Hello everyone,
I hope you can give me some advice or tips.
We bought a house in shell condition and decided to have an architect handle the interior fit-out.
We have a budget X for the interior work, but there is no detailed breakdown of what may/can/should cost what.
We constantly have to chase the architect to get a price range for each item. For example, when buying tiles, he sends us to the hardware store but doesn’t tell us how much per square meter (square foot) they are allowed to cost. So, again, we have to call him back.
He orders a front door and sends us a photo. The door was white on both sides with frosted glass, but the one delivered was white on the inside and wood-like on the outside with clear window glass! We never wanted clear glass, and he knew that! More back and forth calls, and now we have to buy a film for the glass because the company doesn’t sell front doors with frosted glass. Great! That’s how the communication works.
Regarding the kitchen tile backsplash, we clearly explained multiple times how we want it. A few days later, the backsplash was done—but the way the architect wanted it, not as we agreed. So again, a phone call, and ultimately some tiles had to be removed and redone.
It’s getting frustrating!
And now we have the next problem:
The architect chose a sink, shower screen, wall-mounted toilet with seat, and other sanitary fixtures from a very expensive bathroom supplier. We didn’t know this. The bathtub is already installed—we didn’t see it beforehand, so once again, we weren’t consulted. When we looked at the sanitary fittings, it was an absolute no-go! Completely unsuitable in terms of style...
and price-wise, the cheapest of the cheap! If we were to pick what we want, of course, we wouldn’t reach the price in his current offer. We actually like sanitary fittings at hardware stores that are also much cheaper. He insists we must buy from this bathroom supplier and probably even the items he selected...
What can we do? What options do we even have? If that bathroom goes in with what he chose, I won’t move in... *sigh*
Unfortunately, we only have a work contract with him, and I fear we have to comply... I hope someone here can help!
One more question:
Do we have the right to request invoices for the services provided (tiler, tile purchase, etc.)? To ultimately check whether he actually used the full amount allocated for the interior fit-out? It could be that he buys everything cheaply and keeps the rest for himself...
Thank you and best regards
I hope you can give me some advice or tips.
We bought a house in shell condition and decided to have an architect handle the interior fit-out.
We have a budget X for the interior work, but there is no detailed breakdown of what may/can/should cost what.
We constantly have to chase the architect to get a price range for each item. For example, when buying tiles, he sends us to the hardware store but doesn’t tell us how much per square meter (square foot) they are allowed to cost. So, again, we have to call him back.
He orders a front door and sends us a photo. The door was white on both sides with frosted glass, but the one delivered was white on the inside and wood-like on the outside with clear window glass! We never wanted clear glass, and he knew that! More back and forth calls, and now we have to buy a film for the glass because the company doesn’t sell front doors with frosted glass. Great! That’s how the communication works.
Regarding the kitchen tile backsplash, we clearly explained multiple times how we want it. A few days later, the backsplash was done—but the way the architect wanted it, not as we agreed. So again, a phone call, and ultimately some tiles had to be removed and redone.
It’s getting frustrating!
And now we have the next problem:
The architect chose a sink, shower screen, wall-mounted toilet with seat, and other sanitary fixtures from a very expensive bathroom supplier. We didn’t know this. The bathtub is already installed—we didn’t see it beforehand, so once again, we weren’t consulted. When we looked at the sanitary fittings, it was an absolute no-go! Completely unsuitable in terms of style...
and price-wise, the cheapest of the cheap! If we were to pick what we want, of course, we wouldn’t reach the price in his current offer. We actually like sanitary fittings at hardware stores that are also much cheaper. He insists we must buy from this bathroom supplier and probably even the items he selected...
What can we do? What options do we even have? If that bathroom goes in with what he chose, I won’t move in... *sigh*
Unfortunately, we only have a work contract with him, and I fear we have to comply... I hope someone here can help!
One more question:
Do we have the right to request invoices for the services provided (tiler, tile purchase, etc.)? To ultimately check whether he actually used the full amount allocated for the interior fit-out? It could be that he buys everything cheaply and keeps the rest for himself...
Thank you and best regards
No Legal Advice in the Forum:
What you say and have repeatedly discussed with him should definitely be documented in writing or witnessed by independent parties. If not, I see only one solution. Write off the losses, terminate the contract with the architect, and be more cautious next time... or simply accept the outcome as it is.
If you claim A but the architect insists you wanted B, it will be difficult and lead to an expensive legal dispute.
What you say and have repeatedly discussed with him should definitely be documented in writing or witnessed by independent parties. If not, I see only one solution. Write off the losses, terminate the contract with the architect, and be more cautious next time... or simply accept the outcome as it is.
If you claim A but the architect insists you wanted B, it will be difficult and lead to an expensive legal dispute.
B
Bauexperte24 Oct 2013 12:36Hello,
this is getting close to legal advice, and I need to be careful about what I write. Legal advice is exclusively reserved for licensed professionals in Germany!
That is not a problem at first glance; what exactly did you agree on in the contract for work? I would need to know that to give a reliable answer.
Regards, Bauexperte
this is getting close to legal advice, and I need to be careful about what I write. Legal advice is exclusively reserved for licensed professionals in Germany!
Romy schrieb:
Unfortunately, we only have a contract for work with him, and I’m afraid we have to accept it... I hope someone here can help!
That is not a problem at first glance; what exactly did you agree on in the contract for work? I would need to know that to give a reliable answer.
Regards, Bauexperte
Hello,
The construction contract specifies what and when payments are to be made and what work is to be done by the owner (for example, purchasing the chimney, building the carport yourself, etc.).
In other words: Amount x after completion of the heating system, stairs
Amount x after completion of the flooring...
The construction contract specifies what and when payments are to be made and what work is to be done by the owner (for example, purchasing the chimney, building the carport yourself, etc.).
In other words: Amount x after completion of the heating system, stairs
Amount x after completion of the flooring...
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