And what did the architecture firm do, twiddle their thumbs?
No, I think they played pocket billiards and picked their noses. In any case, the information was not deliberately withheld by our architects. Some have been available for a long time, others may have been overlooked, which I cannot rule out. But honestly, I don't care about that at all. What annoys me is the attitude of the project manager at the structural builder. It's always possible that an email doesn't arrive, is overlooked, or simply forgotten. Now the question is how I deal with that. If I am interested in starting the shell construction for my client as soon as possible, I do NOT take the position that it is enough to have sent one email four weeks ago. At the latest after one week, I would make a quick call to ask if anything is unclear and whether the email has been received. Because I want to work out a solution for my client. Here, however, the position is taken that one email is enough, afterwards termination of the contract is threatened. Customer orientation and solution focus look different. Here, one seems to think more in problems and “enemies,” less in solutions and – what was the K-word – oh yes, right, customers!
In fact, the case is even more complex. The structural builder submitted an additional offer for some things (setting the revision shafts) – at significantly overpriced prices. Our architect obtained two counteroffers, both only half as expensive, and rejected the offer citing that it was not offered at local customary prices. For setting two shafts, the structural builder wanted €10,000, €2,800 per shaft (i.e., the concrete rings) alone. For the delivery of the construction machines (from the town 15 km away), a lump sum of another €3,000. He insisted that the bit of excavation (the pit is already dug and the excavated soil stored at the side) had to be taken to a landfill...
Counteroffer: €1,700 per shaft, excavation stored at the side for a flat rate of €350 – including arrival/departure of construction machines.
The structural builder now states in his letter that he will unilaterally terminate the contract if we do not reject his additional offer within one week and claims that his prices are customary locally. Apparently, he does not understand that an offer is not an invoice and thus no obligation to accept exists. It seems to me he makes an inflated offer, perhaps to compensate for a miscalculation or to make an even better cut. Whatever his motive is, it is not CUSTOMER-oriented. And I will not sign any crap.
It was also clear that we received the letter while our architect was just on his way overseas on a plane to begin his two-week vacation. I scanned the letter and sent it by email asking for help. As soon as he landed, he wrote back that he would consult with his business partner over the weekend and that an email would be sent to the structural builder on Monday. Here, one seems to know very well who the customer is and what is helpful for the situation.