Payment before or after completion of the construction phase?

I assume that preparing the documents is also work and can and should be compensated accordingly.

Yes, that is correct and is also a provided service; so you are not advancing any payment. What is unusual is that this service is split into 2 payment installments on your part; nothing more.

You mention payment installments, each in 10% increments. How much did you pay upon completion of the shell construction (i.e. shell, windows, carpenter + roof)? How many payment installments are agreed upon in total?

Sorry, occupational hazard

Rhenish greetings

We had that in the original payment schedule as well: payment after construction phase. "Neatly" packaged with the sentence: Upon installation of the ground floor ceiling, upon blabla. Whoever doesn't get it signs for advance payment. That was a tough negotiation point for us, but we didn’t give up. Otherwise, we wouldn't have signed. And in hindsight absolutely right! Although everything went very well, you never know...

And statistically, the most bankruptcies occur in the construction industry... looking at how the craftsmen work, I’m not surprised. Therefore: never advance payment!! Unless for planning documents... that risk can be taken, but no more.

Therefore: never prepayment!! Unless it is for planning documents... that risk can be taken, but no more.

Even then, it is not necessary, service rendered --> invoice

Yes, that is correct and is also a service rendered; so you are not making an advance payment. What is unusual is that this service is split into 2 payment steps for you; nothing more.

You mention payment steps, each in 10% increments. How much have you paid at the stage of the closed shell (i.e. shell construction, windows, carpenter + roof)? How many payment steps are agreed in total?

Sorry, occupational hazard

Rhenish regards

I have to check the papers again later!

But I already pay 3% after contract confirmation. This refers to the signature under the work contract. At that point, no building application has been submitted yet, no construction discussion has taken place, etc. Specifically, what am I paying 3% for here?

What exactly am I paying 3% for here?

Aside from the fact that it is quite late for this question, you have to direct it to your contractual partner. Since I neither know your contract nor your provider, I cannot make any statement about their business practices. The 3% "could" represent the administrative fee, but also an advance on the architectural service ... or, or. Rhineland greetings

But I am already paying 3% after contract confirmation.

Basically an advance on your shell completion party.