ᐅ Construction keeps getting delayed – should I call the site manager?
Created on: 20 Apr 2018 06:50
V
V3ctra
Hello everyone, do you perhaps have any advice on what to do when construction keeps getting delayed, besides constantly calling the site manager?
We are building with a general contractor. Construction started in mid-October 2017, but from December 1, 2017 to March 1, 2018, work was paused due to “bad weather.”
Since March 1, there have already been several interruptions of up to a week because the trades were not properly coordinated. The fact is, two weeks ago the roof structure was built and the gable was bricked. Now, nothing has happened again for a week. The site manager only makes unhelpful remarks like, for example, “I can’t expect someone to be on site every day?” Other construction sites in the area only started at the beginning of March and have already overtaken us.
Have you experienced something similar, and how did you apply pressure?
We are building with a general contractor. Construction started in mid-October 2017, but from December 1, 2017 to March 1, 2018, work was paused due to “bad weather.”
Since March 1, there have already been several interruptions of up to a week because the trades were not properly coordinated. The fact is, two weeks ago the roof structure was built and the gable was bricked. Now, nothing has happened again for a week. The site manager only makes unhelpful remarks like, for example, “I can’t expect someone to be on site every day?” Other construction sites in the area only started at the beginning of March and have already overtaken us.
Have you experienced something similar, and how did you apply pressure?
K
Knallkörper21 Apr 2018 07:09It is important that you call and send emails there daily. Written requests are helpful.
When it became clear that our construction was delayed by 4 weeks, I formally asked the general contractor in writing to provide a construction schedule up to the final inspection within 5 working days. Then clearly define the completion date according to the building contract. In addition, you reserve the right to claim damages for each calendar day the construction period is exceeded; I set this amount at 85 euros.
When it became clear that our construction was delayed by 4 weeks, I formally asked the general contractor in writing to provide a construction schedule up to the final inspection within 5 working days. Then clearly define the completion date according to the building contract. In addition, you reserve the right to claim damages for each calendar day the construction period is exceeded; I set this amount at 85 euros.
K
Knallkörper21 Apr 2018 08:30Knallkörper schrieb:
It is important that you call and write emails there every day. Written reminders help.Sorry, a word was missing. I meant: NOT constantly calling and writing emails. Only formal, written communication with a deadline.
It is absolutely clear that action should be taken as soon as delays become apparent! As the client, you are responsible for supervising your construction site.
But not if a general contractor (GC) is only responsible for delivering the finished house. In that case, the exact schedule is basically irrelevant to the client.
Based on what has been written, my advice:
Reach out again to the supervisor or owner and make it clear that you are genuinely concerned about whether the timeline is feasible. Bring the many arguments shared here with you and prepare thoroughly, but don’t forget: you have no entitlement to anything; it only works if you reach an agreement.
Based on what has been written, my advice:
Reach out again to the supervisor or owner and make it clear that you are genuinely concerned about whether the timeline is feasible. Bring the many arguments shared here with you and prepare thoroughly, but don’t forget: you have no entitlement to anything; it only works if you reach an agreement.
Sondelgeher12 schrieb:
Hm, well, I understand the original poster; I would be annoyed too if all the neighbors started after me but finished before me.... If they’re building with the same company, that would indeed be questionable, although contracts still apply. If the neighbors are progressing faster, it probably means you negotiated a problematic contract. In that case, essentially the only option is to get a construction expert to formally complain about something minor, like a tile being 2mm (0.08 inches) out of place, and have the expert also clarify how much of the past months should really be counted as bad weather, so the builder might be pressured to refund some money in the summer at best.
If it’s a different company, then you could have chosen to sign with a more expensive or better company yourself. Our construction time was only 4.5 months, but we did pay a few more euros for it.
K
Knallkörper21 Apr 2018 16:32jansens schrieb:
But not if a general contractor is only responsible for handing over the completed house. Then it basically should not matter to the client how the exact schedule looks.That is simply not correct. Perhaps you mean a property developer. In that case, your statement would be right. However, the original poster is the client and has signed a contract for work and services. Of course, they should take action if delays become apparent, meaning the contractor is not delivering the agreed work according to the contract. This is essentially the same as dealing with construction defects.