ᐅ The windows are smaller than specified in the building permit/planning permission or construction plans.

Pinkiponk schrieb:

How is this a classic? I’m asking because I want to avoid the above-mentioned situation.

Because the house apparently (according to the original poster) was only carefully inspected after the final handover. That’s why it is common to bring a building expert during the construction phase or at least before the final inspection. Of course, you can also walk through the house during the construction phase—which doesn’t last just three days—with open eyes, a tape measure, and a camera, and engage with the house.

Sometimes I feel that customers spend more time researching their new phone or TV than their house.

Pinkiponk schrieb:

Once again, I am shocked by this topic. As a layperson project owner, do I really have to crawl into every corner of the construction site every day and measure everything down to the centimeter? I simply don't understand this entire industry. I consider it normal that people do their job well, correctly, and without errors (with a few exceptions), but in the construction industry, it seems to be the opposite.

Check everything that is important to you yourself. Many people work on a house, there may be old plans still in circulation, or someone might have a bad day. What matters is not whether mistakes happen, but how they are handled. With almost all the companies involved in our project, there were no arguments—they are used to making corrections.

Our windows were also different from the plans. A quick phone call and it was fixed the next day. If you don’t keep an eye on things, the mistakes just remain.

The customer is usually not familiar with this. They typically buy finished industrial products. Hardly anyone has experience with craftsmanship beyond minor repairs at a quick-service shop.

To everyone reading this: Be involved in your construction project as much as possible. Don’t rely solely on building inspectors, technical inspection associations, or the site supervisor. Watch closely, ask questions, ask early, is this being done correctly? Is it being done as discussed? etc.

And support the workers on site with coffee, cake, water, non-alcoholic beer, and tips.

nordanney schrieb:

Sometimes I feel that customers spend more time researching their new phone or TV than their house.

I can relate to that, but I believe most people, especially those building a house, trust that others will do their job as well as they do theirs. Who among us wants to be constantly monitored and treated with suspicion at work? I know dealing with construction companies or agents isn’t any different, but I find it one of the hardest aspects of building a house. For me personally, it takes away the enjoyment of the project to have to constantly check whether others are doing a good job or not and point out mistakes, which goes against my nature. As I mentioned, we have (at least) an expert handling that for us, but it still isn’t pleasant and dims my overall enthusiasm.

Hello,

Pinkiponk schrieb:

As a non-professional builder, do I really have to crawl into every corner of the construction site every day and measure everything down to the centimeter?

Simple answer: Yes, you do, if you want the house you ordered and paid for, not one where the tradespeople “optimistically” adjusted things just because they didn’t want the hassle of cutting some bricks to the specified dimensions.

During the shell construction phase, finding errors is still relatively easy; a simple tape measure is all you need. It gets much more challenging when checking later trades like electrical and plumbing...

Merry Christmas!
Best regards,
Andreas

Nordlys schrieb:

...
And provide the workers on site with coffee, cake, water, non-alcoholic beer, and tips.

I will definitely do that. I’m already thinking about how often I can show up each week without the workers feeling watched or micromanaged. I might also set up one of those single-cup coffee machines, since temporary power and water are already available on site.