Missing Sink, Only Noticed after Settlement, what can I do?

LSerenixia on 06/01/2017 - 12:26

Hey Guys!

Was hoping to get some advice as I couldn't obtain a proper answer from searching on the net or by calling Victoria Building Authority.

Basically the situation is, we purchased a brand new property in July 2016 (all settled), last on the block and still has building insurance. While I was looking through the section 32 last night as I needed the dimensions of a room for furniture planning on a 3d program. I just happen to notice in the plan, the builders were suppose to install a small wash sink in the toilet on the ground floor, however this was never installed and sadly I only notices this as it was rather small in the plan in the section 32. I know the chances are small as the property has settled, but is there anything I can do to have the builder rectify this mistake?

My wife and I did notice when we first inspected the place that it was a bit odd there was no sink installed in that toilet, but we thought that might have been the design, it was certainly a negative but overall we did like the place. But now we know it was suppose to be included, feel kind of bummed about it.

Thank you guys in advance :)

Home & Garden

Comments

  • charzy on 06/01/2017 - 12:43
    +1

    Isn't a pre-settlement inspection usually the time to bring up these issues prior to settlement?
    If it's in the contact a sink is included, then yes there should be a sink, but you normally point that out prior to settlement. Post settlement I'm not too sure if you can do anything, as they claim you could've ripped it out or whatever.

    Did you ask ANYONE before settlement finished?

    • Serenixia on 06/01/2017 - 13:15

      Thanks for the reply :) Yahh I wish we caught it before the settlement, however it was really small within the floor plan for the property in the contract, so we missed it sadly.

      It's a brand new place, so the location where the sink was planned is just a wall at the moment with no work done. That's why I was wondering if there was any possibility for us to chase the builder to have one installed as per the original plan

      • StewBalls on 06/01/2017 - 13:32
        +3

        Believe it or not, this kind of shit gets missed a lot more often in a final than you would think…contact the builder, if you're not happy with the response talk to your local Fair Trading. It should be no skin off the builder's nose, he'll just get the contract plumber back to fix his stuff-up.

        As my builder says, if it's not on the plan, it doesn't exist…but it it's on the plan, it should f…ing be there! ;)

        • Serenixia on 06/01/2017 - 15:57

          Hahaha thanks! Ya I think the best way is to contact the builder first, hope he won't kick up a fuss

  • Adz81 on 06/01/2017 - 12:48
    -2

    So I'm clear… you've lived in the place for 6ish months, you like the place- May I go so far as to assume you've enjoyed living in the place…

    Now because, you've found out (by sheer chance), that something has been omitted from the build that was in the final design, you "feel kind of bummed" about it?

    By all means approach the builder, but certainly don't let it detract from enjoying your new home :)

    • Serenixia on 06/01/2017 - 13:17

      Haha thanks man, you are totally correct. We do enjoy the place. However when we have guests over, it is rather troublesome for them to wash their hands. So finding out it was suppose to be there did make us feel a bit bummed hahaha

      • Adz81 on 06/01/2017 - 13:55
        +10

        Easy fix.

        Stop having guests over, those freeloading bastards, eat all your snacks, drink your beer and mess your place up… If that hand basin WAS there, they'd be in there every 5 minutes, washing their stinking hands, using YOUR water. Better off with out it, I say.

        Also, I don't have a lot of visitors :D

        • itajac on 06/01/2017 - 14:40

          Mmmm…I wonder why? :P

        • Adz81 on 06/01/2017 - 14:55

          @itajac: Mainly because the house I live in is a real piece of shit (but for $130/week, you can't ask for too much), also because I like it that way… Even when I was living in much nicer digs, I'd probably have friends over every other month or so.

          I value solitude :D

        • Serenixia on 06/01/2017 - 18:18
          +1

          LOL love your reply hahahaha :D

  • MITM on 06/01/2017 - 12:54

    Is the plumbing there for it ? Perhaps behind the plasterboard ?

