ᐅ Site manager missing

Good evening,

Rustlers schrieb:
Hello, I am currently building a prefabricated house. Unfortunately, the site manager at the construction company was dismissed. I simply lack a contact person. There are defects in the windows and drywall. Inquiries are either not answered or only partially responded to. Yet the construction scope clearly states: "A qualified site manager is responsible for supervising the trades we perform." And these trades are part of a turnkey house. Does anyone have advice on how I should proceed? ... now the managing director himself is acting as substitute site manager! But I can’t reach him by phone or email... it’s hopeless

If neither a site manager nor the managing director responds, your only option is to initiate the formal notice of defects procedure. You should use this to enforce compliance with the construction contract, setting a deadline.

Who is currently supervising the trades? Are any works still ongoing on the construction site?

Regards, Bauexperte

Hello,

Rustlers schrieb:
....The construction specification clearly states: "A qualified site manager is responsible for the site supervision of the trades carried out by us." And these trades are part of a turnkey house. Does anyone have advice on the best way to proceed?

Basically, you should be able to recognize conflicts of interest!
A site manager appointed by the seller and working for them will always represent the seller’s interests (must do so), not those of the homeowner!
If the site manager has "suddenly disappeared," this is a major warning sign to avoid making any further progress or final payments!
Suspicion of bankruptcy or insolvency of the general contractor!
If an assigned site manager has left the project so far, in > 99% of cases it is because they have not been paid!!! The rest can be counted on one hand!

Best regards.

Good evening €uro,

€uro schrieb:

A construction manager appointed by the seller, who is employed by them, will always represent the seller’s interests (must do so), not those of the client!

This is not fundamentally correct. Most general contractors basically work as shell builders and "purchase" the finishing trades externally. To implicitly assume a conflict of interest in this case is therefore incorrect, since the general contractor also depends on recommendations and only receives them if they *and* their construction manager do their job properly.

€uro schrieb:

If the “suddenly disappeared” construction manager, it is a significant warning sign to avoid further progress or final payments!

This is also not universally true; there are many “incompetents” who call themselves construction managers today. It may very well be that only the emergency brake has been pulled in this case.

€uro schrieb:

Suspicion of bankruptcy or insolvency of the general contractor!

€uro schrieb:

When an appointed construction manager has left the project so far, in over 99% of cases it is because they have not been paid!!! The rest can be counted on one hand!

There are quite a few of them—especially those who have switched from so-called low-cost providers—who almost 100% are not worth their money! It is by no means always the “bad” general contractor/provider who deserves to be marked with the red lantern.

Regards, Bauexperte

I believe contacting the managing director would be appropriate. It’s not acceptable to pay money and then have to deal with their problems and responsibilities.

I completely agree, and the managing director is the appropriate contact person. If they do not respond, then involve a lawyer. The lawyer will represent the interests of the property owners and initiate the necessary actions.