Getting apartment extras put in before completion

Hi all,
My new apt should be ready to move in by the end of the year, so I contacted the estate agent to ask about getting some extra work done before completion date, for example plumb for a dishwasher, gas fire etc. Estate agent says there is a "no change policy" in place on features.
I ask to go down and measure the place since the structure is built - estate agent says its not possible until snagging time.
I would like to get this stuff done before the apt is finished as it would be a bigger job after.

Does anyone know what usually happens in this situation? And how can I manage to get this work done? They aint budging on anything!

They said exactly the same to me. They wont even give us the measurements so we can order a sofa.


Don't think there's anything much you can do.

Your best bet is to write to the delevoper/ contractor directly and state what additional work you require and get a written quotation for having this work done. It would be normal practice that plumbing of appliances such as dishwasher/ washing machine etc would not be undertaken by the developer, so the estate agent is correct in this assertion. However if you request additional light fittings or sockets for example the developer may accommodate you, it's entirely at their discretion. A lot of developers are going this route beacuse they don't want the hassle of trying to recover additional monies due for extras at closing stage, especially if the purchaser digs their heels in about snags etc. I work for a developer and for every 9 customers who are a pleasure to deal with there's always one who's tricky! In the main though we try to accommodate customers with additional work, mostly at little extra cost, but quite often a purchaser can pull out of a sale at the last minute and with extra work unpaid for what do you do? Will the next purchaser want the neon / strobe light feature over the fireplace??

Carpenter said:

It would be normal practice that plumbing of appliances such as dishwasher/ washing machine etc would not be undertaken by the developer, so the estate agent is correct in this assertion.

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why would this be normal practice? they are plumbing for a washing machine as is.

why would this be normal practice? they are plumbing for a washing machine as is

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Not quite, they are providing the facility for you to plumb in a washing machine later, i.e. they are providing a waste outlet and connection points for hot and cold water feeds only. Delivery of the machine, unpacking, fitting in position and making the final connections are your responsibility. The reason they don't want to fit the machine is they don't want responsibility for handling the appliance and more importantly they don't want any comeback if there's a leak or other problem. The on site plumber can't be expected to be familiar with every appliance either I suppose.

I got the impression from the first post that you want to ensure the inlet/outlet pipes for the washing machine are put in? As opposed to actually installing the washing machine? I suspect these are already in place as Carpenter states above.

I have the same problem on the apartment I am buying .... we asked for them for 2 things

To get a couple of extra doors for the kitchen units as we have bought and integrated washer/dryer and an integrated slimline dishwasher

In the ensuite the shower isn't tiled it some upvc cladding which we asked just to leave it off and have it bare ready for tiling

However the foreman said that he couldn't do any as he simply wouldn't remember, but gave me contact details for the kitchen suppiers so get the doors and said the upvc cladding in the shower would come off easily

Now I was able to get onto the site last year to look at the same type of apartment we had bought before signing contracts .... walking over a trench on a wooden plank, and the ground was covered in about 4 inches of mud which I'm sure they shouldn't have allowed me to as they would have been liable for any injuries. So if you want to measure up you could get the site formans number and ask him could you go into the same type as you have purchased to measure up.

Carpenter said:

Not quite, they are providing the facility for you to plumb in a washing machine later, i.e. they are providing a waste outlet and connection points for hot and cold water feeds only. Delivery of the machine, unpacking, fitting in position and making the final connections are your responsibility. The reason they don't want to fit the machine is they don't want responsibility for handling the appliance and more importantly they don't want any comeback if there's a leak or other problem. The on site plumber can't be expected to be familiar with every appliance either I suppose.

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Sorry carpenter, misunderstanding - the apt is coming with all appliances included, fridge freezer, washing machine etc so they will be installing all that stuff anyway. The apt does not come with a dishwasher or a gas fire (my two extras i want in). I already have a dishwasher, I just want to get them to plumb for it so it can slot in when I move in. Dont know what to do on the gas fire front....

how would I go about contacting the foreman?
maybe then I could get rid of dealing with this estate agent who is less than useless anyway...

candyman said:

how would I go about contacting the foreman?
maybe then I could get rid of dealing with this estate agent who is less than useless anyway...

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I got the number of the site forman from the estate agent (Hooke & MacDonald) just rang then up and they gave it to me without question

paddyc said:

I got the number of the site forman from the estate agent (Hooke & MacDonald) just rang then up and they gave it to me without question

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At what stage of development did they give you the foremans number Paddy? 1 month to go? 6 months to go?

I have asked them for the foremans number and they say they arent allowed give it out until closer to completion (completion being about 6 months away).
damn sfitz!!

Man those estate agents!! All sunshine and lollipops until they get the deposit and after that they pretty much say no to everything..they just don't want any hassle - you try contacting the builders directly??

HI Candyman

Have you ever fitted a dishwasher, especially an integrated model? I've done it twice and it's a real pain in the ass! If the floors are uneven or cabinets a little off square it can really make for a frustrating couple of hours. Dishwashers are so compact with no room for error and the services are very hard to get at so I'm not surprised your builder doesn't want to touch it. Your gas fire will have to be fitted by a registered installer (surprised this did not come with the apartment) and must be tested on completion. Your supplier shuld be able to help with this else try www.bge.ie for a list of registered installers.

candyman said:

At what stage of development did they give you the foremans number Paddy? 1 month to go? 6 months to go?

I have asked them for the foremans number and they say they arent allowed give it out until closer to completion (completion being about 6 months away).
damn sfitz!!

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We got his number at the end of Oct and I got on site the 1st Nov which was the day we signed contracts - its due to be ready for snagging in the next 2 weeks but was originally supposed to be March and it just dragged on .... so we got his number 5 months before the original completion date

If the estate agent won't give it out you could just try going down to the site and try your luck directly with the builders

Yeah Hooke and McDonald gave us the foremans no. no bother - quite a good bit in advance of completion, and we just dealt directly with him. Think H&McD were just glad not to have to deal with all my questions! Once we had his number I don't think we had any further dealings with them really.

On my recent move we got the 'top dog's' phone number and had a meeting with him in relation to paint colour, kitchen colour,countertop, fittings, showers etc. He said no problem to any changes we wanted . In another slightly smaller house down the road they were not allowed to make any changes whatsoever. If you do get talking to the builder directly be nice to them to get what you want.

ended up heading down to the building site and talking to the foreman directly. even got to check out the tiles and the doors they are using. unfortunately couldnt get up to see the actual apt...not until i get myself a hard hat and an illuminous yellow vest anyway!

estate agents (sherry $hitz) just aint worth the effort.