    • Serenixia on 06/01/2017 - 13:18

      To be honest, I'm not sure if there is pumbing behind the plasterboard. Is there a way to find out? As at the moment it's just a wall with no visible works :)

      • shadowarrior on 06/01/2017 - 14:26

        https://www.bunnings.com.au/stanley-fatmax-sensor-300-stud-f…

        Also, if its a new build, they do post hand over inspection after 1 year or so as well.
        In short, if its in the contract, it should be in the build. Yes you should have checked, but the build is being complete to the contract and build drawing sheet is the job of the building supervisor…not yours. That's why you are paying a company to build your house and not hiring contractors to build it yourself. Contact builder..if doesn't resolve, contact builder's authority in your state. It may not be feasible to get you the sink there, then you can claim compensation.

        • Serenixia on 06/01/2017 - 15:58

          Thanks alot for the link and suggestion! :D

  • Almost Banned on 06/01/2017 - 13:44

    Did you purchase a house that happened to be new, or did you have a building contract for a house with a builder based on plans/specs?

    • JimB on 06/01/2017 - 15:18
      +2

      This question is super relevant.

      If the former, then you have no chance of getting the builder back to install.

    • Serenixia on 06/01/2017 - 16:06

      It is the former which does make it more difficult, hence the dilemma :(. The interesting thing though, the section 32 they provided was actually the one they used for off the plan purchase for interested buyers. (But the property didn't get sold during that stage) Once the house was completed, they advertised the property again but their conveyancer was too lazy to change the details in the section 32, so it had all the building specifications in it. That's why I found out there was a plan for a sink to be placed in that toilet.

      • JimB on 06/01/2017 - 16:27

        In your case, you're not a customer of the builder (in respect to building as per the building contract).

        Of course, the builder will have to fix any structural issues for you or any owner under building warranty.

        Adding a sink isn't that difficult, provided there is water (hot and cold) and waste can be located in the wall behind the sink. If not, it can be very expensive to connect.

        • mattyman on 07/01/2017 - 12:56

          If you end up having no luck you could always go for the cistern with the sink built into the top.

          https://www.bunnings.com.au/caroma-wels-5-star-flush-profile…

        • Name on 10/01/2017 - 07:48

          @mattyman: I've thought about something similar for my place (it's a 15 year old buildings and the 2nd toilet doesn't have a sink).

          My concerns are that it would be far back and I imagine it'd be difficult to lean over for a long period to wash hands. Plus the weird factor of leaning over a toilet to wash hands.

          Anyone have one of these or used something similar? Thoughts?

        • retiredfeline on 10/01/2017 - 08:17
          +1

          @Name: I've used one in Japan. Somehow it felt right in place with the high tech warmed seat.

  • Marcsie on 06/01/2017 - 13:45

    I don't think there's much you can do now,if you really need it,just install yourself :)

  • Joney on 06/01/2017 - 17:41

    Ahhh, so you got everything but the kitchen sink…

    • retiredfeline on 06/01/2017 - 18:18

      It may not sound as good as the saying, but it was actually the toilet sink.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2017 - 18:15

    Just thank God that only a kitchen sink is missing, it is a kind of a thing that you won't mind spending money and install yourself. If it was something else than your "bummed feeling" was worth it. What you should do now is just forget about the builder and the people responsible for installing the sink. Once they have given the property away, they won't listen to you as it is totally your mistake that you overlooked it before.
    Enjoy your new home sweet home :)

  • rambutann on 06/01/2017 - 21:32

    t-t-t-talk to your conveyancer.

    I'd be asking for it to be installed as it was on the plans.

  • HeWhoKnows on 07/01/2017 - 08:02

    The builder must deliver on what the contract says. Also the builder must rectify anything not correct or faulty. You can go through Consumer affairs if you need help. Next time do a proper final inspection before making the final payment. As the previous posted said..talk to your solicitor/conveyanacer

  • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2017 - 11:20

    Keep pressing them if they refuse. I had a mate go up against one of the dodgy national estate building companies. They didn't do a good job, refused to acknowledge warranty. When they finally acknowledge warranty, friend had to watch them like a hawk to make sure they did their job. Went on for months, but got them to fix everything

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