I'm posting this again under a different topic heading to see if it can generate any response here.
We have KDHW doors and windows in our new build and I found out today from the manufacturer that these are supposed to be stained the day they go up, if not before. In fact, they were installed and exposed to the elements for a couple of months before we were informed by some note in the site meeting minutes that we needed to stain them ASAP. Both the builder and the building designer were aware that neither myself nor my husband would be able to do this - my husband works interstate and I'm a fulltime carer for my mother who has Alzheimers. We are painting and tiling the house ourselves but were led to believe that this could all be done after handover. The building designer is being paid to do the contract administration on our build and between her fees and the house we are paying about $19,000 a square. Am I right in believing that the building designer should have prewarned us that the windows and doors would need to be stained immediately and, at least, given us the option of getting someone to do it for us if we couldn't, rather than putting some note in the minutes for us to read and wonder what is going on? Are there any building designers/architects on here who can comment on the professional ethics here? Or is it just a case of "stupid client - pay for your ignorance."