Additional costs for changing the position of sockets

Hello everyone,

we have purchased an apartment that is still under construction as part of a multi-family house. With the notary contract, there is a floor plan with example furnishings and a construction description that includes the number of sockets per room. We have now communicated some changes to the electrical installation to the designated electrician, i.e. partially changing the position of the sockets and switches in the respective rooms. For example, switches should be installed to the left instead of the right next to the door, and sockets not behind a cabinet that we want to place there, but 1 meter to the left or right of it on the same wall. The number of sockets remains the same, consistent with the construction description. With the naming of the electrician, an electrical plan was handed over to us, which was created based on the example furnishings. Some changes to this electrical plan that we specify are now being charged at 50 EUR each, so initially 1000 EUR, and meanwhile another 400 EUR are to be invoiced to us. The costs are justified as "relocation work." The developer thought 1000 EUR was too much and agreed with the electrician on 400 EUR (actually a contract to the detriment of a third party, namely us – two parties agree on what a third party should pay). The developer does not necessarily find the term "relocation work" appropriate (we consider it nonsense, since nothing is being relocated because it does not exist), but justifies the invoicing with "logistical and scheduling effort." We were there for 1 hour on one day and otherwise communicated by e-mail. Charging 400 EUR for that is simply outrageous. From our point of view, there is no effort at all and apart from the number of sockets, nothing was recorded in the notary contract – the example furnishings on the floor plan are part of this contract – but can it be derived from this that the position of the sockets/switches must be as someone at some time thought up without any sense or reason?
Is it worth starting a legal dispute over this?

Thank you very much for opinions/responses.

Good evening,

The developer justifies the charge with "logistical and scheduling effort." We were there for 1 hour on one day and otherwise communicated via email. To demand 400 EUR for that is simply outrageous. From our perspective, there is no effort at all, and apart from the number of sockets, nothing was recorded in the notary contract—the example furnishing on the floor plan is part of this contract with the floor plan—but can one conclude from this that the position of the sockets/switches must be as someone, at some point, has thought up without sense and reason?

I would not call it "without sense & reason," because there is definitely methodology, and it only marginally has to do with the fact that you invested 1 hour.

In multi-storey residential construction—here a multi-family house—the positions of the sockets are predetermined in advance. This is because the appointed electrician can simply "work through." If individual positions change now, the electrical plan must be changed, and he or his employees must work deviating from the original plan. I could also imagine that the electrician tries in this way to improve his margin somewhat in his favor; which is legitimate to a certain extent.

Therefore, from my point of view, it must first be clarified what information the notary contract or the construction description provides about the procedure for deviations from the standard. Only then can a binding statement be made.

Is it worth starting a legal dispute over this?

In my opinion, no; because you have to hire a lawyer. This lawyer costs money (probably comparable to or more than the €400.00), and in the end, such disputes often end in a settlement.

Rhenish regards

Thank you for the response,

some outlets were positioned behind wardrobes. This is not particularly sensible.
The developer (he created the electrical plans and provided them to the electrician) does not charge for the change of the electrical plan. My parents are architects and have created the new electrical plan themselves (professionally on the computer!). The electrician received it and only has to replace the old one with the new one. (He himself did not create an electrical plan but received the finished one from the developer). The apartment is on the 3rd floor and currently only the ground floor is completed. So nothing needs to be moved, as nothing is built yet. And everything is billed at 50 euros without VAT – whether the position of an outlet is changed by 1m or 5cm – everything costs 50 euros without VAT.
Would it make sense if we contact the notary with whom we signed the purchase contract?

The notary doesn't really care. You bought what was stated in your contract. If your electrical plan was not part of the contract, then you ordered as specified by the developer. Therefore, you now have to pay for changes. The amount is, in my opinion, too high, but now it's a matter of take it or leave it. Completely removing electrical services will probably also cause you extra effort.

Good evening,

Would it make sense to contact the notary with whom we signed the purchase contract?

No, the notary merely put the "paperwork" on a legal footing for you and the seller; he is not responsible for the construction description.

I am becoming increasingly curious... what did you buy, where, and at what price? Did your parents check the contracts or possibly a lawyer?

Rhine regards

Depending on the developer contract, you can be glad to be allowed to intervene in the planning at all.
400 € may be painful at first, but I would just pay it now. That will be the cheapest option in the end.

Alternatively, if still possible: Take the plastering and wallpapering work out of the contract, and have the sockets moved later.
Chiseling slots and drilling boxes can be done yourself, which saves some money.
I assume the developer will be little enthusiastic about losing the interior construction work, because that is where most of their profit comes from in the first place.