Work contract - New construction single-family house Single-family house

Hello everyone, a new single-family house is planned. From a developer who is also selling us the land. So we would be tied to the developer for the construction. Now the conclusion of the contract is imminent. However, we would like to include some things in the contract for work or in the construction description. For example, the additional earthworks or higher prices for tiles. Our position is not very favorable, because it kind of looks like "take it or leave it - if you don’t want it like that, the next interested party is already lining up!" But we do not want to accept everything like that and pay extra for everything... especially since this should be handled with additional agreements after the contract is signed. We want to negotiate beforehand! Does anyone have tips on how this could be done most skillfully in our position? Would it be an option to say that otherwise we will award various trades elsewhere? Should these trades actually be removed before signing or only later? We are grateful for any tips! Best regards

Hello,

first of all, there is a user here who likes to check your contracts against payment very precisely. I have used this myself :)

We were also in the same situation as you. Indeed, take it or leave it. The developer also deliberately said we choose the party. Although our construction standard was already very high. You have to weigh what you get for your money. If you say you want earthworks included, but the price doesn't allow for it, why should such an expensive construction phase be borne by the developer?

Basically, you shouldn’t escalate everything but push forward and bring in your wishes and negotiate. If in the end you have to pay extra for some things, it’s not ideal, but it also goes into the loan value assessment at the bank (small consolation).

We also had special requests. About 65% were paid by us, the rest by the developer. Even during the construction phase, he shows flexibility. However, we also know that he builds at a high price. So there is a margin.

Thanks in advance for the contribution. :)

The earthworks were just an example. We already know that a bit more needs to be excavated - test drilling has already been done. But there are countless other examples. We have spoken with other builders who built with the same company and they were able to negotiate quite a bit in advance. However, they were in a somewhat "better" position because they were not dependent on exactly this construction company.
For us, it looks different because the plot is ideally located for us, comparatively inexpensive, and demand is extremely high.
But that's just by the way. ;)

We plan to use [Bauherren-Schutzbund]. Especially because we don't have much knowledge and, to put it bluntly, feel like we have our backs against the wall, we want someone by our side.

I think we will talk to the independent advisor and then pass on our wishes to the company. Then they should give us an offer for what they can provide. And maybe [Bauherren-Schutzbund] will give us some tips or a brilliant idea will come from here. Otherwise, we will probably have to bite the bullet if it is worth it to us.

But back to the trades – if we want to assign the electrical work elsewhere, for example because we know someone, etc. – should we remove that before signing the contract?

Hello,

honestly, if I already had such concerns before signing the contract about whether I would be treated fairly by the company, I would seriously reconsider whether the company is the right partner for me.

Ideal property or not, I would not feel comfortable in this situation.

Basically, it is advisable to regulate as much as possible already in the contract - some companies are said to tend to price special requests significantly higher after the buyer’s signature and to reduce compensations by a substantial amount.

Regards,

Dirk

It's actually not about distrust. The company has existed for over 30 years and poor work would have long since affected reputation and order situation. I just feel overwhelmed and slightly stressed with everything right now. ;-) I just want to do everything right for us, that worries me. Our construction description is not so bad either and we also feel well taken care of. I could only sleep more peacefully if I roughly think we are doing it right. ;-)

Hello,

as I said, personally I would try to regulate as much as possible already in the construction contract. We also had the construction service description supplemented according to our wishes before signing the contract and had the resulting costs clearly defined in the contract.

You write in the first post that you want to negotiate beforehand - that is, in my opinion, the right and mutually acceptable approach.

Negotiations about the price are one thing, but talk to the supervisor about, for example, an "Ausstattungsguthaben" that is already defined in the contract. With that, you could fulfill one or the other special wish, and it hurts the construction company less than a price reduction of the same amount...

Regards,

Dirk