Construction schedule delayed, or something planned incorrectly?

Hello,

we are building 2x2 semi-detached houses with basements together with 3 other families. All the houses look the same from the outside.
170 sqm. Basement, ground floor, upper floor.
Walls and ceilings are precast elements made of reinforced concrete.
According to the construction schedule, we are already 8 weeks behind.
The developer or their architect says everything is still within the limits.
In July, excavation began and everything was supposed to be finished by August 2014, so 12 months in total.
Until today, the basements and ground floors are done, and only the ceiling is missing in the upper floor. (Flat roof above the upper floor)
Today we learned that the window installer and electrician are supposed to come only in January. According to the construction schedule, they were supposed to come already this week.

All in all, the first families are already getting nervous.
The contract states that for every month of delay from 1.09.14 onward, compensation must be paid to the developer.
What always surprises me is that the shell structure is constantly built with only 3 construction workers.

They work 2 days on house 1, 2 days on house 2, 2 days on house 3, etc. Thus, the other houses just stand idle.

What do you think about this?
Is it already worth putting pressure on them, or is the construction schedule maybe just poorly planned?
If needed, I can also insert an excerpt from the construction description.

Good morning,
if work on the windows and electrical installations starts in January, I personally (still) wouldn’t worry, there are still 7 months until August for completion; some companies manage to deliver a turnkey solid construction within that time.
However, in your position, I would request a revision of the construction schedule.

Thank you for the help. I am of the opinion that the construction of the shell alone is planned far too tight anyway. Namely in about 15 weeks including excavation work. Basement, ground floor, upper floor ...

Hello,

Excavation began in July and everything should be finished in August 2014. So 12 months.
To date, the basement, ground floor, and on the upper floor only the ceiling is missing. (Flat roof over the upper floor)
Today we learned that the window fitter and electrician are only supposed to come in January. According to the construction schedule, they should already be coming this week.

12 months for a simple semi-detached house – and after 3 months only the basic shell; that’s quite something. I hope you signed a reasonable payment plan :confused:

I wouldn’t worry about the electrical work, the windows aren’t really a drama either – although of course it would be good if the shell were closed before winter. When is the flat roof coming, or will your builder also leave that open until January?

All in all, the first families are already getting nervous.
The contract states that the builder must pay compensation for every month of delay starting 09/01/14.
What always amazes me is that the shell is constantly being built with only 3 construction workers.

They work 2 days on house 1, 2 days on house 2, 2 days on house 3, etc. So the other houses just stand around.

You allow the builder a construction period of 12 months; theoretically, he could work with only one man per semi-detached house and still be finished by August 2014. Don’t get your hopes up for any "compensation" – no one could be that stupid alone for that to happen.

Is it worth putting pressure on now or is the construction schedule maybe simply just badly planned?

You have no legal means to "put pressure" on! The construction schedule is, by the way, only an approximate indication and can easily be disputed argumentatively; what matters is the contractually guaranteed handover date.

Best regards from the Rhineland

Definitely make sure to have the windows put in before winter...

If it were up to me, yes