Contract process with general contractor

  • Erstellt am 2013-05-20 15:15:19

warp

2013-05-20 15:15:19
  • #1
Hello! Slowly the decision is approaching for us to choose a company that will build the house for us. Now I wonder how things typically proceed. On the one hand, I don’t want to sign anything before all the details are clarified and I know exactly what I am getting for how much money, on the other hand, I also understand that an engineer from the company doesn’t want to spend hours or days deliberating over details with me without it being clear that I will pay him for this work. How does it usually work?
 

ypg

2013-05-20 22:01:20
  • #2


Probably always faulty ;) If I could sign again, I would have the contract, the construction service description, and the payment plan reviewed by an expert beforehand, possibly have the advantages of VOB and the Construction Code explained to me. We didn’t do it, but still had all possible items that might come as additional services listed in advance. That way we can choose what is dear or too expensive, so no surprises come our way :) For example: our construction service description said nothing about the tile size. So we asked how 30x60 tiles would affect the cost. We were lucky: the item is listed with a €0 surcharge :D Also remember to set possible deadlines. Otherwise, I agree with you: you can’t plan or demand 100%, energy is only wasted again on a customer ;) You probably compared everything else...
 

mybaublog

2013-05-20 22:26:40
  • #3
Now I wonder how it typically continues

Answer:

Although you don't know all the details, you sign and later realize that "some to many" things were overlooked.

It usually becomes more expensive than stated, and the builders hope that it doesn't get any worse.

There are statements like "If I did it again......then but", or "if I had known that beforehand....." up to self-reproaches like: "Why did I only....?"

That is the answer to your questions "Typically"...

I will never understand why most builders sign contracts under these circumstances, even if it is "common".....
 

Schnulli

2013-05-20 23:01:24
  • #4
Hello Warp,

before you sign, you should check everything carefully. Here are a few examples:

- Mentally go through the rooms and check for yourself if enough sockets are planned per room? Additional costs... (are network cables included as well?)
- Additional costs for a chimney?
- Which staircase is offered? Beech with beech railing or do you want oak with stainless steel railing? Additional costs...
- Conduits in the house for a possible future photovoltaic system, are these planned?
- Conduit for a cistern? Should that be considered?
- Sanitary equipment, what will be charged to you? Often shower trays are listed in the offer, but you want a walk-in shower or shower tray = additional costs
- Are blinds planned for the whole house or only for the bedrooms? How are the blinds operated? By strap or crank? Pay attention to that. Nowadays, the client usually assumes electric, but often minimum requirements are defined = additional costs

And many additional costs = many small things make a big pile!

At least from my experience, you have to check everything very carefully because, as I said, often minimum requirements are offered and not what I considered "self-evident" according to the state of the art or generally the spirit of the times.

Best regards and good luck,

Schnulli
 

warp

2013-05-21 21:27:35
  • #5
Thank you very much for the answers! I had to google VOB and Baugesetzbuch first. I had never heard of them before and will now read up on them. Otherwise, the points you mentioned are exactly what I am concerned about. I hardly believe that the consultants from the companies want to discuss with me every single empty conduit or, for example, the routing of the ventilation ducts, etc. But probably there is no flat additional cost per meter of empty conduit. Or if, for example, after the contract has been signed, a technician specifically designs the ventilation system and the ducts would be laid across the living room ceiling, whereas invisible installation would lead to a higher and more expensive ceiling construction. It has become apparent in the recent conversations that the colleagues from the technical department are then referred to. I wanted to ask if there is a usual threshold up to which companies plan without obligation.
 

warp

2013-05-21 21:30:01
  • #6
Sorry, but somehow all line breaks always get lost in my posts.
 

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