TV show about the tricks in construction...

Yes, we had the topic, several times :) I just don't always really know if it has to do with "not understanding." Which is okay. Maybe it's just the lack of questioning why and how this and that is/planned and implemented.

Unfortunately, none of that helps with bad craftsmen. As a client, no matter what you do, you are at the mercy of their arbitrariness.

Well-made report that presents a one-sided picture. One can learn a few things from the cases shown:

[*]As a client, it makes sense to be on the construction site more often. With a good tone, this is also perfectly acceptable for the craftsmen. [*]Giving preference to a company that has to travel a long way for everything is a rather problematic solution. [*]Defects should be reported in a timely manner and in the contractually stipulated form. [*]New decisions during construction can mean money and delay.

What I keep noticing is that there is a tenor of "client" versus "craftsman" or "layman" versus "professional." Under these conditions, one should not even start a construction project together. When we go to the construction site, we look very closely and address ambiguities or errors. But we also always try to find things that are going well and address those as well. You can defend yourself against many things, but not against praise...

Yes, we had the topic, several times :)

I just don’t always really know if it has something to do with "not understanding." Which is okay. Maybe it’s just the lack of questioning why and how this and that is/planned and implemented.

Example: whether Katja Sprint or something similar belongs under your floor insulation, you as a layperson don’t know that, right? If he leaves that out, how are you supposed to know that it has to go there unless you really read up on every topic?

That’s not a big deal yet, but if the wrong foil is used on the roof, it is... and you want to tell me you read through it and know about it?

Well-made report that paints a one-sided picture. You can learn a few things from the cases shown:

[*]As a client, it makes sense to be on the construction site more often. With a good tone of communication, this is perfectly fine for the craftsmen.
[*]Giving preference to a company that has to travel a long way for everything is a rather problematic solution.
[*]Defects should be reported in a timely manner and in the contractually stipulated form.
[*]New decisions during construction can mean costs and delays.

What I keep noticing is that there is a tenor of "client" against "craftsman" or "layman" against "professional." Under these conditions, you shouldn't even start a construction project together.

When we go to the construction site, we look very carefully and address any uncertainties or errors. But we also always try to find the things that are going well and mention those as well. You can defend yourself against many things, but not against praise...

Yes, that came across too. All craftsmen gangster

Example: whether something like Katja Sprint belongs under your floor insulation, you as a layman wouldn't know that, right? If it's left out, how are you supposed to know it has to be there unless you really read up on every topic?

That's not a big deal yet, but if the wrong membrane is used on the roof, it is... and you want to tell me you read through it and know what’s going on?

You picked two examples again :cool:.

@Floor construction: The structure was specified by the energy consultant. The documents stated the type and thickness of the insulation and screed below and above the floor slab, as well as the sealing. I asked the rough carpenter and the plumber what that was. The plumber named three possibilities: foil, Katja, and something else. So the information was there. The construction coordinator told us how to lay what.

@Roof: Each trade provided detailed offers. For the roof, I simply googled the materials if I didn’t know what they were for.

I did that for every trade.
Of course, that doesn't work with a general contractor or a construction service description. You have to rely on everything fitting because you simply don't have the insight.

Sure, I don’t understand everything immediately and usually only understood the respective positions from the offer during installation.

My situation is just special. We only built based on input planning + execution planning by the structural engineer. The architect was out after the building permit.

Yes, then you shouldn't generalize so much if your situation is so special....

Yes, everything that happens there has been countersigned by the builder, but whether the builder can check all of that, I dare to doubt....
For the most part, you also rely on the statements of your tradespeople / specialists.

So if your carpenter is of the opinion that the foil is the right one and your construction coordinator also agrees, then you rely on that. And you can be wrong. And then I find your statement that turnkey delivery does not protect against stupidity somehow not so appropriate.... because as a layperson you can't oversee it at all...

You can only rely on it and be lucky or you inform yourself about everything and every step and become an expert yourself.