berny
2019-04-28 11:41:06
- #1
I think certain special features don’t fit a standard type house from a general contractor. The effort doesn’t match the standard tender.
The client wants the solid security of the general contractor but the modern individuality of an architect-designed house.
Well Yvonne, you might see it that way. Others see it differently. I’ll attach a few example pictures below. I’m a very strange, extremely complicated, demanding type: I give error-free, crack-free banknotes and would like error-free, crack-free walls in return. That’s it. I actually don’t think this is an exaggerated demand in the sense of a high-quality architect house; I would actually consider crack-free ceilings and walls standard. Now I have the pictured walls/ceilings. The general contractor says: Not my problem, I didn’t plaster the walls/ceilings for you?! You as the client had that done yourself on site? He’s right: I asked him as the general contractor for a quote for plastering them in "smooth quality" and also painting them white. Along with all floors in vinyl. His "quote": 30 K. Me: Oh! Him: But just ask my subcontractor, who’s going to screw the drywall panels to the ceiling anyway on my order. I would commission him anyway. Unfortunately, I would have to add a surcharge on the price because of administrative costs and such. He does it much cheaper if you commission him directly. I (idiot!!!) directly asked the painter subcontractor: He: No problem, we do that all the time, costs 8 K. Me: Where do I sign? The results are shown in the pictures... So now I’m standing there. Painter says: I did everything as usual, I can’t be responsible for the cracks. General contractor says: Sorry, 1. the painting work was done on site by the client and 2. maybe the construction wood of the floor above shrank afterwards through drying out at night. That’s explainable, but what am I supposed to do as a layman? The general contractor could have told me at contract signing that for 2 - 3 K more, up there they could have done a concrete ceiling that doesn't shrink or cause cracks. That wouldn’t have been a problem for me, but he says nothing. That’s what we always do. Now I have just reduced the final invoice (this is only one of several minor points) and he’s suing. We’ll see.
Our construction has further annoying, fortunately not very serious defects. I know there are really bad cases sometimes. Still, I feel totally screwed in some respects and won’t accept that. And I can only advise everyone to fight back as best as they can. It’s partly an outrageous impertinence what the general contractor and most of the subs allow themselves. Unfortunately, exceptions only prove the rule. I wish them all that the construction boom slows down strongly again. Then they’ll all come down from their high horse and maybe put more effort into their customers once more. I really wish that for all future clients. But it will probably take a few more years.