Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Nov 10, 2021 9:38 am Hi all, after some advice, we have had some issues with doors and windows at front of house bowing out and not sealing, we are currently in dispute resolution and the builder has come back and said that because we installed aftermarket solar panels, that this has caused bowing, internal walls to be out, bricks and concrete to be cracked and now voids our 25 year structural warranty and we are responsible for any rectification works. We had told them at at sign up we were installing solar panels and were assured that it was fine, and that they themselves were installing solar panels to support the HWS. Has anyone had any experience with this or could offer advice, anything would be appreciated Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 2Nov 11, 2021 8:41 pm that is not true at all, solar panels are very light, not sure the best way to progress but start with technical details on panel to arrive at an additional static load in kg/m2. Then an engineer or lawyer Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 3Nov 11, 2021 9:51 pm Pulse that is not true at all, solar panels are very light, not sure the best way to progress but start with technical details on panel to arrive at an additional static load in kg/m2. Then an engineer or lawyer Completely agree. Solar panels are light and spread over a very large area. They won't be causing any issue. Solar HWS is different because you have a heavy water tank in one small footprint, but PV panels won't be causing structural issues. It sounds more like slab heave (movement from below) than weight on the roof. Your builder is reaching in order to palm off what they know is going to possibly be an expensive repair for them. I'd be engaging a structural engineer or a qualified building inspector to start documenting exactly what is happening and put the builders on notice that you aren't going to fobbed off by their excuses. There are some very good posts on this site that document how different ones have gone about addressing structural issues with their builds. Do a search and even get in touch with the OP's for more specific advice. All the best. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 4Nov 12, 2021 7:11 am chippy Pulse that is not true at all, solar panels are very light, not sure the best way to progress but start with technical details on panel to arrive at an additional static load in kg/m2. Then an engineer or lawyer Completely agree. Solar panels are light and spread over a very large area. They won't be causing any issue. Solar HWS is different because you have a heavy water tank in one small footprint, but PV panels won't be causing structural issues. It sounds more like slab heave (movement from below) than weight on the roof. Your builder is reaching in order to palm off what they know is going to possibly be an expensive repair for them. I'd be engaging a structural engineer or a qualified building inspector to start documenting exactly what is happening and put the builders on notice that you aren't going to fobbed off by their excuses. There are some very good posts on this site that document how different ones have gone about addressing structural issues with their builds. Do a search and even get in touch with the OP's for more specific advice. All the best. Thanks Pulse and Chippy, I agree, they are palming off responsibility. Corinthian doors came out and said the door frame wasn’t installed properly, and A &L windows are bowing out because their aluminium frame is too light gauge for the distance required. I have signed documents from Eight Homes that they will rectify these issues, l went to DBDRV because 12 months went passed and they weren’t even bothering answering my messages. Now they are getting pissy and taking a hard line. I will also contact the solar installation guy and get letters from them in support Thanks for the advice. Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 5Nov 12, 2021 7:38 am just get the structural engineer. And ask the builder to have theirs come out and provide a written report too. If their engineer says its the solar panels, it will be great, because any independent engineer will debunk that on a napkin. Its laughable. Dark matter scientist, can breathe underwater, mind reader and can freeze matter just by willing it. Trust me, its in my sig. Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 6Nov 12, 2021 7:56 am Noname just get the structural engineer. And ask the builder to have theirs come out and provide a written report too. If their engineer says its the solar panels, it will be great, because any independent engineer will debunk that on a napkin. Its laughable. Thanks Noname, Great idea. Will do exactly that, appreciate it Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 7Nov 12, 2021 8:16 am RavenX Hi all, after some advice, we have had some issues with doors and windows at front of house bowing out and not sealing, we are currently in dispute resolution and the builder has come back and said that because we installed aftermarket solar panels, that this has caused bowing, internal walls to be out, bricks and concrete to be cracked and now voids our 25 year structural warranty and we are responsible for