GU - final deadline - what questions should we still ask?

Crane space is the question. Of 10 GCs, only FIBAV wanted about 8k€ for crane space. All others did not understand the additional costs and said that there are none.

Our GC said the same today. No additional costs.

I would ask... - whether the start date is recorded in writing in the contract (we didn’t do this and now have a 3-month delay)

We would have to postpone our contract date to this Friday.

I have already received the contract in advance and there is no exact start date mentioned, only: The contractor guarantees a construction period of 8 months for the contractually agreed services starting from the beginning of the masonry work.

Can I just "insert" the start date like that or which points would I have to clarify beforehand?

That is deliberately formulated that way. No general contractor/subcontractor wants to voluntarily put themselves under pressure and risk a contractual penalty. Try to negotiate it, but depending on the size/utilization/security needs of your contracting partner, you could certainly encounter deaf ears.

I also find 8 months from masonry work rather vague. I would refer here to site setup and if there is no construction start, at least a latest date (currently planned construction start + buffer x). Since the construction industry is currently a seller's market, the general contractor has more negotiating power and may not agree to such a clause.

no exact start date

No general contractor/subcontractor in the world will agree to have a fixed start date written into contracts. First, they are subject to many factors over which they have no control (weather conditions, building permits...), second, in the current seller's market hardly anyone is able – even if they wanted to – to commit capacities bindingly and reserve them; especially not someone with whom there is not even a contractual relationship yet.

Try to negotiate it, but depending on the size/utilization/security needs of your contractual partner, you could definitely run into deaf ears.

Trying is better than studying. I'll simply ask. I just thought it would at least say something like planned construction start in month X and then the exceptions (higher ge

vague. I would go for construction site setup here and if there is no construction start, at least a latest date (currently planned construction start + buffer x)

I will ask if this can be agreed upon that way.

reserve; especially not someone with whom there isn't even a contractual relationship yet.

Well, that's exactly what is supposed to be finalized on Friday.