What kind of site manager is that, not an architect or civil engineer?
We are building with a local construction company. He used to be a carpenter and roofer, now a site manager for about 10 years.
To me it reads more like the client has saved money in the wrong place. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is no execution planning at all and that the site manager might be a "skilled worker" from perhaps the general contractor.
Sorry, that’s of course the famous crystal ball.
But something like that doesn’t exist if qualified professionals are on site.
Especially since this applies to the entire building and not just one trade where botching is going on.
I haven’t asked yet whether there is any execution planning. We had an appointment yesterday with a roofing expert because the eaves construction does not comply with the technical rules (significant water pockets due to a too-high wedge beam). Two site managers and a roofer assured us that the roof would be watertight for 50 years and that it was produced the same way on all other buildings with low roof pitch (they really build a lot of houses here and have a very good reputation). The result was that the roofer stormed off the construction site in anger and we continued our friendly conversation. I am sure the construction company will present us with a solution that complies with the technical rules.
I brought up the sealing of the floor-to-ceiling windows casually. Oral result: the expert says the weak point is on the side between the aluminum strip and the roller shutter rail. Both site managers: “Nothing will happen there, we always order the aluminum strip from the factory additionally.” You don’t have to seal against pressurized water and a gutter has to go there anyway. Nevertheless, suggestion 1: “We can just remove the aluminum strip again if it bothers, then the water can run down the roller shutter rail.” Suggestion 2: “We’ll just drill a hole in the aluminum strip at the position of the roller shutter rail so the water can drain off.”
What bothers me is that I’m slowly starting to think I’m a pedant. On the one hand, I believe them that they always build like this and never have problems because they are really big here, build many houses, and you can’t find a negative reputation. The site manager is always reachable by phone and kindly answers my questions. On the other hand, I don’t want to pay so much money and end up being the fool, especially regarding the tightness of the house, since all these online stories make you more alert (at least me).
Just to sleep better, I think I will contact a masonry expert whose field also covers sealing. Unfortunately, a window expert is not nearby.