ᐅ Construction schedule delayed, or was something planned incorrectly?

Hello,

we are building two duplex houses with basements together with three other families. All houses look the same from the outside.
170 sqm (1,830 sq ft) – basement, ground floor, upper floor.
Walls and ceilings are precast reinforced concrete elements.
According to the construction schedule, we are already 8 weeks behind.
The developer and their architect say that everything is still within acceptable limits.
Excavation started in July and everything was supposed to be finished by August 2014, so within 12 months.
Until now, basements and ground floors are built, and only the ceiling of the upper floor is missing (flat roof above the upper floor).
Today we found out that the window installer and electrician are not scheduled to come until January. According to the construction schedule, they were supposed to arrive this week.

Overall, the first families are starting to get anxious.
The contract states that for every month of delay after September 1, 2014, the developer must pay compensation.
What always surprises me is that the shell of the building is only worked on by 3 construction workers at a time.

They work 2 days on house 1, 2 days on house 2, 2 days on house 3, and so on. So the other houses just stand idle.

What do you think about this?
Is it already a good idea to apply some pressure, or is the construction schedule maybe just badly planned?
I can provide an excerpt from the construction specifications if needed.

Good morning,
if windows and electrical work start in January, I personally wouldn’t worry yet. There are still 7 months until August to complete the project, and some companies manage to deliver a fully finished solid construction within that time.
However, if I were you, I would ask for a revised construction schedule.

Thanks for the help. In my opinion, the construction of the shell is planned far too tightly anyway.
Namely, in about 15 weeks including earthworks, basement, ground floor, and upper floor...

Hello,

italiano83 schrieb:

Excavation started in July, and everything was supposed to be finished by August 2014. So, 12 months total.
Up to now, the basement and ground floor are done, and only the ceiling of the upper floor (flat roof over the upper floor) is missing.
Today we heard that the window installer and electrician won’t come until January. According to the construction schedule, they were supposed to start this week.

12 months for a simple semi-detached house – and after 3 months, only the main structure is ready; that’s quite something. I hope you signed a sensible payment plan 😕

I wouldn’t worry too much about the electrical work, and windows aren’t a big drama either – although it would of course be better if the shell was closed before winter. When is the flat roof going on, or will your builder leave that open until January as well?

italiano83 schrieb:

Overall, the first families are already getting nervous.
The contract states that the builder must pay compensation for every month of delay starting from 1.09.14.
What always surprises me is that the main structure is being built constantly by only 3 workers.

They work 2 days on house 1, 2 days on house 2, 2 days on house 3, etc. So the other houses just stand still.

You allowed the builder a construction period of 12 months; theoretically, they could work on each semi-detached house with just one person and still be finished by August 2014. Don’t expect any “compensation” – the builder is hardly foolish enough to let that happen.

italiano83 schrieb:

Is it worth putting pressure on now, or is the construction schedule maybe just poorly planned?

You have no legal basis to “put pressure” on anyone! The construction schedule is, by the way, only an approximate guideline and can be easily challenged; what matters is the contractually agreed handover date.

Regards, Bauexperte

Make sure to have the windows installed before winter at the latest...

If it were up to me, yes