builder builds two car garage that won't fit two cars

[Demovictory9]

[brewens]

1. The blood center I'm retired from built a bus barn too small. You had inches in front and back

between the doors when they closed. They rigged tennis balls so you crept forward until they just touched the windshield to know when you were in the right spot. I'm surprised that's not a fire code violation. FD guys couldn't move around in there at all if there was a fire.

That was the HQ and I only worked out of there during training, so I didn't have to mess with that much. My bus was parked outside at the small site I worked at. I think they built that bus barn right before everyone went to longer busses and they didn't anticipate that.

[mnhtnbb]

2. Standard garage these days is 24'x24'

if you want to fit anything other than small cars into it. It takes 20'x20' just for two small cars.

That couple ended up with a garage depth of 16' because of the water heater placement. Typical builder BS. If you're looking at new construction, always carry a tape measure with you to verify as built size of plans or promotional materials.

[jaxexpat]

12. And NEVER let a lamebrained excuse from a site foreman be the last word on your concerns.

Builders will start very nice and polite but ramp up to aggressive, dismissing your words, very quickly. Read your contract carefully and if you can spot a clause that supports your position quote it to them while they stare at you open-mouthed or go to their car and drive away. When you go into contract, write any additional conditions or definitions you require onto the document and have all parties initial the changes prior to signing. This will get the judge's attention and probably curb his decision to your favor when/if the terms are violated. Tie any variance from the plans or quality of work issues to definitive monetary deductions from the contract price. Let the suffering begin AND (hopefully) END at the time of signing. $$$$

The best is to have an attorney representing your interests, with experience in construction, review the documents prior to signing or simply write your own contract. But if the attorney seems loathe to modify the existing contract language, walk away from him. He probably works FOR the builder in his real life. $$$$

You can also take a small demo hammer and a camera when inspecting during construction. When installed/framed walls don't suit you and they don't seem to want to make it right, photograph it and just knock it down or put a hole in it. (You may want to take a burly friend with you during inspections.) Once the finish, trim and paint is dry you're pretty much going to own it whether you like it or not unless your attorney gets involved. $$$$

Good luck with these criminals who hide behind "conventional" wisdom, standardized contracts and an "I know construction and you need me" attitude. They are NOT your friends. They are persons scheming to succeed in a cut-throat business where the difference between their profit and a devastating loss could be as simple as an unlucky weather event, materials delivery failure or a careless subcontractor who can never seem to speak English when discussing serious issues. Their go-to position in the case of customer dissatisfaction is absolute denial. The cost of any generosities they may seem to show you are already covered in the contract price you pay. $$$$

[viva la]

3. My second car only fits if I come in at an angle.

Wide enough, but not long enough.

[Demovictory9]

7. yikes

[viva la]

9. Backing out is harder than driving in.

I've only had a couple scrapes so far.

[doc03]

4. A 16 foot garage? One of my neighbors has

a 1970s Caddy that is 19 1/2 feet. I can't figure why they would mount the water heaters on a shelf in the garage.

[marble falls]

5. It's not the location of the water heaters, it's the fact the garage is too short even without ...

... the water heater.

Why it's set off the ground ...

Are water heaters required to be raised off the floor?
[Search domain howtolookatahouse.com] https://www.howtolookatahouse.com/Blog/Entries/2018/6/are-water-heaters-required-to-be-raised-off-the-floor.html
An open flame close to the floor, like the pilot light in a water heater, can set off an explosion and subsequent house fire. FVIR Water Heaters Exempted But, even with the requirement to elevate any source of ignition up above the floor, numerous house fires continued to be attributed to the gasoline fume ignition in the garage.

[Pinback]

8. Thanks for the link. Useful site. (nt)

[doc03]

19. They could get 2 Smart Cars

Makes sense I have electric never delt with gas.

[marble falls]

20. And still have room for two more Smart Cars.

[Random Boomer]

6. No surprise: Dan Ryan

One of the shoddiest and corrupt home builders in the industry.

[mac2766]

10. When a construction company builds 1,000 homes in a 10 acre sub-division,

they need to save space where they can.

[samnsara]

11. people really park cars in garages?

[Chainfire]

13. The blame is misplaced

It is the architect that is to blame, not the builder. The builder builds to the measurements provided by the professional.....

[Timewas]

14. I disagree

Although the architect caused the problem it is up to the builder to determine if the dimensions are correct...I spent 40 years building homes and one thing we always did was figure things like that out as we built the model homes...

[Mopar151]

15. Architect?

On a Design/Build Co. job? The whole point of "design/build" is to keep those pesky Architects out the way!

For those unfamiliar, an architect is traditionally employed by the owner, and, once the design is approved, acts as the owner's agent while dealing with the construction companie(s). This can go as far as auditing contractor invoices for errors, along with seeing that the building is proceeding AS PLANNED, and that any changes or "clarifications" are carried out properly.

[Chainfire]

16. Who do you think signs the bottom of the drawings?

At least where I live, it is not the builder with the AIA stamp on the bottom of the plan of design, unless of course that he builder is also the architect. If the plans are drawn with a 16' garage, the concrete crew will form for a 16 foot garage, the carpenters will frame the walls for a 16 foot garage, and the building inspector will sign off on the 16 foot garage. If the work is changed from the plans, it has to go through a redesign and permit review. If the 16 foot garage doesn't work, the builder will be suing the architect. If the builder deviated from the plan then the homeowners will probably sue the builder and the innocent architect.

The sub-contractors, who actually do the building of most new homes, go by the approved plans.

[Mopar151]

17. What planet do you live on?

Design/build uses a tame "in house" architect to stamp plans. There is no audit or oversight, except for local "building inspectors".

My sister is an AIA, who works around an Ivy League college. Currently the in-house for a major student/college housing company.

[marble falls]

21. And don't forget "value engineering", which almost never originates with the architect ...

... or the fact that architects use modules to design spaces. I bet $20 that the dimensions on the design don't agree with the as-built drawings.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

22. I wouldn't be surprised if the water heaters were supposed to be inside the living space.

Maybe the builder changed the plan to have an extra/larger closet.

The inspector isn’t going to care or notice if the plans are altered to move the w/h as long as the codes for garage water heaters are followed.