How do I get out of a contract for work?

4. Research in advance or read the contract.

It seems there is no contract...?!

There doesn’t seem to be any contract...?!

Order confirmation and applicable terms and conditions, for example. These are also contracts.

Very good, hampshire. You can really sign off on that.

Order confirmation and thus applicable T&Cs, for example. These are contracts as well.

Of course - these must be available to the OP for review though

Don’t - as I said, I have an offer and I have accepted it orally. This is quite common with craftsmen, we had the same with our carpenters. So I have never been given any terms and conditions.

Hampshire:
Regarding 1 and 2) Yes, I now believe that he bit off more than he could chew with this job. We had mirrors made by him, which was completely fine. Whether he overextended himself technically or simply has a lousy supplier, I can’t judge. I only know that so far only one glass has been delivered without defects, and that was on the second attempt. All other glasses were defective even on the second or third delivery. But I can’t approach the supplier, my contact is solely the glazier I commissioned.
He’s no longer interested in the job, but he doesn’t want to quit either. Someone from our house-building team has already asked him about that.
Regarding 3) I think it’s fair to expect that six laminated glass panes are delivered and installed without defects within half a year. Moreover, we now also have an insurance case because the glazier drilled into a cable during installation. Incidentally, the first installation of the gallery railing was associated with damage to the wood and wall (which we then repaired with our house-building team – at no cost to him). I already pointed this out in my email with the deadline. If there is further damage during installation, I will this time hold him responsible for repair and restoration.
The railing is not missing, it just consists of defective glass (with streaks). Safety is not compromised as a result.
Regarding 4) that is exactly the question I am asking myself: what do I have to pay? I refuse to pay anything for inferior glass. The holders were also made for us. We would pay for those (and of course keep them); however, I want to see the invoice from the metalworker who made these parts as a basis. The glazier is welcome to add his markup on top – I just fear he will demand a much higher price there in order to recoup at least part of his costs. Incidentally, during the installation of these metal parts, the glazier drilled into the cable...

Despite all the frustration, your situation is quite comfortable. Well then, I would do nothing for now. The railing is not perfect, but currently still sensationally cheap. Either it will become perfect at some point or it will remain this cheap. Mr. Glaser, it's your move. I have a similar situation with my inverters for the photovoltaic system. The ordered and delivered device cannot be connected because a DC/DC converter is missing. Therefore, the ordered and not yet delivered batteries don't work either. To have a functioning system, I now have 2 inverters and batteries from another manufacturer on loan until the system works as ordered. I have paid neither for the inverters nor the batteries. The service provider is on the move. Either he manages it (expected Q3/2020) or it stays cheap. Of course, I want the system as ordered. It simply isn't possible right now, so we found this solution, which you already effectively have.