How do you check a construction company?

Hello everyone,
Friends of ours have a very interesting offer from a general contractor.
The offer seems too good to be true to us, so we searched for the construction company on the internet. According to Northdata, it has existed since 2012 and changed managing directors two years ago (presumably to his girlfriend). However, the former managing director still acts as the boss and plans/sells the houses.
Now, Northdata allows displaying the network and connections. There is an investment company where the same contact person was also managing director until 2018 (founded also in 2012). Now the same lady is managing director here as in the house construction company.
Both companies have a registered capital of €25,000 (they are GmbHs).
Both companies focus on the construction and sale of real estate.

Otherwise, Google did not produce any information about references, clients, construction diaries, or generally about the two persons.

This seems quite dubious to us, but of course, we do not want to be party poopers right away.

How can we proceed here to get further information? Schufa?

I am looking forward to your suggestions.

According to Northdata, these have existed since 2012 and changed the managing director 2 years ago (presumably his girlfriend). However, the former managing director still acts as the boss and plans/sells the houses.

That sounds like he unfortunately lost faith in the reliability of his 34er himself.

Both companies have a registered capital of €25,000 (are GmbH)

An old popular misconception. What does the most recently published balance sheet say about how much of that is really still there?

How can one proceed here for further information? Schufa?

With information about "me" and "my friends" (or even just namesakes), I could entertain whole comedy nights if it were not so sad how the various credit agencies mess up. Do you know the thread ? I would never check a general contractor or builder solely on paper.

This seems quite unreliable to us, but of course we don't want to be the party poopers right away.

What is unreliable?

Both companies have a capital of €25,000 registered (they are GmbHs)

The formal capital. Developer balance sheets/general contractor balance sheets are, however, not really meaningful. Down payments, unfinished work, liabilities from goods and services, etc. – as a savvy credit analyst, you can hardly manage that. Sometimes €5 million loss in one year and the next year €10 million profit.

How can one proceed here for further information? Schufa?

References, references, references and the personal impression. Quality of the answers, speed, etc.

Maybe check the last projects or current ones. But please do not ask the [GU] for addresses. That way you get insider information first-hand. Someone once said that companies in the construction industry always underestimate costs.

Someone once said that companies in the construction industry always calculate themselves poor

Hmm, I thought that was the case in every industry.

That sounds like he himself unfortunately has lost faith in his 34 reliability

You speak in riddles, my friend.

What is unprofessional?

He basically offers an A6 quattro at the price of a Dacia. About €50,000 cheaper than affordable turnkey house providers like Team Massivhaus or Heinz von Heiden

References, references, references and the personal impression. Quality of the answers, speed etc.

Of course, I cannot judge that since I was not present at the conversation. And you do not find any references at all!

Check out the latest projects or current ones. But please don’t ask the general contractor for addresses

And how else is he supposed to get these references? Sure, we can drive through current new housing areas, but a house that is not finished yet is simply not finished yet.