Construction phase - what should be better avoided during the construction phase

The bigger issues that cost us sleepless nights: - House too low - Controlled residential ventilation does not fit into the house - therefore no gas heating but air-to-water heat pump - Wooden staircase does not fit

Thank you for your valuable advice. I had not expected that even such things could be done wrong. Encouraged by your post, we will definitely have not only the IHK construction supervisor but also the planning checked by a professional. Under no circumstances do we want an air-to-water heat pump, which means we must pay special attention to ensuring that gas heating is possible. It's a pity that we now also have to deal with this, I had not anticipated that.

It's just like with insurance... you have it and don't need it, or you don't have it and (would have) needed it. also, the utility room was so poorly planned that we only had electricity 2 days before moving in. (And no construction power during the heating-up phase) The provider didn't want to install a power box at the planned location, so special meter cabinets had to be installed.

I understand the thing with the construction supervisor, it should be an "Independent Expert for Construction Supervision (IHK), publicly appointed and sworn in."

There are no experts for construction supervision. And they are sworn in by the IHK. A construction expert is by far the most expensive option in terms of cost. There are plenty of civil engineers with appropriate experience (expertise) who offer this service. With 10 minutes of effort, you should be able to find someone like that near you as well.

What to avoid:

[*]Fundamental mistrust
[*]Blind trust
[*]Nervousness
[*]Making phone calls or writing and sending messages in the midst of one's own excitement
[*]Not asking questions that arise - no matter how "stupid" they might seem
[*]Being satisfied with answers even though the question was not answered or the answer was not understood
[*]Trying to understand everything better than the experts
[*]Failing to acquire a basic understanding of the trades
[*]If you have calculated tightly: spontaneous planning changes during the construction phase
[*]Accusatory diction
[*]Looking for someone to blame instead of looking for solutions
[*]Not taking time for site visits (also during the day)
[*]Forgetting to thank and praise
[*]Ignoring the workers on site and only speaking with the bosses

At our first build, we were very busy - the second child was on the way and during the Dotcom crisis I had to find a new job three times during the construction phase. We took too little time for close contact with the construction site and the people. The result was decent (developer townhouse and interior fit-out managed independently) but some things could have gone better. We should have checked the statements of the saleswoman more carefully, then we would have gotten a better located house and moved in earlier. The woman simply lied to us.

With our second build, it was the opposite - I suspended working for a few months, resumed in a reduced capacity after 3 months, and took all the time needed for site management, presence, and good mood. I cannot say what mistakes we made because neither significant errors nor defects occurred. We probably also had a good eye when choosing the construction partners. Only the electricians were very slow and unresponsive.

Construction phase - what should be better avoided during the construction phase

Treating craftsmen disparagingly and forgetting that they are human beings. You can read from some characters here in the forum that craftsmen are considered lower on the food chain than themselves.

Construction phase - what should be better avoided during the construction phase

Treating craftsmen disdainfully and forgetting that they are human beings. You can read from some characters here in the forum that craftsmen are considered lower on the social ladder than themselves.

This has to do with respect and every person should be treated equally regardless of their origin, profession, and other characteristics. The only exception: The person you are dealing with does not consider this behavior necessary.