Builder changed the floor plans without notice?

Clacker wrote: ↑ Except that:

(7) A standpipe system is not required to be installed in a dwelling unit that,
(a) extends not more than 3 storeys above adjacent ground level,
(b) is completely cut off from the remainder of the building so that there is no access to the remainder of the building, and
(c) has direct access to its interior by means of an exterior doorway located not more than 1 500 mm above or below adjacent finished ground level.

Which all seem to apply to this unit. I don't think I have ever seen an individual dwelling have fire hose cabinets on each level, something is not correct here.

Drethis wrote: ↑I'm hoping we can get some clarification with this.

We bought a pre-construction house based off the floor plans in the brochure back in early 2020.
A week later after we signed the papers, the Builder showed updated floor plans, claiming that the ones in the brochure were dated, which were a huge departure from the original floor plans. We informed them that we weren't okay with the new floor plans, and we made agreed upon amendments to the floor plans. Seemed like both sides were happy at this point.

Due to COVID, construction was delayed, which came to no one's surprise. About a couple of days ago, we asked for an update from the Builder, at which point the site manager offered to show us the property in person. We were able to see the unit before drywall was put up and immediately noticed more floor plan changes were made without notice. When we asked about the additional partition walls, the site manager said that it was due to fire safety code. They partitioned each floor with more walls, to the point where each floor basically had a room. Almost like room rentals. What's worse, is that three floors had a fire hose cabinet that wasn't in any of the the floor plans. I've never seen a condo townhouse with a fire hose cabinet on almost each floor.

I've attached an image showcasing the new walls they added in pink, as well as the location of the fire hose cabinets.

Anyone know what's going on? Did they register this unit as something other than a SFH? Was the fire safety inspection done incorrectly? Or were they misinformed?

Thank you.

FloorPlan_Optimized.png

west wrote: ↑ It’s 4 storeys.

west wrote: ↑Been asked multiple times so who’s the builder?

Drethis wrote: ↑ They are a small enough builder that if the name was associated to this thread, it might show up in a Google search.

We'd like to come to a conclusion first before we blast them on the internet.

Hope that's okay.

Clacker wrote: ↑ Sorry, you're correct, I thought that ground floor one was below grade, but that was my assumption, nothing posted here would indicate it was below grade.

ZxExN wrote: ↑ Or they will realize they f-up and try to make it right before their entire business gets a bad name. Same reasons companies try to make things right when their name get blasted on the news.

ohnabatko wrote: ↑ I have the opposite view actually: I can't understand these squirrel/vertical houses where a low-level raise condo (4-6 floors) can offer the same benefits on a single-level layout (staircases + garages + storage being only common) with taking the same real-estate footprint

May be a it's time for people to look closer of what they are buying before they commit to live in Rapunzel-style towers and rationalize their choices.
At 4 floors you need elevators....and things like furniture moves and I see a lot of shouting-out between floors.

ollywood wrote: ↑Something smells wrong to me about this whole ordeal- not from your (buyer) end but most definitely from the builder. Have you tried to reach out and/or view the neighbouring units to see if the same amendments were made? Surely if this was a requirement by fire code the neighbouring units and/or unit type in other areas of the development had the same changes?

Believe it or not, we've had something similar happen with one of our family members whereas their home had 4 ft in total taking off of the width of their home (40ft to 36 ft). They delayed his visits as long as they could and only gave them inconvenient times for structural visits which they couldn't accommodate. By the time they did their first visit the brick was on the exterior of the home and the damage was done. Took the builder to court and got their compensation. They sold immediately upon occupancy but I'll never forget that story. Moral of the story; Talk to your lawyer!

Biscayne05 wrote: ↑ 4ft. I'd commit a crime. Probably put a drill in between their eyeballs.

Imagine putting your life savings and they do that.

ZxExN wrote: ↑ Or they will realize they f-up and try to make it right before their entire business gets a bad name. Same reasons companies try to make things right when their name get blasted on the news.

ollywood wrote: ↑ it was shocking.. not even the 4ft difference but the fact that they (the builder) really thought they could get away with it. You have to be a sleezy af builder to try that. Happy to say that they got compensated well for it though.

Chickinvic wrote: ↑ Dying to know, what is happening with this OP? Did you contact your lawyer?