Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 15, 2013 9:03 pm SUMMARY: building house - damaged (deep scratches etc) spa bath - am I entitled to getting it replaced? If not, what is a reasonable resolution? Can these things be repaired?
Hello. We have our PCI on Monday 17th and handover on Thursday 20th. Stopped by the house today, and was lucky enough to have some tradies on site so we walked through the house for a quick look. Everything has been cleaned and it was really exciting.. except when we got to our ensuite. We have a spa bath in the ensuite, ie basically a big rectangular tub with jets. This was our biggest splurge item by far and something we agonised over for weeks before finally deciding to take the plunge and just go for it. The spa bath itself was closer to 3 grand (we supplied it ourselves) and we have to pay another 5 grand to extend the ensuite etc to fit it. So at 8k it was really quite a lot of money, but at least we get something really really nice and exciting. I should also clarify that I have some back problems, so I have been dreaming for a long time about the handover so that I can have a spa bath Haven't even had a normal tub for some 5+ years. ANYWAY, when we provided the spa bath (at the time specified by builder), it was flawless. Really nice and covered in plastic to protect it etc. Very quickly we realised how they did not treat it very nicely. They removed the plastic and it quickly got filled with crap etc. We tried to give them the benefit of the doubt and thought we were probably overreacting due to emotional attachments, but one day after they had started doing internal walls, it was splattered in plaster (or whatever it was). I tried to get it off but it was impossible, basically felt like it was superglued on. At this stage I emailed the builder office with pictures attached and asked them to please clean it up and make sure there is no permanent damage before the build went any further. I also asked them to please take better care of it and if they could please put a sheet of plastic or something over it. Never really got any response to my concerns, but a few days later it had been cleaned. I assume removing the plaster would have taken off a bit of the top layer of the bath, but I couldn't see any definite damage. Not entirely convinced there was no damage, but decided to let it go as it looked OK from what I could see in the dark. If someone knows whether a standard acrylic spa is treated with something and would have permanent (although not immediately visible) damage from taking a thin layer of the top, that would be very useful information. Some time later, it was covered dirt again, but nothing too major so I didn't bring it up (they didn't put any protection over it). That was the last we saw the spa for a while as the house reached lock up. Recently we managed to have a walk through the house and we noticed that the spa was now covered in crap again. I could not see the bottom of the spa due to cardboard boxes and empty energy drink cans etc. Not happy. As this was very recently though, I figured I'd wait until it is cleaned and I'll have a closer look. SO today was the day when they had cleaned up the entire house and it all looked very flash. Except for when we entered the ensuite and I immediately saw a dirty spot/area in the spa. It looked brown (compared to the rest of the white spa) because it was covered in scratches and they obviously didn't manage to get that spot clean due to this. I understand that accidents happen, but I am just really upset over how disrespectful they have been to the spa throughout the entire build. Can't even classify it as an accident either, it's amazing it is not damaged even more (and it might be for all I know). Considering we basically paid 8k in total to get this spa, we expected a lot more care to be taken, and it has just really killed the excitement for us. So on Monday we have our PCI and I will have to bring this up with the site supervisor. But what is a reasonable resolution to this? I'm really upset and I want a new spa. I paid for a brand new spa, not a scratched up miscoloured one, and I don't see how it can be fixed. The problem of course is that the spa would be about $2400 to replace (since they don't need the frame etc), not to mentioned that it is completely tiled in as these things are, so I assume it is going to be a very costly affair that they will try and get out of in any way that they can. I also assume they they will give it a second round cleaning, using more abrasive products and possibly being able to clear the brown out of the spa, making it look nicer (but probably causing more hidden damage in the process). What rights do I have in this situation? The obvious answer is that I should get a new spa, but am I legally entitled to this or are there certain conditions that they builder can meet to satisfy their