Supply problems, lack of raw materials - as of October 2022

Hello everyone,

Since July we have had our approved building permit, but since then absolutely nothing has happened on the part of the house builder (prefabricated house). Nothing is being planned until the selection appointment, and we have now received a selection appointment for February ’23.

The original timeline was basement in Dec. ’22, house about 4-6 weeks later, and move-in roughly April-May ’23.

Now we are already being told that the basement will come at the earliest 2-3 months after the selection appointment, the house will not be delivered 4-6 weeks later as originally planned but 5-6 months later, and the finishing work will apparently not take 3-4 months but rather about 6 months.

This means overall so far that it could be a whole year later than originally agreed before we can move in.

We have a construction contract according to the Construction Code. Unfortunately, the contract does not say a word about the delivery date or the move-in date (I know, we were pretty naive and stupid and trusted the sales representative too much).

All this is repeatedly explained by missing materials and delivery problems, although we actually believe that the house builder messed up the orders, took on way too much (before everything completely collapses), and now cannot serve fast enough.

(Of course we are also struggling with the costs and cannot/will not just keep watching. The loss of subsidies hit us pretty hard, then of course the general price increases, from June ’23 we will pay the full loan plus current rent, from November ’23 also default interest at the bank. The kitchen is planned for delivery in May ’23, and there will also be price increases and storage costs for us, and as I said the selection appointment has not even taken place; we don’t even want to know the prices for floor coverings and such.)

What I actually want to know from you is, what is the overall current situation with raw materials? I have lost track and hear here and there that it has basically stabilized. Of course, it’s not like it used to be (order today, arrive tomorrow), but if you plan smartly, you actually get your stuff on time; it’s no longer a surprise that for a house you need insulation in 4 weeks, and it works out.

What can you say about that? Is the delivery situation still that bad out there?

Best regards

Our building materials have all arrived on time so far and were available for purchase or delivery. Apart from a few small exceptions (FI circuit breakers), which were also resolved. We also had the problem of simultaneous payments (rent + loan) because the seller took forever to move out. After consulting with our bank, the installment was suspended for 5 months. That also helps a bit. According to my bank advisor, not all banks do that.

The original timeline was basement in Dec. 22’, house then about 4-6 weeks later and moving in roughly April-May 23’.

Do you have anything in writing about this – like a preliminary contract?

Do you have anything in writing about that – i.e. preliminarily?

That is the right question. And immediately afterward: Until when is your price fixed? The house price will not remain as stated in the contract forever. What does the contract say about that?

Most materials should currently be available with reasonable notice, the main exceptions being heat pumps and photovoltaics as far as I know. If, like my general contractor, you still rely on spontaneous planning and ordering on demand, then of course it doesn't work so well and the construction site is delayed over something unnecessary like interior window sills...

The main problem I see for you at first is the fixed price issue. What was agreed there? With three quarters of a year until the sample selection, I would also make sure that you don't get the full time counted against you right afterwards.

We have a construction contract according to the Building Code. Unfortunately, there is not a word about the delivery date in the contract and nothing about the move-in date either (I know, we were pretty naive and stupid and trusted the sales representative too much).

Is there nothing about construction times either? We also have no guaranteed completion dates in the contract, but in both contracts something like "from the start of construction, a maximum of X months construction time plus X winter break" or something similar.