Traveling during the construction phase?

... "after" Corona we are all like that and just want to get out for once ...

The new era begins 1 a. Co. = 2022 AD (hopefully)

rather because we are totally curious about how it is growing

Yes, it is really great to be part of it and to see the progress from visit to visit.

The new era begins 1 n. Co. = 2022 AD (hopefully)

I’m in no hurry. Do you really want to go back to the situation where people keep a maximum distance of four centimeters at the supermarket checkout? – if someone said tomorrow “it was all just a dream, from now on the same procedure as if nothing was learned,” I wouldn’t see that as an advantage.

If you reduce your presence to the topic of catering, I agree with you. Appreciation feels good – and placing enough water, occasionally some fruit, or ordering pizza service when completing an intermediate step are just one means. Showing interest, saying thank you, giving praise (and there are plenty of opportunities for that), giving criticism immediately and constructively – that is important for a good result. What this has to do with your job and why you think you shouldn’t treat other people better, or according to your standards, than you are treated in your job is beyond me. If you already make this comparison – how much better many things in the job would go if there was more appreciation? Who feels comfortable working just for money? Do meaning and appreciation not play a role in your job?

That is just a very personal experience. We handled it the same way and still the performance of some craftsmen was absolutely abysmal. General contractors also build good houses and usually the client only comes in at the tile selection stage. Appreciation does not help if someone does not master their craft or works under extreme time pressure (the boss breathing down his crew’s neck). And there are far too many of those nowadays...

I have no idea about the foundation slab and basement at all. There have already been cases where it was poured/measured too small or too large. I walked through the basement with the laser measure and tried to compare everything with the plan.

Supports only came in for us during the masonry work and with the roofer, where we had to intervene. If it's just the foundation slab being poured and nothing happens afterwards, I would probably go on vacation and send your brother to take photos.

Inform the general contractor and the person doing the earthworks about the invoice and come to an agreement. My savings bank accepts a scanned invoice and my request to release the loan and transfer it directly. They trust my general contractor that everything is correct. I never had to do a construction progress report or anything like that. I would clarify that with the bank beforehand, if not already done, how they pay out or pay invoices.

Honestly: when friends who built their houses showed us their photos, we were more like "aha".. Because they also photographed every pipe, every wall, or the installation pattern of the underfloor heating in all rooms. It may be that some people are interested and look at the pictures afterwards, but that's not us. Surely, one or two pictures will be taken

Again about the photos, although it has already been said briefly:

I strongly urge you to take photos very regularly. Not to create an album. But guess how happy we already were twice, thanks to photos (and even with a photographed tape measure/dimensions in some places) exactly knowing which cable was where. A much better feeling than a cable locator. Also much better later in case of potential damage.

So please don’t belittle your friends - although maybe they should pick out a few individual pictures for the next party ;)