ᐅ Where did things go wrong for you? Issues encountered during home construction.
Created on: 27 Oct 2019 08:01
A
allstar83
Hello everyone,
I would like to know what situations you have experienced that caused problems during the construction process?
Perhaps they were even quite simple issues that could have been better clarified beforehand.
Thank you very much
I would like to know what situations you have experienced that caused problems during the construction process?
Perhaps they were even quite simple issues that could have been better clarified beforehand.
Thank you very much
Since we worked with a general contractor (GC), there was little need to coordinate the trades ourselves. All trades performed well and reliably, except for the flooring installer. Given the quality of what they delivered, they should hand in their certificates of qualification.
However, we also felt the effects of the construction boom. The roofer who worked on the house was supposed to seal the roofs of the existing buildings and connect them to the retaining wall. He said, literally, that it was too much work and he wasn’t interested. That was on October 4, 2017. In February 2018, through connections, we finally found someone else, and the job was completed in September 2019.
However, we also felt the effects of the construction boom. The roofer who worked on the house was supposed to seal the roofs of the existing buildings and connect them to the retaining wall. He said, literally, that it was too much work and he wasn’t interested. That was on October 4, 2017. In February 2018, through connections, we finally found someone else, and the job was completed in September 2019.
W
wurmwichtel29 Oct 2019 20:54- Concrete construction (reinforcement intentionally installed incorrectly; the second time he wanted to do the same mistake again)
- Bricklayer (wanted to skip the damp-proof course)
- Electrician (delivered wrong switch system, did not check electrical system for proper functioning → burnt cables, non-functional protective earth, agreements not followed)
- Plumbing/heating (handles of shut-off valves placed between pipes, pressure tests not performed, drains installed inaccessible behind heating system, ventilation pipes routed through the middle of the room)
- Plasterer (walls plastered unevenly and crooked – bulges up to 1cm (0.4 inches) over 70cm (28 inches), synthetic resin plaster used instead of agreed mineral plaster, windows not taped off and therefore scratched)
- Screed installer (laid 2cm (0.8 inches) more than calculated on the top floor, general contractor refused to provide structural proof)
I can’t recall everything anymore. But if the general contractor shows up at my place again, I’ll bury him on the property – it’s big enough.
Still, I would say that this general contractor is an exception. What’s really sad is that he advertises heavily on both radio, YouTube, and supposed building advice channels.
- Bricklayer (wanted to skip the damp-proof course)
- Electrician (delivered wrong switch system, did not check electrical system for proper functioning → burnt cables, non-functional protective earth, agreements not followed)
- Plumbing/heating (handles of shut-off valves placed between pipes, pressure tests not performed, drains installed inaccessible behind heating system, ventilation pipes routed through the middle of the room)
- Plasterer (walls plastered unevenly and crooked – bulges up to 1cm (0.4 inches) over 70cm (28 inches), synthetic resin plaster used instead of agreed mineral plaster, windows not taped off and therefore scratched)
- Screed installer (laid 2cm (0.8 inches) more than calculated on the top floor, general contractor refused to provide structural proof)
I can’t recall everything anymore. But if the general contractor shows up at my place again, I’ll bury him on the property – it’s big enough.
Still, I would say that this general contractor is an exception. What’s really sad is that he advertises heavily on both radio, YouTube, and supposed building advice channels.
M
Mottenhausen30 Oct 2019 10:05Things like:
- Tolerance of the screed installer --> "is okay and complies with DIN standards" is not sufficient for the flatness requirements of the tile installer, who is contracted separately for specific areas: expensive follow-up costs for leveling/sanding the uneven screed.
- Many aspects are not defined precisely enough in the contract: for example, the light reflectance value of the exterior wall paint or a freestanding bathtub (according to the contract) does not automatically include the freestanding faucet, even if placed centrally in the room --> additional costs everywhere, which add up over time.
- Sanitary equipment selection: significant markups by the executing company and the general contractor on the already expensive prices in a specialty bathroom supply store. This results in sometimes exorbitant prices for sanitary fixtures, supposedly justified by the "installation effort." Ridiculous!
- Discussion about "what exactly is Q3 on walls and ceilings?" Since DIN standards apply only to plastered walls and drywall, not to delicate ceilings. Here too, the contract should have been more detailed, for example: "Ceiling Q3 – fully skim-coated and sanded over the entire surface" instead of just "Ceiling in Q3."
- Overall, I would recommend including more details in the house building contract up to the move-in readiness stage (painting, exterior window sills at terrace doors, etc.), because before signing the contract, additional charges are reasonable (to avoid going to competitors). Any selections made AFTER the contract signing are, in my opinion, overpriced.
- In general, everyone advised us that no matter how well you plan, unexpected and annoying additional costs will always arise, meaning you have only one chance: plan for financial buffers, more buffers, and even more buffers. Only then can you stay relaxed about it.
- Tolerance of the screed installer --> "is okay and complies with DIN standards" is not sufficient for the flatness requirements of the tile installer, who is contracted separately for specific areas: expensive follow-up costs for leveling/sanding the uneven screed.
- Many aspects are not defined precisely enough in the contract: for example, the light reflectance value of the exterior wall paint or a freestanding bathtub (according to the contract) does not automatically include the freestanding faucet, even if placed centrally in the room --> additional costs everywhere, which add up over time.
- Sanitary equipment selection: significant markups by the executing company and the general contractor on the already expensive prices in a specialty bathroom supply store. This results in sometimes exorbitant prices for sanitary fixtures, supposedly justified by the "installation effort." Ridiculous!
- Discussion about "what exactly is Q3 on walls and ceilings?" Since DIN standards apply only to plastered walls and drywall, not to delicate ceilings. Here too, the contract should have been more detailed, for example: "Ceiling Q3 – fully skim-coated and sanded over the entire surface" instead of just "Ceiling in Q3."
- Overall, I would recommend including more details in the house building contract up to the move-in readiness stage (painting, exterior window sills at terrace doors, etc.), because before signing the contract, additional charges are reasonable (to avoid going to competitors). Any selections made AFTER the contract signing are, in my opinion, overpriced.
- In general, everyone advised us that no matter how well you plan, unexpected and annoying additional costs will always arise, meaning you have only one chance: plan for financial buffers, more buffers, and even more buffers. Only then can you stay relaxed about it.
Mottenhausen schrieb:
In my opinion, all upgrades requested AFTER signing the contract are overpriced.It probably depends on the construction partner. So far, from our perspective, I cannot confirm this, for example.
M
Mottenhausen30 Oct 2019 13:52haydee schrieb:
Me neither. We usually settled payments directly with the tradespeople.Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible with all trades...
Plumbing was also a negative exception here.
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