Bauhaus concrete villa with core insulation - experiences

Either you have known the guys for a long time or have had a lot of time and/or luck in your search.

has already hinted that the attitude of a client characterized by appreciation and fairness can help to find craftsmen of a different quality than the supposedly inevitably usual jerks. In addition, it makes it easier to find quality by not searching for materials, methods, etc., with counted tenths of cents.

100%! I also see our craftsmen as partners and not as lackeys. After all, they are building my home for the next many years. I am often consulting on the [AN] side and know this too well. You never feel more motivated to do a good job than when the [AG] treats you like serfs in the Middle Ages. And although we are still moving in the construction sector, it is in the suit-wearing or at least turtleneck sweater business.

But even then, the search really becomes a gamble if you are not from the industry.

I believe it is a combination of several things.
- local craftsmen (where possible), partly personally known
- some craftsmen work regularly with my (friendly) architect
- fair payment (can you still say that with these prices)? No haggling over the last cent but "letting them live".
- being on the construction site daily, personal contact, sometimes offering a cigarette...
- many craftsmen know each other from other projects
- appreciation and interest in their work. Not just Swabian (not complaining means enough praise) but really praising when it turned out well.
- no legalistic nitpicking
- I like to have things explained to me

Fortunately, I was/am so flexible with time that I have been involved in a lot of planning. Even though someone was actually paid for that. So I can have a say in many things or ask the right questions.

I am familiar with the work of most trades. These are done just as well. But maybe they enjoy this project and give a little bit more.
With the Swiss, the chemistry was right away good. It was simply the right feeling and the quality was beyond any doubt.
Some trades don't usually build on single-family homes either. But they would certainly carry out smaller projects like this.

I have a case in the family with a general contractor. That was rather a complete disaster. Everything went wrong. In the end, the general contractor became insolvent...
For us, it was always clear that we would build with individual contracts. It doesn’t work any other way for such a project.
Since I also do a lot myself and get my hands dirty, I am probably more likeable than if I were on the construction site in a suit and tie.

Once I was at the shell construction where the workers were just having a smoke break. It was immediately a good conversation starter. They also didn't mind when a few days later I smoked a cigar with a buddy on the garage roof...
Overall, it is a very relaxed relationship. The workers know they can always approach me. I don’t yell at anyone if something goes wrong but rather we look at how to solve the problem.
My ladder is also very popular with the workers. As long as they put it back, I have no problem with it.

On our construction site, you can also communicate in German (okay, some wouldn't count the Swiss for that).

Some trades normally also do not work on single-family houses.

You mean because of features that are rather common in commercial construction or clearly not mainstream in single-family home construction like the bituterrazzo?

Since I also do some work myself and get dirty, I am probably a bit more likable than if I were on the construction site wearing a suit and tie

Ditto. I always think of the scene with the teacher couple in identical rain jackets in the movie "What Doesn’t Fit, Is Made to Fit"

Have already heard from several sides that they have never had a client who was so deeply involved. Especially with more exclusive buildings, the client rarely enters the construction site...

Anecdote from today. We had a partial acceptance of the floor. The boss was also there. He thanked us for the quick settlement of the down payment invoice. Apparently, that is not so common. I said that I also wish for timely execution, the money earns (almost) no interest, and therefore I don't have to unnecessarily exploit the payment term. In return, they completely adjust the floor sanding to us.

A few orders were sealed with a handshake. In some cases, the contracts were later formally completed.