Retention after house acceptance - is substitute performance possible?

how to put the contractor in default and/or elicit from him the declaration of consent that you will perform the replacement. Otherwise, he might one day, when he is bored, remember that he could still show up at your place – and then complain about having traveled for nothing, having scheduled materials and people, and so on.

Definitely. First announce EV with final deadline(s). That way we would be playing with open cards and we will let ourselves be advised again.

Repairs to the plaster facade. It is not a technical defect, but a serious cosmetic one,

Then you can approach it quite calmly overall, if it is only a cosmetic defect – and on the outside, where you live inside anyway. You have the money that the company still wants. You are in the much better position. So just wait calmly.

You have the money the company still wants. You are in the much better position. So just wait calmly.

I see it the same way, especially since the value of money is decreasing anyway due to the inflation rate.

I agree, especially since the value of money is decreasing anyway due to the inflation rate.

But that can also be an argument for us to rather use it now for another company ;)

We'll start by practicing patience, but due to the time of year we fear that nothing will happen until March/April -.-

You have to set written deadlines for when things are to be completed, otherwise you will never get anywhere! After, I think, 3 deadlines he loses the right and you can hire someone else. That is how it would have gone with us, however, the craftsman sued us for the remaining payment, we naturally wanted to withhold the money and give it to another company. Therefore, definitely get legal advice, just a consultation is not that expensive now.

We are practicing patience for now, but due to the season, we fear that nothing will happen until March/April -.-

Either you already anticipate the excuses of the (over)next season or you set deadlines. You always wait fruitlessly for Godot. Decide whether you a) just wanted to contribute here for entertainment or b) are seriously interested in a prompt resolution. If b, then the contractor needs a clear message now.