requirements? ie if they claim the spa is fully functional and just has some minor superficial scratches, do I just have to suck it up and deal with it? Doesn't seem fair as this is completely their fault and could very easily have been avoided. I will try and upload some photos after Monday, but please give me some advice on how to approach this issue with the builder during our PCI. EDIT: to keep it in perspective, I understand that it probably not is as bad as I make it out. Admittedly we are emotionally attached to the house as you get after the long and stressful period of building a house. So keep that in mind maybe when offering advice. EDIT: photos! Original condition upon arrival. Spotless: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Splatter damage and general condition: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Current condition (ie as of a few days ago before cleaning). This will also give a good idea of the work involved to replace it: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I will upload a photo of the current damage on Monday, I don't have any photo of it at the moment. Re: Handover approaching - damaged spa bath - what to do?? 2Jun 15, 2013 9:12 pm Do you have pictures of it before it was damaged. I wouldn't pay your final installment till your happy with the out come. I would be insisting it be repaired or replaced Re: Handover approaching - damaged spa bath - what to do?? 3Jun 15, 2013 9:22 pm Wazza78 Do you have pictures of it before it was damaged. I wouldn't pay your final installment till your happy with the out come. I would be insisting it be repaired or replaced How would a bath be repaired though? I don't really know much about these things. If they scrub it really clean with something abrasive, is that "fixed" then? In other words, is the bath solid throughout with no different layers, so that taking off a few mm of the top is an normal and acceptable fix? Re: Handover approaching - damaged spa bath - what to do?? 4Jun 15, 2013 9:22 pm I agree with the above. Stand your ground and make them do something about it. Building the Ascot 35 with Carlisle Homes in Pasadena Estate, Clyde VIC My build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=59776 Re: Handover approaching - damaged spa bath - what to do?? 5Jun 15, 2013 9:46 pm That's terrible tompab. Can I ask what builder you are building with just out of curiosity? I think you definitely have the right to expect an item you provided (especially an expensive one) to be treated with respect and care right up until handover. And it's not like you didn't let them know once you noticed, you did and nothing was done. Definitely bring it up with the supervisor and don't let him/her brush you off. My Hamptons build (completed): viewtopic.php?f=31&t=63370 Moved in Wednesday 11th Dec 2013 Front landscaping completed June 2016 Re: Handover approaching - damaged spa bath - what to do?? 6Jun 15, 2013 9:52 pm I have uploaded photos to the original post. Would be great with some feedback regarding the state of the spa during build as we personally don't feel like they have been very respectful (but maybe we are overly sensitive, I don't know)
EDIT: googling, and the first result to repairing acrylic bath is using sandpaper and then liquid polish. So I assume the bath is solid then and this is probably what will happen then instead of getting it properly replaced.. maybe that is an acceptable fix if that is what people do, I don't really know. Sounds a bit harsh to the bath and I'd be worried about permanent hidden damage. Will google more. I mean, hopefully they'll get a professional in to do it properly and not a DIY sand paper job, but the same principle. Maybe I'm overreacting after all. I suppose if it CAN be fixed, that would mean we'd have it sorted instantly instead of several weeks for ordering spa and then god knows how many weeks to get it installed etc. So much stress.. Re: Handover approaching - damaged spa bath - what to do?? 8Jun 16, 2013 11:10 am Unfortunately, this is going to be one you have to fight. During your meeting, raise it, tell them you want it rectified to an as new. When you get home from your meeting. Email the builder, cc'd to the owner of the company if they are not the same person and just confirm that you want it rectified to an as new condition. Everytime they call you about it, email them straight after the phone call and say "just confirming out discussion... blah blah blah. You need everything in writing is what I'm getting at. Let us know how you get on It's hard to comment as the photos area bit dark ( you might need a new 15 - just got one and wow ) Jokes aside, I can see one member that is cracked. I would find a… 2 1633 3 3234 Bathroom renovation will likely include a back-to-corner bath and we’re considering a freestanding tap with hand-held shower such as the picture included. My hesitation… 0 22702 |