Inspection/Supplements

How do you actually prevent being ripped off like a Christmas goose after signing a contract?

Let's say I want 10 additional sockets and the construction company says each socket costs 500€. Is it common to add a list to the contract specifying the surcharges for the various items/services? Or do you try to negotiate with the construction company, and if they are uncooperative, try to obtain the service through a third party?

By clarifying such matters before signing the contract.

By clarifying such matters before signing the contract.

Hehe, I already expected that answer. Basically correct, and nothing has been signed yet. Nevertheless, ALL the construction companies so far say that such topics are then clarified directly with the electrician, which has also been confirmed by friends who have built a house. In any case, there may be change requests that I cannot foresee now.

Yes, you can never be prepared for all eventualities. We have planned extras in advance whenever possible and have also discussed them in advance with the general contractor / with the craftsmen.

To avoid surprises, especially regarding the amount, you should speak with as many builders of the respective construction company as possible beforehand. And not just with those whose addresses are given to you by the seller. There you can already check whether the calculation was accurate, how much an additional socket cost, where the pitfalls are, etc.

I had all prices recorded in the contract. These were listed in a section "optionale Aufpreise," so they were not included in the contract price, but I could get them at the specified price, including sockets. Actually, I was given the prices for everything and included them upon request.

There is no 100% certainty, but this way you improve the situation.

The more you order directly from the general contractor (GU), the more planning security you have, but you also pay more. The GU makes the contract and then passes the work on, but also takes a cut. Classics here are, for example, underfloor heating or electric shutters, which you could also arrange with the respective trades. The window installer gives the mason a plan of how the windows will look (e.g., with/without shutters). This doesn’t work with every company, but with many it does.

For sockets, you can certainly just include a bag more sockets (e.g., 50 pieces) in the house construction price. In the end, the price is usually negotiated – instead of a better price, you get more sockets, for example. If you read a few construction reports, here in the forum, etc., you eventually get a feel for how much each extra costs roughly and which extras are basically "mandatory" (e.g., more sockets) and where you can possibly stick to the standard.