchen bench top and corner wall) while doing a peep in inspection and here is the actual plan (http://i.imgur.com/mbvu5Zq.jpg). I know it has been built as per the plan which was suggested by the builder's agent and was officially approved/signed off by me but it is looking shockingly bad.

My question is what should I do? I have contacted the builder's agent & have sent him the photos now he has stopped answering my phone. If i go to the builder or site supervisor i think i will be told that it has been built as per the plan.

Any suggestions during this stressful time are welcomed :-)

Home & Garden

Comments

  • djones145 on 08/04/2015 - 09:11
    +5

    its built per plan
    they could have made the cupboards bigger but it would have mean the bench top would have to be bigger (so you still have room to sit there)
    would have increased the costs and also reduced the room

    its tough to notice when you first look at it (did tech design in high school so i could kinda see it)

    guess u can ask the builder to board it up or you can think about placing things there (maybe a small shelf) like wifi's or modems or things u rarely use

    • Musing Outloud on 10/04/2015 - 12:22
      +2

      I agree, and in terms of stress I think it best is for OP to consider this an opportunity to make use of and not a negative. This opportunity theme seems to be the response of many repliers below who have ideas for alternative uses for this space.

      I'd suggest OP saves their emotional energy for working through the builder's error rectification list prior to sign off before handover.

      Unfortunately there are always two types of errors on new builds and extensions. Design oversights like this one, which will cost OP to rectify since OP signed off on the plans. The other sort are builder's errors, for which the OP has the power to hold up on the sign off until rectified. The trick is to identify which errors are which.

      Good Luck OP!

    • nikey2k27 on 12/04/2015 - 13:30

      pop some shelf you store wine or router in there not big deal if real get to u pop a board over it.

  • blerk on 08/04/2015 - 09:26
    +40

    Builders are not interior designers, they followed the specs and they delivered the specs. I really don't think you have any recourse to get them to 'fix' it without it costing you an arm and a leg as it would be a retrofit job.

    Suggestions: Put a little cupboard door in and have a hidey hole, adds quirky character. Use the space to store the vacuum cleaner. Build a wine rack there, nice and cool and out of the way. Electronic cable storage area? A cat would love to hide in there. Store a collapsible high chair in there so it is near the meals area. Put a small false wall in there and extend the skirting board to the bottom of the breakfast bar (but I worry that this will be even more of an eyesore and creates an unusable cavity).

    Once you put a couple of stools at the breakfast bar it will be much, much less noticeable.

    • sparkles on 08/04/2015 - 09:38

      Agree, once you put the stools there you won't even notice that space. I'd be more worried that the little hidey hole gets finished off properly. I think extending the plaster would look strange and putting in a small cupboard or shelves or storing something there would draw attention to it.

      • dazweeja on 12/04/2015 - 14:53

        Draw attention to the fact that you're making innovative use of otherwise useless bits of space in your home?

        I'd actually put a little cupboard door in there that looked like it belonged there. There's plenty of things that could go in there, eg. the manuals and warranties that come with all your appliances/gadgets, cleaning products, plastic/green bags, etc. Or the wine rack idea is really good too.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2015 - 16:17
      +19

      Wine rack x1,000,000,000

    • Cluster on 10/04/2015 - 03:34
      +13

      I like the idea of a wine rack. Or a place for your cat to hide. If you don't have a cat, get one.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 10/04/2015 - 11:34
      +22

      Rent it out?

      A Japanese family of four could live quite happily in there.

    • This Guy on 10/04/2015 - 11:35

      Sorry, I missed the upvote.

    • captobvious on 11/04/2015 - 19:52
      +1

      Got a kid? Looks like an awesome timeout corner

      • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2015 - 00:39
        +1

        +1. I always needed a place to get some time out, away from the parents when I was a kid.
        ;)

    • Jackson on 12/04/2015 - 00:02

      Try to make it a cupboard, but I would use a handle free/push open door. Only issue is that those types of closers often don't work if your door is too small.

