Extensions

Who bears costs in delays due to design errors?

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.24 PM

I am having a big extension to build a first floor above my bungalow. My builder has come across issues with structural engineer's design. He has picked up errors in the design which means the structural engineer has to go back to the drawing board I.e. Assumption that a wall would bear the load of adding a floor above but isn't strong enough when he unearthed the foundations and Saw what walls were built from. At first, we thought it was just one issue that needed fixing but it turned out to be many more. However the structural engineer hasn't been able to turnaround a redesign quickly and there is a huge dependency on this for building to continue and ordering any materials such as steel. All in all delays are currently about 4-6weeks depending on when it gets finalised. The builder is obviously getting edgy as he hasn't got enough work on for his labourers and had booked in tradesmen such as brickies according to original plan. He has asked to review the JCT contract as the delays will cost more and any additional work required when structural engineer finalises design. In this situation, I understand any extra materials and work should be accounted for as extra but should I be liable for paying for the delays and paying wages? Is it a shared responsibility? Where does the structural engineer take responsibility in all of this? Please help! Thanks

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Heanor

You don't need to pay for this delays and wages because was not your fault and is the builder responsibility. They need to change the work schedule and all booking can be changed at no extra cost if things like that happened.

Answered24 November 2016

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