Exterior facilities not finished

even though it is very annoying when agreed things are not done: the house is finished, move in, find peace. whether the terrace is there now or in a few weeks, relax! other people wait months or even years until something really happens outside. keep "stressing" the company with inquiries about when it will finally start. running to a lawyer and causing costs is not a solution if everything has gone smoothly so far. don’t threaten that you will look for someone else. garden landscapers are all (good ones) booked up for this year or don’t even want to work due to poor earning opportunities. stay calm and wait. we waited from November 2015 until June 2016 with terrace and driveway. actually even longer, since we gave the order in June 2015! and were supposed to be next in line in November. in the new year, we suddenly were not first in line (March/April). that’s just how it is, now it’s finished. i called the garden landscaper weekly to remind him of us eventually he came. and always stay friendly

The legal process is taking longer and longer.

The saying goes, "At court and at sea, one is in God's hands."

Of course contracts are binding, but they never guarantee 100% success. And if something has gone wrong, everyone should first try to find a mutually satisfactory solution outside the legally possible route.
Putting someone in default, setting deadlines, and politely hinting at the possible consequences would be, in my view, the right approach.

smeared from the tablet

Hm. At the moment I am thinking about how I would react. I am currently considering mentally what disadvantages I have as a result. Furthermore, I ask myself questions such as: Is it definitely a defect? What limitations do I have due to the construction delay of the outdoor area? Will I incur additional costs because of this? and so on. I think I can answer all these questions with no, and as already suggested, I would try to have the work done quite quickly now. Annoying maybe, but otherwise everything is fine. And if the neighbor is already finished, I’ll just let him enjoy it.

As far as I have read, however, he does have financial disadvantages, since, for example, he still keeps his motorcycle in a rented garage instead of putting it in his own garage. (Surely not a big issue..) I can understand the thread starter, especially if the neighbors are building with the same? (or different?) developer and everything is finished there, it really annoys you. But personally, I would approach it more with a “oh well” and make sure that, with friendly, constant reminders, I get my turn as soon as possible and that the facilities are then completed with appropriate quality. What good does it do you if they squeeze you in now and then the paving looks like crap?

Oh, the garage was also commissioned (?)

well, I also know my East German in-laws. There the "sense of justice" is particularly strong and the threat scenario is set up. It gets funny when the contracting party also comes from the East. 2 wooden blocks rarely come alone. Chain-link fence sends its regards.

No offense, reminds me a bit of that

Oh, the garage was also commissioned (?)

Garage is set!