Civil engineering works - higher costs

That doesn’t solve a problem but rather creates more. You need to agree.

I do have some concerns somehow... It will come down to some kind of 50/50 compromise – which I simply cannot accept, as it’s not acceptable to me that way. I continue to have enormous additional costs and a subfloor that will cause me problems afterward. So I’m really curious how this will end xD

In the end, I just wasn’t satisfied with the work. I would have given any other trade the same hard time, that’s the point. Just because he’s a friend doesn’t mean I will necessarily act differently here – the problem still has to be solved, no question.

as a favor

If no proper solution-oriented approach is sought, then the bill simply will not be paid for now - period.

So regardless of the fact that it is annoying to have a possibly unnecessary surcharge here (yes, I understand the frustration), let me tell you: if you do not change your attitude towards this, this friendship is over, at least severely damaged. Although if you "let it come to that," one must assume that it could not have been a great friendship in the first place.

So regardless of the fact that it is annoying to possibly have to pay an unnecessary surcharge here (yes, I understand the frustration), let me tell you this: if you don’t change your attitude about it, this friendship is over, at least severely damaged. Although if you "let it come to that," you have to assume it wasn’t a great friendship to begin with.

Right - it was and never was a great friendship. As is often the case in a smaller town... everyone knows everyone. Anyway, whatever - that’s not what this is about. I really care only about the service and the invoice that were provided here.

The fact is: mistakes on the part of the civil engineer – why should I pay even 1 cent for that? In theory, he can come back, remove the gravel, and refill the soil that is still lying around – topic closed. Only that would certainly exceed his budget, so he might as well grant a corresponding discount.

And even if the friendship is damaged because of it, I’m telling you: every outsider who witnessed this sees and notices very clearly that simply no proper work was done here in terms of communication, knowledge, or the like – fact.

The construction site was not taken seriously at all, as we noticed towards the end... that’s how these mistakes happened... Now I’m supposed to pay for that??

The construction site was not taken seriously at all, we noticed that towards the end

You knew that the company usually does not accept single-family house contracts, according to your description it was a favor (!) from your friend to a friend’s price (!). Due to the mentioned circumstances, this apparently became a "regular" price, annoying, yes, but not existential and not worth a legal dispute in my opinion, therefore:

Now I’m supposed to pay for that??

no, but be open to the 50:50 compromise proposed here.

You knew that the company usually does not accept single-family house contracts, according to your description it was a favor (!) from your friend at a friend price (!). Due to the mentioned circumstances, this has now apparently become a "regular" price, annoying, yes, but not existential and also not worth litigating in my opinion, therefore: no, but be open to the 50:50 compromise proposed here.

Well, we are still quite far from a regular price at the moment. Of course, you never know how it would have gone with other civil engineers – surely there are problems everywhere, but this comparison is flawed either way... The project is completed. If he accepts this contract, then I can also expect (especially for a "favor"!!!!) that this matter is handled properly. Ultimately, it certainly was not his fault, but that of his site manager and the foremen on site. As I said, I find it difficult to agree to this 50/50 arrangement here. But I will see how the conversation develops. Thanks anyway for all the responses

Just keep in mind: Even if it is his fault, a 50/50 arrangement can make sense, especially if you are still below the original price. You accommodate him, and if something comes up again, if you want to build a new house, a pool, or something else, you don’t leave any burned bridges. And ultimately, in house construction, the 3-4k EUR are not worth the dispute compared to the size of the project, as harsh as that may sound.