  • CheapandUsed on 08/04/2015 - 10:15
    +4

    I think you could get one of those boxed wine rack type things and fit it in there, make the space usable and you will forget ever thinking it was an issue.

    Something like this is what I mean:
    http://www.bunnings.com.au/kaboodle-150mm-antique-white-wine…

    Although maybe no good if you have kids around the place.

    • abovethelimit on 08/04/2015 - 10:42
      +4

      I had a very similar issue, took it to the builder who sternly said that I signed it off even though I repeatedly said that I didn't notice it. He was going to charge me north of 3K for the fix up job which I wasn't very keen to proceed. I got creative, took the measurements and off to bunnings for a friendly chat with the guys on what I could do with the space. And lo and behold as what cheapandused and others on this forum suggested, bunnings recommended I use that space for wine rack or to store plastic bags etc. I went off with the wine rack idea and it wasn't an off the shelf fitting. I had to get a carpenter mate of mine to purpose build a wine rack in that space and all up it cost me 550$ including materials.

      So, if your builder doesn't budge, get creative and put that space for a good use. I am sure you will find something for that space. This is part of the fun in building a frkn house and you have an opportunity to put your finishing touches to it. Good Luck.

  • AMLagonda on 08/04/2015 - 12:01

    Make a cupboard out of it, if you can get a matching door the same as the kitchen made up.

    Why they didnt build/design the kitchen cupboards up to the corner is beyond me, could have been an extra one in the kitchen.

  • konazz on 08/04/2015 - 12:04
    +2

    I'd go with a wine rack. Being close to the floor, and not in any direct sunlight would be great as there won't be too much temp variance.

    Otherwise, get a carpenter to install a small cupboard with slide out rollers (so you can access the WHOLE area).

    EDIT: Funny thing is, the builder could have easily saved some cash, by just blocking off that section, and created more internal space for less materials (ok, maybe a bit more for the shelving - but it'd be cheaper to bump the shelves out to the wall, rather than having the nice material showing under the bench top.

    • mskeggs on 08/04/2015 - 12:33
      +8

      Agreed, I can imagine the builder going, "Jeez it would be much easier if we could just block this bit off. I suppose the owner wants it for a wine rack or something."

  • mskeggs on 08/04/2015 - 12:32
    +3

    I guess I'm not sure what is making you feel gutted.
    Building a house is a complex process, and here is a tiny detail that was overlooked.
    It would be a few minutes work to board it over and skim it with plaster if the idea of a small cupboard is abhorrent, but of course, that will cost money if the plasterer has finished and you need them to return.. I can't tell if the wall has been painted yet from that photo, but if not, you will likely be unable to detect it once a coat of paint has gone over.

    If you have no other issues with the build you are truly remarkably lucky, as I don't think I know of anyone who has done a build without it getting contentious over quite often major items.

    • kelasen on 08/04/2015 - 13:06

      Thanks mskeggs.

      I have'nt had the pre-inspection yet (scheduled for tomorrow) so not sure what other issues are in pipe line. Yes the walls have been painted already (final handover is scheduled for next week).

      Will raise it tomorrow in pre-inspection to see what they come up with.

  • shadowarrior on 08/04/2015 - 13:42

    Pretty minor (non existent) problem that one IMO compared to what people face when building houses. My handover is this 14th and I have dozens of minor ones like these. It teaches me on what to look out for, what to check and study plans more carefully when I build my next house :)
    Put a concealed speaker there for some music.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2015 - 14:04

    As stated above. In the absence of much else amiss, pretty minor and a potentially useful nook.
    If not for you, then maybe for someone else.

    Do you have any small pets? They love a nook.
    Place to play, hide, sleep, retreat to, /from vacuum cleaners, /from irritating large & small humans.

  • 2ndeffort on 08/04/2015 - 16:24
    +3

    As others have said, if that's the worst that happens you are doing OK. 12 years ago when we built our house, at the final inspection/handover day the builder managed to getup the courage to tell me that they had forgotten to put the insulation I had paid for into the walls!

