Construction supervision via Bauherren-Schutzbund, Association of Private Builders, TÜV, DEKRA, independent expert surveyor, or "xyz"...?

...we are currently facing exactly this question! Thanks to Bauexperte for this important topic. Should we hire a private expert even though a neutral building assessor has already been contractually agreed with the GU in addition to the site management (but only 2 appointments: 1 appointment during the construction phase, 1 appointment before handover)? Our concerns, as can be read in some forum posts, mainly relate to good/constructive cooperation between the GU and our expert or ourselves. Potentially, the relationship with the construction company could even be worsened by the expert (if they behave accordingly). It strongly depends on the respective expert. Who likes being lectured/demonstrated about defects. In our case, it is a turnkey solid construction, single-story on a slab, all from a single source. The GU is a local company (at the construction site) with a good reputation and would have a lot to lose. We were able to speak with former clients of this company who confirmed this. From my professional experience, I unfortunately know "independent experts" whom I personally would not exactly classify as "established professionals" (unfortunately not from the building construction sector). What do you think?

...from my painful experience, it has to be done this way: during the acceptance inspection, the expert MUST create their own defect report, either it matches the builder's report or it does not, because the builder refuses to record the defect.

What you have checked in advance and which expert you get is up to each person to decide. Freedom also means personal responsibility!

This report then serves as a basis for the lawyer and simplifies many things for defect complaints and possibly for filing a lawsuit. The expert is there anyway, so they should write down their comments!!! Nobody does this because they can charge extra later.

If 800€ is too expensive for someone, they have to struggle and read through forums for nights. The result is always the same: if only we had done the acceptance with the expert...

These are also the same people who then rope in all acquaintances for an unorganized move for a beer and cheap sausage. Taking out loans for 300,000€, bragging about owning property, but no money for an expert and a moving company.

We ourselves filed a lawsuit in August 2016 and the settlement hearing was postponed twice (the courts are overloaded with certain recognition lawsuits, you know what I mean). So it takes easily over a year.

With the expert report backing you up, it would definitely have gone faster.

The lawyer cannot present the defects as precisely as the expert can, and the judge releases the lawsuit faster with this information. The opponent knows that too...

With sympathies from one who has suffered

Most people think an expert covers all trades; in fact, it is not only impossible for an expert to cover all trades, it is even anti-competitive!

Experts who call themselves experts in construction, building experts who cover everything, are prohibited under §3 UWG and act misleadingly!

The reason, which should be clear to everyone, is "No expert is capable of possessing such extensive expertise in all subject areas of construction." Experts, specialists can only cover a limited part due to the scope.

One thing I am sure of, as an expert in locksmithing, I have so many standards, guidelines, ongoing changes, that it is impossible to cover a second trade, even aluminum construction, which I am also allowed to do!

Hello everyone,

the topic of building surveyor is now becoming relevant for us as well. We hope to gain new insights here. We would be very grateful for your experience and opinions.

So, we live in Berlin and plan to build a town villa with the company “City-Haus” in Brandenburg (prefabricated massive clay-lump wall elements + mineral wool + clinker). My research showed that this house-building company is mentioned in almost no topics in this forum, i.e. many probably don’t know them.

Unfortunately, we realized too late (only now) that involving a building surveyor BEFORE signing the contract – especially for checking the contract and the description of construction services + contract negotiation – would have been advisable / necessary. But it is as it is. We already have a building permit. In about 2-3 months, the earthworks can begin.

That means nothing has been built yet. We now want a building surveyor to accompany our construction project from now on until acceptance + 1 appointment before the warranty expires.

Unfortunately, as inexperienced people, we don’t know any building surveyor. Does anyone know a good one from direct personal experience? Can anyone recommend a good building savings contract in the Berlin/Brandenburg/Barnim region?

We know the offer from [Bauherren-Schutzbund]. We also want to consider other building savings contracts. Very important are real experiences, because we have already had a very bad experience with a recommended (!) soil expert.

Thank you very much in advance!

Unfortunately, as inexperienced people, we do not know a building surveyor. Does anyone know a good one from their own direct experience? Can anyone recommend a good home savings contract in the Berlin/Brandenburg/Barnim region?

We are in a very similar situation. Next year we will start with our general contractor and have planned in advance with an architect who will not accompany the construction.
Now the question is which homeowners' protection association/club should one turn to in NRW?

I personally find it very confusing and opaque.
There are endless websites on the internet from "ASSOCIATIONS" or those who want to be one. Some with professional appearances and some make you wonder if you are falling for a scammer.
Homeowners' Association-XYZ...DE, NET, COM....

Mostly with a postal address in Berlin.
But I doubt if we from East Westphalia fit there...

TÜV & DEKRA are clear, but in scope and price a different league. (Partly per trade/appointment >500 euros +X)

Who has maybe had experience with a reputable association/club possibly even in NRW?

Planning inaccuracies

What would be an example of an inaccuracy?