Shed Builder Wants Me to Install Downpipes

TheBardsTale on 07/11/2022 - 08:53

Hey everyone,
I got my shed built about 2 months ago (side note, it took them more than 12 months to get started). The company that built it told me that I need to instal 2 downpipes in order to meet some regulation/inspection checklist or something similar. I went to bunnings and the 2x down pipes, couple of brackets and 2x L shaped downpipes would come to around $150.

Am I being ripped off by the shed company? Shouldn't it be their responsibility to instal the downpipes? Or is this common practice?

Basically I'm asking if this is something I overlooked in the contract where it was my responsibility to instal the downpipe, or are they trying to save some money by getting me to do when in reality it is their legal obligation.

Thanks in advance.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 07/11/2022 - 09:02
    +1

    Was the contract to erect the shed only?

    Is the shed on the boundary with a neighbour? Perhaps the water run off will flow into their property and you need to prevent that.

    I assume the shed required a council permit?

    At the end of the day I have no idea but just floating ideas.

    • TheBardsTale on 07/11/2022 - 09:04

      Hi thanks for the message, I'm not sure about the contract, I'd have to check.
      The shed is about 3m from our neighbours fence, and probably 10m from their house I guess.

      Basically I was just trying to see if the builders are trying to save a couple of $$$s by getting me to do the hardwork. For example, if I built a house and the builders told me to install the door handles myself, I know that would be dodgy but I wasn't sure if this scenario is dodgy as well.

      • newbo on 07/11/2022 - 09:35
        +1

        They do it for water tanks

      • brendanm on 07/11/2022 - 09:41
        +12

        I'm not sure about the contract, I'd have to check.

        Surely it is common sense to check what your contract says, before asking a bunch of strangers on the internet?

          • Daniel Plainview on 07/11/2022 - 10:35
            +6

            @TheBardsTale: His point isn't valid?

            You even state yourself:

            I'm not sure about the contract, I'd have to check.

            Maybe instead of being sarcastic with total strangers who merely point out that YOU have bypassed the most obvious and ONLY REAL solution to your issue - you do the simple stuff first and read the contract?

            Otherwise we're literally all guessing and the actual answer is right before you.

            • TheBardsTale on 07/11/2022 - 13:39
              -3

              @Daniel Plainview: It's not helpful when he's the 5th person to say check the contract. Thank you to the other users though.

              • Daniel Plainview on 07/11/2022 - 14:09
                +1

                @TheBardsTale:

                It's not helpful

                If the criteria is 'whats helpful' perhaps look at your actions first?

                Yes, he was the 5th+ person to say this - with many more after him saying exactly the same thing as it was incredibly obvious to seemingly everyone other than yourself.

              • brendanm on 07/11/2022 - 14:27

                @TheBardsTale: What's your address? I'll come around and read the contract for you.

      • lolz112 on 07/11/2022 - 09:46
        +3

        It'll be in the contract that the downpipes have to be installed independently. Not 100% sure but pretty sure this is due to needing a licensed plumber to connect into the storm water system. The shed builders won't have the license so they need to get someone else to install. I doubt that you installing yourself will meet the code either.

  • Seraphin7 on 07/11/2022 - 09:07

    Were the downpipes on the agreed building plan?

    • TheBardsTale on 07/11/2022 - 09:09

      I'm not sure, but I guess by your question that my scenario isn't odd? For example, this isn't similar to an electrician asking me to install light switch covers myself. THe builders aren't just trying to save a couple of $$$s by getting me to install the downpipes myself.

      I've never had a shed built so I didn't want to be taken advantage of.

      • Seraphin7 on 07/11/2022 - 09:18
        +4

        Any building contract will stipulate what is/isn't included either by description/plans or by specific inventory. If it's there it's there, if it's not it's not.

        Simply asserting "you think" it should be included is not going to get you anywhere.

        That said, there are no shortage of somewhat shady operators out there who conveniently leave things out of contracts that they know should be included.

    • apsilon on 07/11/2022 - 11:04

      Assuming it's a permanent structure and not one of the tiny Bunnings tin boxes just sitting on grass it should've went through approval so not only should it have downpipes, they should be connected to storm water. As there was no mention of an inspection I'm guessing it's not a "legal" build so no plans etc. IMO normal for plumbing not to be touched by a builder as a plumber will be required for the stormwater connection anyway. Wouldn't cause too much of a fuss or the builder themselves may dob you in to council.

  • Caped Baldy on 07/11/2022 - 09:17
    +1

    How big is the shed?

  • Daniel Plainview on 07/11/2022 - 09:18

    Others have said it but CHECK THE CONTRACT.

    A shed is a shed - it doesn't have to have downpipes installed - but where you want it presumabely it does - so if it's not stated in the contract it's likely not included.

    Worst case scenario, play secret shopper and call the company pretending to be a new customer and after you chat for a while about the model you want as them if they come with downpipes or is that owner's extra costs?

  • MrHyde on 07/11/2022 - 09:22

    We recently had a small shed built and installed. It did not require council permit as it was less than 10m2 and height was below council requirements.

    We were still provided with a design as part of the contract that clearly laid out everything - skylights, door handles, location of everything with respect to the property, materials used, type of concreting applied, etc. So; if downpipes are not in the design; then not part of what the shed builder committed to.

  • Prong on 07/11/2022 - 09:26

    Ask them for the specific regulation, and then check if it applies. You can also look up the specific shed rules for you state.

    If downpipes or wording about water runoff etc are not in the contract, then it is on you to pay if needed. That may be normal practice, if the regulations for downpipes don't apply to everyone.

    Certainly good practice on their behalf would be to have let you know up front. Good practice on your behalf would have been to check the shed regulations in your area up front.

  • JIMB0 on 07/11/2022 - 09:38

    So it has gutters that just fill up and overflow? Are you going to connect the down pipes to the storm water system?

    • Donaldhump on 07/11/2022 - 10:51

      the gutter would have outflow holes / penny drops surely, otherwise just piss through overflow holes.

      OP should have this in their head before hand though and have plumber lined up.

  • Donaldhump on 07/11/2022 - 10:42

    whats in the contract, this should clearly say what they are building.

    all shed roof space required down pipes to storm water system or a rubble pit if on tank water for council approval, and in the best interest of your slab.

    the irony is my shed building had down pipes installed when i didnt need them as i put into a tank, but they had to do it. the second they left i unscrewed them

    and seriously you are worried about $150 after spending what 10-30k on a shed?

  • Drakesy on 07/11/2022 - 11:39

    Roof plumbing is a grey area, strange one though given you need to downpipe the shed. Generally sheeting onto your property could work provided you're surrounded by highly permeable soil/grass. If you have paving or land that is likely to drain into a neighbour then yes, you'll definitely go the downpipe option, possibly even soakwells if your ground is bad (clay etc.) this would all be stipulated as part of the council's stormwater management policy (roof areas would need to be direct connected into soakwells etc.)

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