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

(...) I wouldn't just accept a blanket "yeah everything takes 6 months longer because of material shortages." They should be able to explain that. Otherwise, how do you pay them? It can't be in the company's interest for them not to get their money forever. It's probably different with prefabricated houses since they have little upfront costs?

They can't and don't have to. The 6 months is a rough estimate because even the most decorated professionals among purchasers don't know how the situation will develop in the next 2-3 months. A severe corona wave in China or a gas shortage in Europe and the 6 months become irrelevant; then we're quickly talking about 2024. PS: I wish it were different, but your assessments here are not correct. No one can currently give a reliable forecast months in advance. Material arrives when it arrives. That's how it is at the moment.

They can't and don't have to. The 6 months is a rough estimate, because even the most highly decorated professionals among the buyers don't know how the situation will develop in the next 2-3 months. A severe corona wave in China or a gas shortage in Europe and the 6 months become obsolete, then we are quickly talking about 2024.

I think we can spare ourselves further comments. The builders just want to hear that they are victims of an incompetent house provider who maliciously delays construction to make more money. Because for others it works. How you can start a construction in 2022 and think that everything will be finished in less than a year is almost denial of reality.

Unfortunately, this is also due to the fact that most builders nowadays come from industries that hardly come into contact with such things anymore. Although, if I need an eye doctor appointment today that is not absolutely necessary, I also wait easily 3-4 months. It's similar in court as well.

The problem is also that Kati's experiences with a local general contractor in the province are simply too different to be used as an example of "everything goes smoothly" for buyers of prefabricated houses. Smaller companies have completely different working conditions. They usually obtain their materials in smaller quantities through local building material dealers and are not bound to suppliers and contracts that are only capable of producing and delivering large, consistent quantities. These are completely different logistics chains. Apples are being compared to pears.

I think we can save ourselves further comments. The builders just want to hear that they are victims of an incompetent house provider who maliciously delays construction to make more money. Because with others it works. How anyone can start building in 2022 and think that everything will be finished in less than a year is almost denial of reality.

Unfortunately, this is also due to the fact that most builders nowadays come from industries that scarcely deal with such things anymore. Although, if I need an eye doctor appointment today that isn't urgent, I also wait a solid 3-4 months. It's similar in court as well.

One of the main reasons to choose a prefabricated house provider was – at least for me – the ability to plan and the fixed timeframe. I too would be disappointed if it suddenly got postponed by half a year and would like to know the exact reason for this or if customers of other providers are struggling with the same difficulties to better assess the whole situation. As you already say, there can be several causes for this in the current situation that the construction company cannot help. But it could also be that they messed it up, right?

Could be, but doesn't have to be. The small contractor may have relationships that allow him to temporarily organize stock here and there. However, the longer such a crisis lasts, the more advantage large companies have. Simply because they can endure longer and put a completely different kind of pressure on suppliers. If a nationwide general contractor tells Vaillant, "Either we get our stuff first or we'll soon be looking around at Buderus" ... then Vaillant will certainly not serve the smaller craftsmen first...