ᐅ Removal of the crane from the sidewalk / pavement

xMisterDx schrieb:

That's almost childishly naive, sorry. In which industry does that actually happen?

I worked for a long time in a university research team. In my experience, almost everyone always gave their best. I also get this impression, for example, from medical practices (I have public health insurance. ;-) ). Off the top of my head, I can’t think of any industry where this isn’t the case—except maybe real estate agents.

WilderSueden schrieb:

However, I can only strongly recommend that the original poster contact the authority by phone and explain the situation.

Unfortunately, the authority has already communicated in writing that it is disappointed with the communication and assessment of the situation by the person responsible on his behalf. They are aware of the situation. Or are you referring to the sympathy factor because the original poster would have to travel a long way to personally get involved? – They are quite right to expect him to appoint a responsible representative locally. Of course, the ruler has a long journey if his steward is no good, but then he has to replace him. The building municipality cannot bear the consequences if an obligated person (after all, reasonable conditions) just sits back and does nothing.

Pinkiponk schrieb:

I worked for a long time in a research team at a university. In my experience, almost everyone always gave their best. And that’s also the impression I have, for example, of medical practices (I have statutory health insurance. ;-) ). Actually, I can’t think of any industry now, except real estate agents, where that’s not the case.

To continue your analogy: the person with statutory insurance here is the road safety at the construction site street, and in the doctor’s office, the builder is not having a qualified nurse draw blood from the patient, but a real estate agent. Does it become that clear that this cannot continue, and that the medical association should actually threaten Dr. Builder with revocation of his license?

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

During my house construction, I coordinated early on with the authorities in an open, cooperative, and reliable manner, and I have no regrets. A spiteful neighbor filed complaints against me with the district office almost weekly, but all were immediately dismissed. Occasionally, an inspector did come to the construction site—they measured everything, confirmed the accuracy, and also rejected the neighbor’s last complaint. Every office had our phone number, and in the municipality it was clear that a call to us would resolve any issues. This approach proved effective.

We dealt frequently with the municipality, for example regarding the crane, but also with minor matters like relocating a portable toilet by 1m (3 feet). I have to say: I am the client, so I accept responsibility first and foremost. Of course, I have a general contractor, but it is truly in my best interest to closely supervise the work every single day to make sure no mistakes happen. These could be construction defects, misinterpretations of requirements, or anything else. It is absolutely in my own interest to ensure this does not occur.

Sorry, but anyone who cannot or does not want to supervise their construction is better off purchasing an existing property.

Pinkiponk schrieb:

I worked for a long time in a university research team. In my experience, almost everyone there always did their best. I also get that impression from medical practices (I have public health insurance. ;-) ). To be honest, I can’t think of any industry right now—except real estate agents—where that isn’t the case.

I’m familiar with the environment of “university research” as well. It has nothing to do with real life. People there have chosen a job where they work 50+ hours but only get paid for 20. Of course, they are really skilled and motivated, otherwise, they wouldn’t be there.

Why you haven’t noticed this yet in medical assistants, I don’t know. But as soon as you commission contractors or deal with a change of caseworker at government offices, you realize that competence is very unevenly distributed. The same goes for enthusiasm.

HeimatBauer schrieb:

Sorry, but anyone who cannot or does not want to supervise their construction is better off buying an existing property.

Well, yes and no. The original poster (OP) and his friend did supervise, and they were building a detached house on a plot suitable for a semi-detached house, which was the type of plot they were looking for. In my opinion, their main fundamental mistake was assuming the site was already leveled and ready for building without any issues, which did not reflect reality. Out of continued naivety, they trusted a contractor who pretended to be competent in this regard. An independent architect could have recognized early on that this self-assessment was unrealistic given the complicated situation. I could also have given the OP more warnings earlier if he hadn’t revealed bit by bit what kind of risky undertaking he was planning.

To recap: the initial question concerned the conversion of an existing garage. At that stage, there was only the desire to build a semi-detached house. I only learned about the madness of a deep demolition right next to a neighboring property with a shared boundary when it was already underway, and secondly about the construction manager’s incompetence, and thirdly that the OP had entered the project without having hired an independent architect. So the OP was basically sleeping with rose-colored glasses on until the crumbling sidewalk woke him up—or rather, as I should say, “dragged him into a half-sleep.” He is still hoping that choosing the contractor was just a bad dream that can be chased away by singing nursery rhymes. No amount of Doornkaat (a German spirit) could prevent me from having a backache just reading about it ;-)

I can’t imagine any building site near which a retired civil engineer couldn’t be found who, for some extra recognition or a small fee, would sound the alarm like added value on a live webcam if nothing but playing happens in the sandbox.

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

Pinkiponk schrieb:

We were always available as contact persons for all topics but avoided giving the impression that we were trying to supervise anything.

Well, it’s really not about supervision, but rather communication, having a contact person, and showing interest in the ongoing construction.
You can’t just schedule the house build for Monday and Thursday – building a house feels like a year-long commitment. If you find some gaps for other enjoyable things, that’s great, but your calendar and your mind should be focused on the house build.

Pinkiponk schrieb:

My husband and/or I were regularly on site too, but "really" just to replenish drinks, food, etc.

This, for example, is a good point about what you do instead of “supervising.” Gaining an overview naturally happens along the way.
After all, you are the client, not the excavation contractor or the general contractor.