Hello again,
here is the situation: The construction company has informed us that there will likely be a two-month delay (move-in ready beginning of February instead of the planned end of November) and admits that it is their fault (they started too late overall). They want to compensate us for the two months by covering our ongoing apartment rent as well as the resulting construction loan interest during this period. Condition: If we carry out any work on the house ourselves during the delay period (i.e., December/January), such as painting preparation while the screed is drying or laying vinyl after the screed has dried, they will reduce the compensation by four weeks.
The company justifies this as a form of protection in case we accidentally cause any damage through our work, arguing that the house remains their property more or less until full completion.
Question: Is this common practice? Is it regulated by law? So far, these arrangements have only been communicated verbally; we have requested a written document and are still waiting, as the manager is apparently on vacation... [To clarify beforehand: No contractual penalty was agreed upon.]
here is the situation: The construction company has informed us that there will likely be a two-month delay (move-in ready beginning of February instead of the planned end of November) and admits that it is their fault (they started too late overall). They want to compensate us for the two months by covering our ongoing apartment rent as well as the resulting construction loan interest during this period. Condition: If we carry out any work on the house ourselves during the delay period (i.e., December/January), such as painting preparation while the screed is drying or laying vinyl after the screed has dried, they will reduce the compensation by four weeks.
The company justifies this as a form of protection in case we accidentally cause any damage through our work, arguing that the house remains their property more or less until full completion.
Question: Is this common practice? Is it regulated by law? So far, these arrangements have only been communicated verbally; we have requested a written document and are still waiting, as the manager is apparently on vacation... [To clarify beforehand: No contractual penalty was agreed upon.]
Hello to everyone interested: The meeting with the construction company’s manager took place. He offered to reduce the penalty for delays to 3 weeks (previously he wanted to reduce it by 4 weeks) if we start some of the work ourselves during the construction period. We will probably do that to move in a bit faster, at least that’s the hope. He also hopes that they will make faster progress than expected and maybe even be able to install the tiles before Christmas… (the screed has been in place for 2 days). Let’s wait and see!