Hello everyone,
After the assembly of our prefabricated house in mid-October, the work progressed quickly, so we gave notice for our apartment on January 31, 2014.
According to the schedule, the house handover was supposed to be on December 18, 2013. At that point, we would only have needed to do the painting and floor coverings (except in the bathrooms). So there should have been enough time.
Unfortunately, due to a two-week delay on our part (electricity could not be supplied as quickly as hoped), our builder has now added another four weeks of delay (you can read about all this on my construction blog – linked here in the forum).
The big problem we are facing right now is that the plasterers, who need to rework some defects, simply have not come. According to our site manager, they should have been here at the beginning of this week, but so far they still haven’t shown up.
As a result, we cannot finish our walls, and our flooring contractor “refuses” to install the floors until the walls are done.
I see that we might have to move into a half-finished house, IF at all.
I now need advice on how to proceed:
So far, I have only spoken by phone with our site manager, who was supposed to take care of things. Yesterday I complained to our customer service representative because nothing is progressing. However, they only refer me back to the site manager.
I have set a deadline for completion of all work in our house as January 28, 2014 (although I have little hope).
The contract doesn’t mention any construction period, only that after the house is erected, the interior work will be done “as soon as possible.” According to the builder’s brochure, the interior finishing takes 5 to 8 weeks, but unofficially, our site manager told us to expect 8 to 11 weeks.
Does anyone have tips on how to proceed now?
Many thanks,
Julia
After the assembly of our prefabricated house in mid-October, the work progressed quickly, so we gave notice for our apartment on January 31, 2014.
According to the schedule, the house handover was supposed to be on December 18, 2013. At that point, we would only have needed to do the painting and floor coverings (except in the bathrooms). So there should have been enough time.
Unfortunately, due to a two-week delay on our part (electricity could not be supplied as quickly as hoped), our builder has now added another four weeks of delay (you can read about all this on my construction blog – linked here in the forum).
The big problem we are facing right now is that the plasterers, who need to rework some defects, simply have not come. According to our site manager, they should have been here at the beginning of this week, but so far they still haven’t shown up.
As a result, we cannot finish our walls, and our flooring contractor “refuses” to install the floors until the walls are done.
I see that we might have to move into a half-finished house, IF at all.
I now need advice on how to proceed:
So far, I have only spoken by phone with our site manager, who was supposed to take care of things. Yesterday I complained to our customer service representative because nothing is progressing. However, they only refer me back to the site manager.
I have set a deadline for completion of all work in our house as January 28, 2014 (although I have little hope).
The contract doesn’t mention any construction period, only that after the house is erected, the interior work will be done “as soon as possible.” According to the builder’s brochure, the interior finishing takes 5 to 8 weeks, but unofficially, our site manager told us to expect 8 to 11 weeks.
Does anyone have tips on how to proceed now?
Many thanks,
Julia
Hello Julia,
I’m really sorry to hear that. It’s frustrating how there always seem to be slowpokes in the way, holding up the whole corridor.
By the way, I already posted on your blog, but it never shows up (as usual).
I don’t think you can do much legally... phrases like "as soon as possible" are quite vague, and the people involved will surely have their arguments... wait it out, improvise, be patient. All of that comes with costs and stress.
Sending a warm hug and offering a grappa,
Yvonne
I’m really sorry to hear that. It’s frustrating how there always seem to be slowpokes in the way, holding up the whole corridor.
By the way, I already posted on your blog, but it never shows up (as usual).
I don’t think you can do much legally... phrases like "as soon as possible" are quite vague, and the people involved will surely have their arguments... wait it out, improvise, be patient. All of that comes with costs and stress.
Sending a warm hug and offering a grappa,
Yvonne
If you need to store items: with us, it cost 10 € per day + VAT. Of course, the usual shipping costs apply in addition.
The delay actually worked out well for us: when moving into the house, we had no work except for unpacking, since everything was already arranged and packed beforehand.
The disadvantage for you: costs for a hotel or vacation rental. Don’t you have parents, friends, or someone else who could help?
I don’t think you can claim compensation from O**L for this, as no fixed amount was specified.
The delay actually worked out well for us: when moving into the house, we had no work except for unpacking, since everything was already arranged and packed beforehand.
The disadvantage for you: costs for a hotel or vacation rental. Don’t you have parents, friends, or someone else who could help?
I don’t think you can claim compensation from O**L for this, as no fixed amount was specified.
B
Bauexperte24 Jan 2014 09:08Hello Julia,
More likely 12–14 weeks; this is independent of the provider and also regardless of whether it is a prefabricated or solid construction house.
I am sorry to hear that, but you have - not just figuratively speaking - drawn the short straw. I am familiar with the contracts from Deutsche Fertighaus Holding Group and therefore know that—unless you have contractually negotiated binding additions regarding the construction period—you have no ability to influence this. However, that should not stop you from continuing to apply pressure and documenting this in writing from now on.
I only see the option to make the best out of the situation. You will have to pack boxes anyway, so the question is about accommodation for you and your family until moving into the new house becomes realistic. Family? Or is an affordable holiday rental possible?
Best regards, Bauexperte
Jaydee schrieb:
The contract does not mention the construction duration; it only states that after the house is erected, the interior work will be done “as quickly as possible.” According to the provider’s brochure, the interior work takes 5–8 weeks, but unofficially, our site manager recommended expecting 8–11 weeks.
More likely 12–14 weeks; this is independent of the provider and also regardless of whether it is a prefabricated or solid construction house.
I am sorry to hear that, but you have - not just figuratively speaking - drawn the short straw. I am familiar with the contracts from Deutsche Fertighaus Holding Group and therefore know that—unless you have contractually negotiated binding additions regarding the construction period—you have no ability to influence this. However, that should not stop you from continuing to apply pressure and documenting this in writing from now on.
I only see the option to make the best out of the situation. You will have to pack boxes anyway, so the question is about accommodation for you and your family until moving into the new house becomes realistic. Family? Or is an affordable holiday rental possible?
Best regards, Bauexperte
In winter, it was quite a bold decision to terminate the contract so early. After all, it can happen that your screed doesn’t dry properly or that some work comes to a halt due to frost.
Now the situation is difficult, and I would advise against moving into the house before the final inspection. Once you move in, you automatically accept all the completed work.
Try to negotiate with your landlord to postpone by one month, if possible, or consider storage and staying with friends, family, or in a guesthouse. One month of this arrangement should be manageable.
Now the situation is difficult, and I would advise against moving into the house before the final inspection. Once you move in, you automatically accept all the completed work.
Try to negotiate with your landlord to postpone by one month, if possible, or consider storage and staying with friends, family, or in a guesthouse. One month of this arrangement should be manageable.
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