Sanitary company did not complete the job - what to do, experiences?

Hello!

We had our ground floor completely renovated in the spring. Among other things, a floor heating system was installed by the plumbing company (early to mid-May) and this was supposed to be combined with solar thermal. The solar panels have been sitting in our basement for months, cluttering everything up; the company ordered them and had them delivered to us without consultation. All services provided so far have been paid for. The buffer tank and the installation of the panels on the facade are missing. Without completion, we cannot receive any subsidies (around €4,000-5,000). And of course, we cannot save any gas either. We have called countless times already. Always promises but no action.

What options do we have? Set deadlines? Withdraw from the remaining contract?

Maybe someone has tips?

What options do we have? Set deadlines? Withdraw from the remaining contract? Maybe someone has tips?

Definitely get legal advice first before taking any action. The matter has several dimensions, namely the contract itself and the compensation for a possible funding damage on one hand and the already certainly delayed start of savings on the other. That the stuff is just lying around is legally more or less a minor issue in the whole thing. Setting deadlines is important in the sense that the contractor must also be legally in default first – so far, he is only "practically" in default – before you can threaten to exit the contract. And this exit will be necessary to pave the way for a substitute performance (e.g. by awarding the contract to another contractor). How did it come about that the plumbing company is ghosting you?

Are there completion dates in the contract? I am not familiar with this. But could it be that buffer tanks are currently hard to get? What does the contractor say?

What options do we have? Set deadlines? Withdraw from the remainder of the contract?

Exactly in that order.

In any case, get legal advice before taking action. The matter has several dimensions, namely the contract itself and the damages for a possible funding loss on the one hand, and the already certainly delayed start of savings on the other. That the stuff is just standing around is legally rather peanuts in the whole affair. Setting deadlines is important insofar as the contractor must first be legally in default – so far he is "only" practically in default – before you can threaten to terminate the contract. And this termination will be necessary to pave the way for a replacement performance (e.g., by awarding the contract to another contractor). How did it come about that the plumbing company is ghosting you?

Thank you for your answer. We don’t want to start with damages at all, we just want them to either finish or we will commission another company; I don’t have the nerves for anything else. I don’t know how it came to this, they have been doing our gas heating for years and we have always paid all invoices properly and correctly, even the services already rendered were paid promptly and in full. I assume they have too much to do or I don’t know. The secretary is always just surprised that the boss hasn’t called us again. We have been calling there every week since about July, often several times. The trust is gone anyway, we would end the cooperation now in any case.

Are there completion dates in the contract? I don't know much about this. But could it be that buffer tanks are currently hard to get? What does the contractor say? Exactly in that order it works.

Unfortunately, we were too trusting and thought that after years of cooperation we wouldn't have to set dates. It was only agreed verbally. Only the cost estimate was in writing and we also accepted it in writing. The contractor says nothing further. Apparently, he hasn't dealt with the buffer tanks and scaffolding at all, but he apparently did so several weeks ago, because I once received a call from a scaffolder who asked questions. But since then, total silence again (probably already 2 months and no one calls back, mostly no one picks up and if they do, only the surprised secretary).

Staff shortages, illness-related absences, delivery difficulties, or simply too many orders accepted. There are many possibilities here.

Of course, now various clever advice comes from the non-craftsmen like setting deadlines or going straight to a lawyer.
With the lawyer, of course, the cloth is immediately cut and the fronts harden. This is where a lengthy and also expensive legal dispute begins, which strains the nerves of all involved. So it brings absolutely nothing.

The entrepreneur already knows that he is behind schedule. If I were you, I would drive by in the evening and seek a personal conversation with the boss. Explain the situation to him.

Everyone has problems these days.