    • konazz on 09/04/2015 - 17:50

      … wow!

      What did they do?

      • 2ndeffort on 09/04/2015 - 19:54
        +2

        I threatened to have them pull all the walls down and fix it but realistically I couldn't afford to wait for another couple of months. They ended up doing some extra things like bifold doors, concrete back patio etc to the value of the stuff they forgot!!

    • Cluster on 10/04/2015 - 03:32
      +3

      Which walls, interior or exterior? When I had my house built 3 years ago I watched the building process like a hawk every day. Made sure the interior wall sound insulation was put in as specified. The time period between insulation going in and gyprocking being completed was just three days. Blink and you miss it.

      • 2ndeffort on 10/04/2015 - 14:31

        Exterior, they put in the tinfoil stuff required by the building code but I had paid for additional insulation well beyond that.

    • p1 ama on 10/04/2015 - 17:27
      +2

      Well, on the bright side, at least they told you. If they hadn't, it would have been a lot of wasted time chasing it up, going to court (possibly) and even the chance you won't notice it.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2015 - 16:27

    My mother re did her kitchen recently, and had an identical gap. Same size, same place, identical. She asked the cabinet makers to install a cupboard door there, and now it is a good place to store the vacuum cleaner.

  • WesthamAreMassive on 09/04/2015 - 08:48

    Any good planner should know they have to fill the whole space unless you told them to leave the space. I would argue it out a bit but how far can you take it im not sure

  • garmel on 09/04/2015 - 11:15

    Talk to the kitchen people if possible. It would be fairly simple to push the back of the kitchen cupboards back to meet that wall. The end panel of that bench would need to be extended too. Then replace the bench top, if it's laminate it won't be too expensive & extend it out to have the breakfast bar.
    It might cost a little more but will look better in the long run. In my experience kitchen people are a little more sympathetic than builders & I have built 3 houses.
    Good luck

  • BuyoTheCat on 09/04/2015 - 11:41
    +25

    In Melbourne CBD, that would be listed as a study

    • johnno07 on 09/04/2015 - 15:00
      +18

      In Tokyo it would be sold as a family home.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2015 - 12:17
      -1

      The only people who live in Melbourne CBD are students from the Orient.

  • stemcell on 09/04/2015 - 19:19

    No issue, its bonus space and if I was the builder I would charge you for it!.

  • Cluster on 10/04/2015 - 03:43
    +2

    As someone who has been through the whole house building process, I know how you feel. It's the most expensive item you'll ever purchase. You want it to be perfect, and when something isn't quite right it can be distressing. However trust me when I say that you'll forget about it quite quickly. There'll be so much work to do in and around your new house that a relatively minor issue such as this will quickly seem insignificant.

  • cowiie on 10/04/2015 - 07:40
    +2

    Don't freak out! Relax. This is an easy fix, just drywall that bit up and run the architrave across. Void gone 😀

    EDIT: even better, build a small cupboard, wine storage etc.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2015 - 09:09
    +3

    If this is the worst of your problems you have done really well!
    I ended up getting leaking gutters, cracked paint, loose taps, and much more. The builders talk back when you report the problem during inspection, or pretend they will fix it and then ignore you. Its also bad to know that our problems are even tame compared to others.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2015 - 12:14

    Secret storage compartment awaits!

  • Thenarrator on 10/04/2015 - 13:25

    Everyone is saying its built per plan? Its not built per plan.. plan shows 90 degree wall

  • keepa on 10/04/2015 - 13:41

    If the builder or cabinet maker had any decency they would have immediately pointed it out to you and they could have quite easily come up with a better solution.

    Looks like the overhang of the bench is around 300mm from the plans so they could have added another 300mm cabinet below where the sink is so back of the cabinets finish flush with the wall in that void. The bench wouldve finished flush with the wall and you could still have your overhang from the corner. Now you also have the issue of the skirting board running around that corner so any mods you make will need to take this into consideration.

