ᐅ Building a house from a distance. New construction located 300 km away.
Created on: 26 Jan 2019 21:46
3
37308Hausbau
Hello,
to all homeowners. I hope you can help me with your experience. My girlfriend and I have already had several consultation meetings with different companies. We already have a plot of land, and once we have sorted out the financing, we could actually start with our preferred general contractor. However, there is a significant problem. Our current place of residence is about 300 km (186 miles) away from the new build.
Advisors from some companies say it is not a problem at all to build from a distance. However, I have my doubts. Therefore, my question to you is: to what extent is the homeowner involved in the construction of a single-family house (appointments/tasks/etc.)?
to all homeowners. I hope you can help me with your experience. My girlfriend and I have already had several consultation meetings with different companies. We already have a plot of land, and once we have sorted out the financing, we could actually start with our preferred general contractor. However, there is a significant problem. Our current place of residence is about 300 km (186 miles) away from the new build.
Advisors from some companies say it is not a problem at all to build from a distance. However, I have my doubts. Therefore, my question to you is: to what extent is the homeowner involved in the construction of a single-family house (appointments/tasks/etc.)?
We bought from the developer. Although it was in the same town, we were hardly ever on the construction site (we wouldn’t have had any say anyway). During the material selection phase, for example, it was decided right away how and where the tiles would be laid, the direction of the parquet flooring, and so on. That all went smoothly. The only issue is that we are not satisfied with the quality; for that, you probably need to supervise the work every day.
C
Caspar202028 Jan 2019 08:10Niloa schrieb:
We bought from the developer.Niloa schrieb:
The only issue is that we are not satisfied with the quality; probably you have to check the work every day for that.If it is a genuine developer, you usually are not allowed to enter the construction site every day.
Caspar2020 schrieb:
If it’s a genuine developer, you are usually not allowed to enter the construction site every day. Exactly, that’s what I meant—we wouldn’t have had any say anyway.
@37308Hausbau: It might possibly be difficult. We were over 500 km (310 miles) away. General contractor: "No problem at all, we've done this many times before, you just need to pack your bags and move in." All lies.
Today we do live in the house, but we experienced major schedule delays and quality issues along the way. Lawyer, expert inspections, all very expensive. Then, at the final invoice, we withheld a few percent due to extra work, the general contractor sued us, and right now settlement negotiations are ongoing between the lawyers. Conclusion: Include every, really every small detail in the contract and allow plenty of time and money. Building companies currently have fully booked order books; they quickly patch something together whenever they have free time and that's it. Very frustrating; if you can, wait a few years until this crazy construction boom calms down. Then companies might have more time (and thus more willingness to be thorough) for the homeowners.
Today we do live in the house, but we experienced major schedule delays and quality issues along the way. Lawyer, expert inspections, all very expensive. Then, at the final invoice, we withheld a few percent due to extra work, the general contractor sued us, and right now settlement negotiations are ongoing between the lawyers. Conclusion: Include every, really every small detail in the contract and allow plenty of time and money. Building companies currently have fully booked order books; they quickly patch something together whenever they have free time and that's it. Very frustrating; if you can, wait a few years until this crazy construction boom calms down. Then companies might have more time (and thus more willingness to be thorough) for the homeowners.
Niloa schrieb:
Exactly, that's what I mean—we wouldn’t have had any say anyway.A general contractor (GC) is not a property developer.
With a GC, you are very much the client and need to make decisions—not only during the selection of fixtures and finishes.
I visited the construction site at least twice every day and spoke a lot with the craftsmen. It seemed that whenever something wasn’t closely monitored, problems arose. In our case, it was the parquet flooring—I was bedridden with pneumonia at the time.
Friends of ours built with a general contractor and hardly ever visited the site. That’s why I’m opting for a turnkey build myself. Well, they are satisfied, but I would have developed gray hair and wouldn’t have approved certain work.
In short, the success largely depends on the general contractor and oneself.
If a good friend or family member could check the site every day, I think that would help. For questions, photos or WhatsApp can be used.
An expert should definitely be involved to supervise the construction stages.
Friends of ours built with a general contractor and hardly ever visited the site. That’s why I’m opting for a turnkey build myself. Well, they are satisfied, but I would have developed gray hair and wouldn’t have approved certain work.
In short, the success largely depends on the general contractor and oneself.
If a good friend or family member could check the site every day, I think that would help. For questions, photos or WhatsApp can be used.
An expert should definitely be involved to supervise the construction stages.
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