any rectification works. We had told them at at sign up we were installing solar panels and were assured that it was fine, and that they themselves were installing solar panels to support the HWS. Has anyone had any experience with this or could offer advice, anything would be appreciated That "excuse" is laughable. Your builder is having a lend of you I note they have really, really bad reviews and that this sort of behaviour seems to be the norm Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 8Nov 14, 2021 9:22 am Althom RavenX Hi all, after some advice, we have had some issues with doors and windows at front of house bowing out and not sealing, we are currently in dispute resolution and the builder has come back and said that because we installed aftermarket solar panels, that this has caused bowing, internal walls to be out, bricks and concrete to be cracked and now voids our 25 year structural warranty and we are responsible for any rectification works. We had told them at at sign up we were installing solar panels and were assured that it was fine, and that they themselves were installing solar panels to support the HWS. Has anyone had any experience with this or could offer advice, anything would be appreciated That "excuse" is laughable. Your builder is having a lend of you I note they have really, really bad reviews and that this sort of behaviour seems to be the norm I know, they pay $100 for 5 star reviews, unfortunately didn’t find that out until after we signed. I have since found out after going to DBDRV that every issue “within tolerance” and they try and bleed money out of you to prove it’s not in tolerance, but collecting info from others in similar circumstances and discussing a class action. I am happy to dig my heals in and take this all the way. Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 9Nov 14, 2021 12:46 pm What is and isn't in tolerance is clearly documented in the guide to standards and tolerances. The minimum standards are also documented in the NCC. Both these documents are free. You don't need to be bled to defend your position, you just have to be informed enough to be able to articulate a cohesive argument. Those documents do 70% of the job for you. Dark matter scientist, can breathe underwater, mind reader and can freeze matter just by willing it. Trust me, its in my sig. Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 10Nov 14, 2021 3:00 pm RavenX I am happy to dig my heals in and take this all the way. Don't quote/use noname (wordsmith) as your expert witness in court (humour) It won't get past His name, qualifications and experience ..... the judge will reply " DISMISSED" Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 11Nov 14, 2021 3:06 pm StructuralBIMGuy RavenX I am happy to dig my heals in and take this all the way. Don't quote/use noname as your expert witness in court (humour) It won't get past His name, qualifications and experience ..... the judge will reply " DISMISSED" Bim boy - why would anyone? Your comment is superfluous given those services aren't on offer, kind of like your unsubstantiated claims of being an engineer. Stop smoking drugs, they make you stupid (if that's even possible at this stage). Just another one to file under "poor comprehension" That category is getting pretty thick. Might have to come up with another one. Perhaps this: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kinda accurately represents like 80% of stuff that comes out of your pie hole, hey? Dark matter scientist, can breathe underwater, mind reader and can freeze matter just by willing it. Trust me, its in my sig. Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 12Nov 14, 2021 3:14 pm Kinda like when you make these types of conflicting statements Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ So you use a less capable (your own words) program by choice? Do I go and pull the post where you make the claim of property increases going up 20bucks per square meter per year because you don't know how to perform simple maths? Or do I pull out the posts where you make claims that fb/meta are trying to get in in the housing market? Legit fruit loop. Dark matter scientist, can breathe underwater, mind reader and can freeze matter just by willing it. Trust me, its in my sig. Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 13Nov 14, 2021 3:16 pm Kinda feel like I should make a "superedit" which amalgamates all your rubbish co.ments into a single Image and just post them to all the threads you participate in so people can make an informed choice about how they feel about you? Hmmmm Dark matter scientist, can breathe underwater, mind reader and can freeze matter just by willing it. Trust me, its in my sig. Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 14Nov 15, 2021 10:28 am Noname What is and isn't in tolerance is clearly documented in the guide to standards and tolerances. The minimum standards are also documented in the NCC. Both these documents are free. You don't need to be bled to defend your position, you just have to be informed enough to be able to articulate a cohesive argument. Those documents do 70% of the job for you. Thanks again Noname, l appreciate your guidance in this, anything that helps us support our case is a bonus. I have downloaded the NCC and will be going through to find the required references soon enough. Cheers mate Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 15Nov 15, 2021 10:50 am RavenX Noname What is and isn't in tolerance is clearly documented in the guide to standards and tolerances. The minimum standards are also documented in the NCC. Both these documents are free. You don't need to be bled to defend your position, you just have to be informed enough to be able to articulate a cohesive argument. Those documents do 70% of the job for you. Thanks again Noname, l appreciate your guidance in this, anything that helps us support our case is a bonus. I have downloaded the NCC and will be going through to find the required references soon enough. Cheers mate Please post back the References for others as the NCC is free all the other structural codes listed Costs Money (Hint) Anything with structures in the title ie As 1720 Timber Structures requires a structural engineer. hth Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 16Nov 15, 2021 2:46 pm Please post back the References for others as the NCC is free all the other structural codes listed Costs Money (Hint) Anything with structures in the title ie As 1720 Timber Structures requires a structural engineer. hth[/quote] Will do, cheers Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 17Nov 15, 2021 3:39 pm Noname What is and isn't in tolerance is clearly documented in the guide to standards and tolerances. The minimum standards are also documented in the NCC. Both these documents are free. You don't need to be bled to defend your position, you just have to be informed enough to be able to articulate a cohesive argument. Those documents do 70% of the job for you. You have given him 70% of nothing which is nothing (humour) HTH Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 18Nov 15, 2021 6:46 pm StructuralBIMGuy Noname What is and isn't in tolerance is clearly documented in the guide to standards and tolerances. The minimum standards are also documented in the NCC. Both these documents are free. You don't need to be bled to defend your position, you just have to be informed enough to be able to articulate a cohesive argument. Those documents do 70% of the job for you. You have given him 70% of nothing which is nothing (humour) HTH Do you even read the sh.it you write mate? Dark matter scientist, can breathe underwater, mind reader and can freeze matter just by willing it. Trust me, its in my sig. Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 19Nov 22, 2021 11:58 am RavenX Hi all, after some advice, we have had some issues with doors and windows at front of house bowing out and not sealing, we are currently in dispute resolution and the builder has come back and said that because we installed aftermarket solar panels, that this has caused bowing, internal walls to be out, bricks and concrete to be cracked and now voids our 25 year structural warranty and we are responsible for any rectification works. We had told them at at sign up we were installing solar panels and were assured that it was fine, and that they themselves were installing solar panels to support the HWS. Has anyone had any experience with this or could offer advice, anything would be appreciated Hi ravenX I suggest you engage a building inspector who can help you identify the cause of the defect. It’s unlikely that the solar panels caused the defects. Even then, it is worth exploring whether or not the Builder is estopped from denying liability if they knew right off the bat that solar panels were going to be installed. In any case, you may, additionally, consider engaging a specialist construction lawyer in your area who can assist you during dispute resolution proceedings. Cheers, John Get sound legal advice. We manage Building Disputes, Construction Contracts, Security of Payment. PM for queries. https://www.contractsspecialist.com.au/articles/ Re: Solar Panel and structural warranty, 20Nov 23, 2021 5:51 am Thanks John, wouldn’t l need a structural engineer or would a building inspector suffice? They are definitely trying to pass the liability back to their customers, l am now aware of many other clients and they have used similar tactics to not fix their below par work. A couple of us are gathering names, details and are discussing a class action against Urbanedge/Eight homes, so a lawyer is definitely on the cards at this stage. Cheers I suggest you engage a building inspector who can help you identify the cause of the defect. It’s unlikely that the solar panels caused the defects. Even then, it is worth exploring whether or not the Builder is estopped from denying liability if they knew right off the bat that solar panels were going to be installed. In any case, you may, additionally, consider engaging a specialist construction lawyer in your area who can assist you during dispute resolution proceedings. Cheers, John [/quote] Assuming you've modelled the TB8, TB10, TB12, TB2 & J1 joists/LVLs there, it appears as per drawing to me. There maybe should be an additional J1 between TB10 and T12 if… 3 31820 interesting situation what happened after builder issued final invoice? did you list as defect or not does the building surveyor have any responsibility? ie. issuing… 13 46960 |