Construction Service Descriptions: Overview of Criteria for Comparison

Maybe it's just us, but I find it really difficult to compare the construction service and equipment descriptions of individual providers. I currently have only two in front of me, and even there I find comparability difficult in many respects – one expresses things this way, the other that way, some points are mentioned by one but not the other, and vice versa; and maybe as laypeople we don’t even notice that the house construction might urgently require this or that service which is not included in either and therefore not provided?

What we are missing is a checklist of all possible criteria on which you should specifically compare providers.

I have also started, quite incompletely, to create a corresponding table for myself, but I fear I will forget some things.

Are there maybe good links for this or can you recommend any book on the topic?

I’ve already googled, but apparently you’re not allowed to link anything, however: Does anyone know the brochure: "Die Muster-Baubeschreibung. Hausangebote richtig vergleichen." by the Verbraucherzentrale? Edition 2016? It’s supposed to cost just under 20 euros and sounds from the title exactly like what we are looking for...

We already have: Our Homeowner’s Manual from Stiftung Warentest, I think from 2014 (got it used...), haven’t read it thoroughly yet either, but I haven’t found such a tabular overview with all possible comparison points in it...

Hello,

Maybe it's just us, but I find it really difficult to compare the construction service and equipment descriptions of individual providers. I only have 2 in front of me so far and already find comparability difficult in many points ....

That is also hardly possible for laypeople; I myself sometimes have to look twice ;)

I've already googled, apparently you’re not allowed to link anything, but: Does anyone know the brochure: "Die Muster-Baubeschreibung. Hausangebote richtig vergleichen." by the Verbraucherzentrale? As of 2016? Should cost just under 20 euros and sounds from the title exactly like what we are looking for...

I have this sample BB here. It compares the different BBs – from my point of view – only rudimentarily; but at least a first step!

What you are looking for doesn’t exist and is also difficult to impossible to create; every BB is different. As you have rightly pointed out, the problem already lies in the description of individual trades or parts thereof. The required software would already cost so much in creation that in my opinion no one would be willing to bear the costs in sales for it.

What you can/should do is get the sample BB from the VBZ and fill it out according to the specifications; in my opinion it is available for download using the appropriate passwords. This will already filter out the most resourceful candidates. Afterwards, however, you should rely on professional advice. That is, when a provider appeals to you particularly and you are 90% ready to sign their contract for work. There are different possibilities for this; also including the contractual components of the contract for work. For example, the VBZ, the Association of Private Builders, any lawyer with the relevant focus, or any independent expert such as building consultants offer such services. The costs vary depending on the scope of the order; starting at €300.00 (pure BB review), if I’m not mistaken.

Spend this money; it is a good investment!

Rhineland greetings from on the road

Search on Google for "BAUTEILBESCHREIBUNGEN IM BAUTRÄGERVERTRAG". The very first result is a PDF that could help you.

Comparing every sqm of Q2 or Q4 plastering is not possible. Even if differences are recognized, one still does not know how much an external contractor or the involved craftsman charges for this missing trade or how much is reimbursed if it is excluded from the contract. An expert can check whether the construction service description properly includes all trades, which ones are missing, and how much additional cost is attributable. An expert can check whether a properly functioning and satisfactory house can be built according to the construction service description. In the end (or at the beginning), there is the gut feeling about whether the company is the one that should/may build the dream house. This cannot be captured in a table anyway – at least not in a number, but it can be marked with a green checkmark ;)