Hello everyone,
Since July, we have had our approved building permit / planning permission, but since then, absolutely nothing has happened on the part of the home builder (prefabricated house). No planning is being done until the selection appointment, and we have now been given an appointment for this in February 2023.
The original timeline was for the basement in December 2022, the house about 4-6 weeks later, and moving in roughly April-May 2023.
Now we are being told that the basement will arrive at the earliest 2-3 months after the selection appointment, the house will be delivered not 4-6 weeks later as originally planned, but in 5-6 months, and the finishing work will take not 3-4 months but rather about 6 months.
Overall, this means that it could be a whole year later before we can move in than originally agreed.
We have a construction contract under the building code. Unfortunately, the contract does not say a word about delivery or move-in dates (I know, we were quite naive and foolish to trust the sales representative so much).
All of this is repeatedly explained by missing materials and supply problems, although we actually believe that the builder overcommitted with orders, took on way too much (before everything completely collapses), and now cannot deliver quickly enough.
(Of course, we are also struggling with costs and cannot and do not want to just stand by. Losing the subsidy hit us pretty hard, then of course the general price increases — from June 2023 we will have to pay the full loan plus our current rent, and from November 2023, also default interest at the bank. The kitchen is scheduled for delivery in May 2023, which will bring price increases and storage costs to us, and as I said, the selection appointment hasn’t even happened yet—we don’t even want to know the prices for floor coverings and such.)
What I really want to know from you is: what is the actual current situation regarding raw materials? I have lost track and hear here and there that things have actually stabilized. Sure, it’s not like before (order today, arrive tomorrow), but if you plan smartly, you can usually get your materials on time. It’s no surprise anymore that if I need insulation for a house in four weeks, it will work out.
What can you tell me about this? Is the delivery situation still as bad out there?
Best regards
Since July, we have had our approved building permit / planning permission, but since then, absolutely nothing has happened on the part of the home builder (prefabricated house). No planning is being done until the selection appointment, and we have now been given an appointment for this in February 2023.
The original timeline was for the basement in December 2022, the house about 4-6 weeks later, and moving in roughly April-May 2023.
Now we are being told that the basement will arrive at the earliest 2-3 months after the selection appointment, the house will be delivered not 4-6 weeks later as originally planned, but in 5-6 months, and the finishing work will take not 3-4 months but rather about 6 months.
Overall, this means that it could be a whole year later before we can move in than originally agreed.
We have a construction contract under the building code. Unfortunately, the contract does not say a word about delivery or move-in dates (I know, we were quite naive and foolish to trust the sales representative so much).
All of this is repeatedly explained by missing materials and supply problems, although we actually believe that the builder overcommitted with orders, took on way too much (before everything completely collapses), and now cannot deliver quickly enough.
(Of course, we are also struggling with costs and cannot and do not want to just stand by. Losing the subsidy hit us pretty hard, then of course the general price increases — from June 2023 we will have to pay the full loan plus our current rent, and from November 2023, also default interest at the bank. The kitchen is scheduled for delivery in May 2023, which will bring price increases and storage costs to us, and as I said, the selection appointment hasn’t even happened yet—we don’t even want to know the prices for floor coverings and such.)
What I really want to know from you is: what is the actual current situation regarding raw materials? I have lost track and hear here and there that things have actually stabilized. Sure, it’s not like before (order today, arrive tomorrow), but if you plan smartly, you can usually get your materials on time. It’s no surprise anymore that if I need insulation for a house in four weeks, it will work out.
What can you tell me about this? Is the delivery situation still as bad out there?
Best regards
But the interior window sill doesn’t have to hold up the entire construction site. It can be installed at the very end if necessary. This is more a matter of inflexibility regarding the execution.
But yes, to answer the original poster’s question: from what people report, certain components tend to be challenging. Clay roof tiles, windows (glass), heat pumps, and inverters. However, with enough lead time, it’s manageable, or alternatively, it may cost more.
Wood and steel are said to be more or less less problematic, even in terms of pricing.
But yes, to answer the original poster’s question: from what people report, certain components tend to be challenging. Clay roof tiles, windows (glass), heat pumps, and inverters. However, with enough lead time, it’s manageable, or alternatively, it may cost more.
Wood and steel are said to be more or less less problematic, even in terms of pricing.
Thank you for all your responses in such a short time!
Regarding the fixed price, we initially had concerns as well. It is valid for 12 months, so it would expire this November (2022). However, the contract states "if caused by the client." Therefore, we believe (and hope) that they won’t come back with additional charges now. If they do, we would immediately consult a lawyer... Price increases would then apply every 3 months at a rate of 2%. We are definitely curious about that...
Unfortunately, there is also nothing about construction timelines in the contract (I can hardly believe how foolish we were)...
Regarding the fixed price, we initially had concerns as well. It is valid for 12 months, so it would expire this November (2022). However, the contract states "if caused by the client." Therefore, we believe (and hope) that they won’t come back with additional charges now. If they do, we would immediately consult a lawyer... Price increases would then apply every 3 months at a rate of 2%. We are definitely curious about that...
Unfortunately, there is also nothing about construction timelines in the contract (I can hardly believe how foolish we were)...
S
Stefan00119 Oct 2022 09:12Does anyone know what a consumer construction contract requires if nothing is specified?
This is actually a gap that should be addressed by lawmakers.
A good solution for homebuilders could be that if no duration is stated, the contractor is obliged to complete the work within 1 year.
The idea wouldn’t be that the construction must actually be finished within one year, but that the contractor is forced to include a realistic schedule in the contract. I believe the biggest problem is that most homebuilders don’t realize such a provision is missing.
This is actually a gap that should be addressed by lawmakers.
A good solution for homebuilders could be that if no duration is stated, the contractor is obliged to complete the work within 1 year.
The idea wouldn’t be that the construction must actually be finished within one year, but that the contractor is forced to include a realistic schedule in the contract. I believe the biggest problem is that most homebuilders don’t realize such a provision is missing.
W
WilderSueden19 Oct 2022 09:26Tolentino schrieb:
But the installation of the interior window sill doesn’t have to hold up the construction site. If necessary, it can be installed at the very end. It mainly comes down to inflexibility in the execution. Yes, of course. What I mainly wanted to say with this is that the construction time mostly depends on how well the builder is organized and less on the availability of specific parts. Clay roof tiles are an exception—those are probably not even available to order anymore.
S
SaniererNRW12319 Oct 2022 09:52Stefan001 schrieb:
Does anyone have an idea what a consumer construction contract provides for if nothing is specified?It is regulated by law. That is why I asked if any timelines were mentioned before signing the contract. You haven’t answered that yet.
Otherwise, case law sets the deadlines.
You should definitely discuss this with a lawyer.
M
Myrna_Loy19 Oct 2022 09:55WilderSueden schrieb:
Yes, of course. What I mainly meant to say is that the construction time depends mostly on how well the builder is organized and less on the availability of certain parts. Clay roof tiles aside, which probably can’t even be ordered anymore.The construction time also depends on how many skilled workers are available. Companies were already struggling to find enough staff before the pandemic, and since then, employees have continuously been absent. And yes, this includes the long term as well. All the firms we work with are struggling because employees are out sick with long COVID. A carpenter simply can’t work on a roof with heart arrhythmia. And throwing more money at the problem or sending the bank’s lawyers to warm up won’t help either.