    Talk to your builder and see what you can come up with together, maybe arrange for the cabinet maker to also be there at the same time. Other wise consider the following options:

    1. Go see another cabinet / kitchen maker / handy man to take a look at it for your and match the same material / colour that is on the back of the cabinets or to either close it up or install another cabinet there with shelves.

    2. If you're handy, check out Ikea as they have good cabinets. You can buy a carcass for relatively cheap and modify to your requirements. A 30cm base cabinet will set you cost you from $50 depending on if you buy a door or just leave it as shelves. Shelves would be better because of the small size. http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/S99880980/#/S8988…

    I'd go the Ikea option if discussions with your builder break down. I've found their stuff to be cheaper than Bunnings Kaboodle and I build my whole laundry out of Ikea cabinets, floor cabinets are easy to assemble / install and if you have the right tools you should be able to modify the width to suit your needs. A 3 or 4 tiered shelf would be perfect and shouldn't set you back that much.

    Just dont get sucked into the cabinet maker or builder charging you excess amounts of dollars for a fix.

    Good luck.

  • mightyfes on 10/04/2015 - 14:43

    Lean a painting against it if you're hip. Hide things behind said painting.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2015 - 15:18

    Foam board the space (don't leave it empty due to risk of vermin) and plasterboard the wall to extend to the bench. If they are tightarse enough to charge you for it, it shouldn't be more than $300. You could even install a popout door to use the space as storage for illicit goods in case of a surprise search.

  • Fluffmeister21 on 10/04/2015 - 17:20

    I would think of it as a bonus, Wine rack will be epic there!

  • Pterodactyl on 10/04/2015 - 20:27

    A wine rack would be great, or put some shelves there for your cook books.

  • smpantsonfire on 10/04/2015 - 22:50

    Any storage space is good space I say. Looks meh, but yeah, you can make the most out of it easily.

  • destruction on 11/04/2015 - 12:28

    If that's your biggest problem with your new I house I would be happy. I'm a carpenter and I have had to fix up serious issues with new houses.

    • tonyjzx on 22/04/2015 - 21:34

      this is like someone buying a car and find out one of the speakers doesnt work

      its not a big deal

      you havent seen some REAL stuff ups… i mean stuff ups that needed a 100 ton crane to fix

  • MessyG on 11/04/2015 - 14:28
    +1

    I'm with you OP, I would be really annoyed by that and I don't think it's right to expect a lay person to sign off on designs that use a set of rules unique to the industry. That's really poor form.

    As others have said though, if nothing can be done, consider it s bonus-storage space. I don't know if you bake but it looks like the perfect spot to put large baking and muffin trays that never seem to fit anywhere. A pull-out wine rack would be amazing too.

  • h0mbre on 11/04/2015 - 17:07

    Probably just poorly detailed by the architect, do you have a section or elevation?
    At the very least it should have some kind of a false panel and the skirting should have continued over it.

    Yes you can say their is some onus on the joiner or the builder but they have seemingly constructed as per the drawings. I'd be hitting up the designer first, especially if you paid for the design.

    If the joiner is still on site, see what the builder can do for you, it won't cost that much.

  • Logical on 11/04/2015 - 22:18
    +1

    i'd be more worried about that laundry layout… apart from accommodating 2 internal swing doors, it barely has space to accommodate the washing machine and tub.

  • subywagon on 11/04/2015 - 22:55

    It looks as though it has been built per plan? I don't think there is anything you can do. You can't blame the builders. The plan states 300mm O/hang, and the dotted lines seem to match the cabinets. If I were you I'd do as others have suggested and put a cupboard or wine rack in there.

  • cantstanzya on 12/04/2015 - 11:57

    If the biggest problem you have with your new house is it being built to spec then you're laughing.

  • Randxyz123 on 19/04/2015 - 13:02

    Wine rack or if you have a cat he/she would love that area.

    If you don't have a cat adopt one :)

  • Kevan2 on 22/04/2015 - 21:39

    Try this for extra info http://www.renovateforum.com/faq.php goodluck

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