ᐅ TV show about tips and tricks for building a house...

And then mistakes happen.

I would say that everyone who has moved in thinks at some point, "I should have been more careful here," or "I should have informed myself better," and so on. Not that there are major damages, just small issues that you’re not completely satisfied with.

We might build something again in a few years. With this project, I learned an incredible amount. It definitely won’t happen to me again.
The (construction) world is basically quite tough on the client, especially when they are as naive as I was, thinking: I hand over good, flawless money and expect good, flawless work in return. Most craftsmen just kind of muddle along with the attitude: "It’ll somehow work out; we’ve always done it this way. Give us your money and don’t bother us." Exceptions only prove the rule... I really wish everyone who is about to build or has to build a lot of luck!!

@berny
I think I read something recently; unfortunately, quite a few things went wrong for you.

There’s an old saying: you build your first house for your enemy, your second house for a friend, and your third house for yourself.
There have probably always been problems.

HilfeHilfe schrieb:

The guy with the wall in the bathroom. Yeah, OK, if someone placed one brick too far, it was then corrected.

Yes, indeed quite a ridiculous problem 😉

Zaba12 schrieb:

You just have to remember that, although everyone tends to complain about the general contractor and the trades in general, almost everything is countersigned and has to be checked by the builder themselves. Turnkey delivery doesn’t protect you from mistakes. 😎

Sure, because every layperson easily understands what they’re signing… irony off.

We’ve discussed this before; I still believe that going to a general contractor is like going to a doctor. These are complex trades that require years of experience or even a degree. My expectation is that they know better than I do because they have done it 100 times, whereas I have not done it once.

I keep being shocked at how much the law leaves you on your own...
For example, if you’re sued because you didn’t pay a bill in full due to a defect, the process might determine that a defect actually exists and the bill doesn’t have to be paid. But if the defect is bigger than the withheld amount and this is confirmed in the process, the claimant does not automatically get the additional sum awarded—instead, you have to file a separate lawsuit to claim it.

And all those deadline extensions mentioned in the post? They should be prohibited...

The general contractor is better positioned than the builder who can’t move into their house… they let time work in their favor…

Yes, we have discussed this topic several times 🙂

Snowy36 schrieb:

Of course, because every layperson easily understands what they are signing... irony off.

We've talked about this before. I still believe I approach the general contractor (GC) the same way I go to a doctor. These are complex trades that require years of experience or formal education. My expectation is that they know more than I do since they have done this 100 times and I haven’t done it even once.

I am constantly shocked at how much the legal system leaves you on your own...
For example, if you are sued because you withheld part of a payment due to a defect, the court may find that there is indeed a defect and that the payment does not have to be made. If the defect’s cost is higher than the withheld amount and this is confirmed in court, the plaintiff does not automatically get to claim the difference. No, you have to file a separate lawsuit for that.

And all those deadline extensions mentioned in the post should be banned...

The GC is in a better position than the homeowner who can’t move into their house... and uses time to their advantage...

I just don’t always know if it’s a matter of “not understanding,” which is okay. Maybe it’s simply a lack of questioning why and how certain things were planned and executed.