Häuslebauer40
2012-02-29 13:40:35
- #1
No problem, construction expert.
One should always stick to the truth. It makes no sense to dramatize something if that is not the case, and even an annoyed client should try to remain somewhat objective despite all the difficulties. It can often be helpful to simply switch from emotional back to logical thinking.
Although I must say that even the contractor, although convinced of his performance, felt a small stone lifted from his heart.
For the sake of honesty, it should also be said that I informed the experts right at the beginning that it was not about throwing the contractor under the bus with a whole litany of defects, which can certainly always be found if one wants to and if every DIN standard is applied to the letter, but rather about finding a common solution on how to get the project moving as quickly as possible so that it can continue. And I am, after all, the last person to be unwilling to compromise, as long as it serves the progress of the work. For example, a corner in the drywall of the dormer was not properly executed, meaning the corner joint is simply not exactly in the corner. A purely optical defect. Regardless of the fact that the lining of the dormer in the entrance area (hip roof with gallery in the entrance) is already demanding for the drywallers, even the managing director of the contractor said yesterday that the panels in the corner area should be taken out again and redone. I then replied that they should leave it as it is. The wall will not be set off by color, if everything is white no one will see it anymore and in half a year no one will be looking there anyway. So, what would it bring, except a delay... Or take a similar misplanning of the utility room, which perhaps only a few clients would have tolerated. The utility room was planned by the architect so that the heating system, washing machine, dryer, and freezer would fit in. In reality, the heating system stands about 25 cm further into the room than planned by the architect, and the freezer door simply no longer fully opens. During an on-site appointment, everyone stood there puzzled and pondered what could be done. Suggestions ranged from rotating the heating system (which was already in operation) to moving a wall. I then said: "Why don’t you just install two additional sockets free of charge in the storage room and we put the freezer in there?" Everyone present visibly sighed with relief. It doesn’t matter if the thing is on the ground floor or in the attic. Now I do also go down to the cellar when I need something from the freezer. You don’t go there every day anyway.
Perhaps these examples and the following appeal are also helpful for other clients:
Do not be too ready to compromise when it comes to essentials, such as the building fabric and professional execution, but be somewhat more lenient with inconsequential things. That saves time and significantly spares the nerves.
Nevertheless, I am still a little bit annoyed. I would have found it constructive if the planners/architects of the contractor had pointed out at the beginning that moisture problems often occur with winter construction sites. Then we would have simply started in March or April and that would have been fine. I wouldn’t have minded at all. But apparently here the focus was first on selling a house and they probably (unjustifiably) feared that I might change my mind until then. Whereas I would have had no problem signing the contract before winter and starting the construction only in March.
But now it is what it is, and hopefully we will make the best of it.
Kind regards
One should always stick to the truth. It makes no sense to dramatize something if that is not the case, and even an annoyed client should try to remain somewhat objective despite all the difficulties. It can often be helpful to simply switch from emotional back to logical thinking.
Although I must say that even the contractor, although convinced of his performance, felt a small stone lifted from his heart.
For the sake of honesty, it should also be said that I informed the experts right at the beginning that it was not about throwing the contractor under the bus with a whole litany of defects, which can certainly always be found if one wants to and if every DIN standard is applied to the letter, but rather about finding a common solution on how to get the project moving as quickly as possible so that it can continue. And I am, after all, the last person to be unwilling to compromise, as long as it serves the progress of the work. For example, a corner in the drywall of the dormer was not properly executed, meaning the corner joint is simply not exactly in the corner. A purely optical defect. Regardless of the fact that the lining of the dormer in the entrance area (hip roof with gallery in the entrance) is already demanding for the drywallers, even the managing director of the contractor said yesterday that the panels in the corner area should be taken out again and redone. I then replied that they should leave it as it is. The wall will not be set off by color, if everything is white no one will see it anymore and in half a year no one will be looking there anyway. So, what would it bring, except a delay... Or take a similar misplanning of the utility room, which perhaps only a few clients would have tolerated. The utility room was planned by the architect so that the heating system, washing machine, dryer, and freezer would fit in. In reality, the heating system stands about 25 cm further into the room than planned by the architect, and the freezer door simply no longer fully opens. During an on-site appointment, everyone stood there puzzled and pondered what could be done. Suggestions ranged from rotating the heating system (which was already in operation) to moving a wall. I then said: "Why don’t you just install two additional sockets free of charge in the storage room and we put the freezer in there?" Everyone present visibly sighed with relief. It doesn’t matter if the thing is on the ground floor or in the attic. Now I do also go down to the cellar when I need something from the freezer. You don’t go there every day anyway.
Perhaps these examples and the following appeal are also helpful for other clients:
Do not be too ready to compromise when it comes to essentials, such as the building fabric and professional execution, but be somewhat more lenient with inconsequential things. That saves time and significantly spares the nerves.
Nevertheless, I am still a little bit annoyed. I would have found it constructive if the planners/architects of the contractor had pointed out at the beginning that moisture problems often occur with winter construction sites. Then we would have simply started in March or April and that would have been fine. I wouldn’t have minded at all. But apparently here the focus was first on selling a house and they probably (unjustifiably) feared that I might change my mind until then. Whereas I would have had no problem signing the contract before winter and starting the construction only in March.
But now it is what it is, and hopefully we will make the best of it.
Kind regards