Is this normal? 2 inches off wall

[VioletG]

Hi,

I am having my kitchen done, old 1900 property. I came home to discover the wall had been covered in plasterboard, losing 2 inches of the wall. I can about live with that but I have lost my window sill. Now all there is the window sill within the wall.

My heart sank as I am restoring the house and this is the original window.

The wall wasn't in awful condition, why would they do this rather than skim?

I can't ask them to rip it all off now. Thankfully it's only one wall.

 

[opps]

I would be inclined to ask them to remove the old window sill and fit a deeper one. The sill is normally an add on to the window casement. I have not (personally) come across a window casement that sits on the sill.

 

[VioletG]

I would be inclined to ask them to remove the old window sill and fit a deeper one. The sill is normally an add on to the window casement. I have not (personally) come across a window casement that sits on the sill.

Thank you. I will have to otherwise it's going to look ridiculous. Just the window sill flush with the wall looking like a lump of wood sitting in there.

I wish they had asked me first. Previously builders have just skimmed the walls, so I was surprised to see two inches gone and the sill with it.

 

[opps]

https://www.travisperkins.co.uk/window-boards/redwood-window-board-pattern-s207-unsorted-32-x-225mm-finished-size-27-x-215mm/p/155110

That was the first link I came across. Where the sill meets the window there is a groove. If they can't find a sill of suitable depth, they can just purchase stock timber, cut it to size and use a router to create the window groove and the bull nose finish on the front face. It is a pretty trivial job for a reasonable carpenter. Ideally, the front edge will extend past the plasterboard face by about an inch either side of the opening and have the same bull nose profile returning to the plaster.

As a guestimate, I would say that to remove the old one and machine/fit the new one would be an hour.

Photos would help others with more experience than me to advise further though.

 

[VioletG]

https://www.travisperkins.co.uk/window-boards/redwood-window-board-pattern-s207-unsorted-32-x-225mm-finished-size-27-x-215mm/p/155110

That was the first link I came across. Where the sill meets the window there is a groove. If they can't find a sill of suitable depth, they can just purchase stock timber, cut it to size and use a router to create the window groove and the bull nose finish on the front face. It is a pretty trivial job for a reasonable carpenter. Ideally, the front edge will extend past the plasterboard face by about an inch either side of the opening and have the same bull nose profile returning to the plaster.

As a guestimate, I would say that to remove the old one and machine/fit the new one would be an hour.

Photos would help others with more experience than me to advise further though.

Here is a photo. I'm pretty gutted about it as I am trying to keep all the original features. That sill has sat there for 120 years.

I don't really understand the thinking.

 

[Koolpc]

Your house, your decision. You need to tell them the way you want it. Its not their house after all...

 

[VioletG]

Your house, your decision. You need to tell them the way you want it. Its not their house after all...

Yes you are right. I think I tend to be too passive and get stressed out. I need to tell them to fix it.

 

[opps]

I have no idea why they used plasterboard but I wouldn't consider losing a painted timber window sill and replacing it with another timber (not MDF) sill as being a big loss.

I would however ask them how they will return the edge of the plasterboard into the window reveal. Hopefully they will use an angle bead and skim up to the window.

I would be inclined to ask them what else they plan to do.

BTW. the plasterboard wall, does it return to the floor? If yes are they going to fit new skirting boards?

 

[VioletG]

I have no idea why they used plasterboard but I wouldn't consider losing a painted timber window sill and replacing it with another timber (not MDF) sill as being a big loss.

I would however ask them how they will return the edge of the plasterboard into the window reveal. Hopefully they will use an angle bead and skim up to the window.

I would be inclined to ask them what else they plan to do.

BTW. the plasterboard wall, does it return to the floor? If yes are they going to fit new skirting boards?

Thank you. It is down to the floor and kitchen units will run along it so no skirting. Perhaps that's why they put the plasterboard there so the wall was level. But there units there before.

 

[Notch7]

Here is a photo. I'm pretty gutted about it as I am trying to keep all the original features. That sill has sat there for 120 years.

I don't really understand the thinking.


View attachment 358527

When they decided to bring out the wall by 50mm they knew the windowboard was going to no longer work, so they should’ve removed it before doing the plasterboarding.

Judging by the fact they’ve trapped the windowboard in now, looks to me as though they are hoping to “get away with it”.

Ask them politely but firmly why they brought it out by 2” and also what they expect to do with the windowboard…..to correct it they need to cut it out and replace with a board that projects beyond the face of the plasterboard by 25mm or so

 

[VioletG]

When they decided to bring out the wall by 50mm they knew the windowboard was going to no longer work, so they should’ve removed it before doing the plasterboarding.

Judging by the fact they’ve trapped the windowboard in now, looks to me as though they are hoping to “get away with it”.

Ask them politely but firmly why they brought it out by 2” and also what they expect to do with the windowboard…..to correct it they need to cut it out and replace with a board that projects beyond the face of the plasterboard by 25mm or so

Yes exactly. Surely anyone would know it wouldn't look great, so perhaps they hoped I wouldn't notice or care.

I'm not paying extra either. Hopefully it will be fine.

 

[foxhole]

Was there no discussions about what you wanted from them?

 

[VioletG]

Was there no discussions about what you wanted from them?

Well yes in regards to taking down a suspended ceiling, and putting in the kitchen. No discussion at all about plastering the wall.

 

[cdbe]

All I can assume is that the wall was 40mm out - not at all uncommon in old properties.

 

[Notch7]

Hopefully it will be fine.

I know you might not like confrontation, but please have a polite word and say you would like the windowboard replaced so it has the normal 25-40mm projection and 50mm horns

they might argue thats an extra, but they shouldve discussed bringing the wall out by 50mm first and given you the option, they didnt, so its their problem now

tradesmen do tend to just want to get on and not be held up, so there are occasions when they make a decision so they can carry on -but they should have discussed it with you, even if after the event.

most customer - tradesmen disputes are lack of communication rather than any deliberate attempt at poor workmanship or charging more.

I hope you get it all sorted to your satisfaction