Condominium - Purchase from developer with special requests

Hello,

we are facing the decision to buy a condominium from the developer. During the upcoming detailed planning, it turns out that the trades (heating, electrical) will be subcontracted. That means the basic package of installations is clarified in the developer contract, everything else is done directly through the craftsmen. So 2-3 additional sockets can be purchased directly from the electrician. The developer contract is of course vaguely written.

However, one reads here and also in other forums and guides that one should definitely avoid negotiating directly with the craftsmen. Because that is where the additional costs lie and everything is marked up. There is also a legal problem since these subsequent special requests are not included in the notary contract. However, the developer said that he still provides the full 5-year warranty on this. Nevertheless, one would be committing tax fraud.

Anyway. If everyone knows that one should not do this, why does this and other developers always offer it?

I have negotiated and planned all special requests directly with the special request coordinator of the developer. That was anything but cheap...

So 2-3 more sockets, buy directly from the electrician.

Under certain circumstances, this might even be the better arrangement for you, since then there is one less person asking for money.

I see no legal issues. You have a contract with sum X with the BT (probably rather a GÜ). Anything beyond that has nothing to do with the original contract and are just separate contracts between you and the executing trades.

However, one reads here and also in other forums and guides that one should definitely avoid negotiating directly with the craftsmen.

I've read that too... it’s about the warranty... Craftsmen offer a two-year warranty, for the apartment via the developer it’s five. After all, you are concluding a contract for xy sockets with the craftsman.

That’s where the additional costs are hidden and everything is marked up.

No, definitely not. The additional costs are with the developer, who charges very well for this extra mediation and work (breaking down items in the invoice). You can read that up to three times what the craftsman charges directly...

There is also a legal problem because these subsequent special requests are not included in the notarized contract.

No. Ordering special requests from the craftsman is common practice.

I have read that too... it's about the warranty... For craftsmen it lasts two years, for the apartment through the developer 5. After all, you are signing a contract for xy sockets with the craftsman.

No, definitely not. The additional costs are with the developer, who charges very well for this extra mediation and work (breaking down items in the invoice). You can read that it can be up to three times what the craftsman charges directly...

No. Ordering special requests from the craftsman is common practice.

Unfortunately, this does not align with the statements from advisors on the topic of condominium ownership.

Online guide sites are unfortunately not exactly sites to be taken as a reference. They copy themselves or have authors who are supposed to create a report once. Many errors creep in overall. Ultimately, they serve almost only as a surface to make money through placed advertising. My experience with the WWW