ᐅ Is it acceptable to pay an extra charge for a light gray exterior facade?

Hello dear forum members,

we are building with a local general contractor. When asking about a light gray exterior facade, an additional charge of 3500€ would apply.
An acquaintance (also in the construction industry) mentioned that such light shades should not incur extra costs.
I would like to hear more experiences and opinions – is this normal or not?

Our scope of work description states the following:
"The mineral-based exterior plaster will be applied as a white fine plaster over a full-surface base coat. To prevent cracking, different types of substrates will be properly reinforced. The surface will be textured with a grain size of 2–3mm (0.08–0.12 inches)."

Thank you and best regards

KnibbelDibbel schrieb:

An acquaintance (also in the construction industry) said that such light tones should not be charged for.

Then ask him where that is stated. As far as I know, we still have freedom of contract in Germany 😉
Any general contractor can offer a specification different from the building performance description if they want. It’s a proposal from the general contractor – you don't have to accept it.

In our case, all colors had a light reflectance value over 30. But as the previous poster already mentioned: The contract can also state that you want "Mettwurst" as a sanitary color. Freedom of contract 4 the win.

Benutzer200 schrieb:

Then ask him where that is stated. As far as I know, we still have freedom of contract here in Germany 😉
Any general contractor can offer equipment different from the scope of work specification as they wish. It’s an offer from the general contractor – you don’t have to accept it.

Maybe "allowed" was not the best word choice. Of course he is allowed to charge for that; the question is more how fair it is and whether we can possibly negotiate it. 😉

Fairness only exists in sports.
You can try to negotiate, but you have a very weak bargaining position.

KnibbelDibbel schrieb:

A friend (also working in the construction industry) said that such light tones are not allowed to be charged.

The prohibition on additional charges for light tones from 1871 applies only to areas west of the Rhine River, mainly in Protestant communities.

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