BUT: What I was told before signing is that special requests can always be handled. Arranging supplements or even reductions in performance is supposedly no problem at all.
This (probably) does not apply to services provided by a third party, but rather to the tuning of the scope of work description: either a higher class in the item, or removal of the item, or/and an additional item that the scope of work description does not currently offer. For example, a chimney flue, height adjustment for the screed, or other higher quality roof tiles.
Even if your approach is more modern/more effective, the heating engineer’s goal is a functioning heating system according to DIN, with a margin for himself.
That is probably true.
I understand that. That’s why I would have paid for the more detailed planning. If he hadn’t just started off without an order, he would have had even less effort. I suspect in this case there is also a bit of wounded master pride.
As I have already said, I don’t know much about the heating topic, so forgive me here for the flawed thinking if any here is as naive as I am:
A craftsman may be good or bad, but we’ll leave that aside here. However, he has specialized. There are companies that reject these general contractor (GU) bondage contracts, they can afford to do so because they are regionally unique, and they also offer your missing 20%, but in the end are not what a general contractor can afford for a house build. Because to the builder, the end result counts. And then there are those who do both: free contracts and GU contracts. That way their fixed costs are usually covered by the GU contracts.
And there are companies that only work for GUs: little profit, but secure. These companies often cannot offer more than they do.
Example: my company is designed for standard. Based on employees, equipment, and time. Everything works. And then comes a customer (YOU) who wants more. Something I might be able to do but doesn’t fit into my scheme/concept. I try to satisfy them. But I waste more time on them than I am happy with. I can barely answer their inquiries shortly, but to put it simply, I spend too much time with them. Then I drop them because it’s too stressful. I am already 130% busy, these 5% won’t make the difference — I waive the order.
I have indeed communicated mainly via email. But that essentially has two reasons:
1. The man is almost never reachable by phone.
Why do you think? He is working. I am surprised that he even checks his mailbox... I myself built with a GU. The contact person was the site manager. I clarified demands on site directly with the craftsmen. Outside of the GU. The craftsmen had only a t-online or gmx email... no claim that they would have to clarify anything by email. Only with the electrician did exchanging electrician plans by email work.
I just caught myself playing with the idea of offering the GC a termination agreement now. Crazy idea or
You are playing with the idea of building with an architect? Then be aware that you won’t get a turnkey fixed price. Flexibility is not only positive, but can also be to your disadvantage.