ᐅ Traveling During the Construction Phase?

For us, it’s quite convenient that our vacation coincides with the screed drying phase. I don’t think we’ll miss much—except for occasionally airing out the rooms. We might have to ask our in-laws or neighbors to check on the site from time to time.

During the shell construction and foundation slab pouring, I would want to check the site every day, take measurements, tidy up if needed, or calm down neighbors. It’s really interesting how some contractors expand their work into all directions—even beyond property boundaries. Especially because it can happen that they manage to complete the entire shell structure within those three weeks.

Walks, eating ice cream, barbecuing on the property, spending time with the kids, watching the construction workers—all of that feels like a vacation too, doesn’t it? I would probably prefer to travel as well, but not during the most critical phase: the start of the shell construction.

haydee schrieb:

1. Photos serve as documentation
2. builders want to see the homeowners
3. there are always issues to clarify
main contractor, site supervisors constantly

I was at the construction site twice every day

It’s not that we don’t want or won’t show up there, but rather about when the phase starts during which it makes sense to be on site.

As long as the excavator is doing the earthworks and the groundwork is underway, do I really have to be there in person?

HilfeHilfe schrieb:

But why not 1.5–2 weeks? Especially since a lot changes during construction

Because we want to visit family abroad and the trip is quite far.

Martial.white schrieb:

It feels a bit strange, but it went smoothly. However, my parents live near the site and the neighbor sent photos regularly

My brother lives near the plot and isn’t traveling this year, so I will ask him to check on the site daily as well.

ypg schrieb:

The construction site is nothing? Do you want to go on vacation now or later? That’s not clear

Of course the construction site is not nothing, but the question is when is the site at a stage where I, as the homeowner, should be present?

Is it already necessary when they are still working with the excavator inside the foundations?

The period would be from the end of July to mid-August. Possible construction start might be end of June.

ypg schrieb:

Why are you asking? Isn’t it already decided?

Because I’m trying to find out in which phase it’s still possible to be away without hindering the construction in any way.

No, nothing is definite yet. I haven’t booked anything or made any other arrangements. However, I feel it more and more every day, especially for our daughter. She hasn’t seen her grandmother for three years and also hardly any of the rest of the family on her father’s side. Since she has to attend school, we can only travel during school holidays.

OWLer schrieb:

but probably not during the most exciting phase: the start of the shell construction.

So I need to find out roughly when the shell construction might begin.

Yaso2.0 schrieb:

Or can we just leave without any worries?

I asked the site manager and he just said, "Go ahead" 🙂

How did you handle it?

I would never do that.
It might be easier for the site manager if the homeowner isn’t constantly watching over their shoulder, but I would rather give up a year of vacation. Unless you have someone in the family who can check the construction site daily and be available to you 24/7.

Even that wouldn’t work for me, because I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my vacation peacefully.

A small example: once the wall is plastered, it’s hard to inspect the masonry, and after all, you’re building the house for a lifetime.

I believe no outsider can really answer that for you. In the end, it depends on how much you want to trust your site manager and the construction company, and how closely you want to supervise. During our build phase, we visited the site about once or twice a week at first, then more frequently—even daily—during the finishing stages.

Many other homeowners told us back then, "How do you manage with only going once a week?" – but it really depends on your personality.

As a non-expert, would you be able to spot or recognize if they made mistakes during the excavation of the foundation pit or when setting out the site? Personally, I couldn’t. The same was true during the masonry work. Still, I wanted to be on site occasionally to check on things and take photos. Building a house is quite an adventure, and I didn’t want to miss out on too much.

So the question is: Are you okay with missing a few weeks of your construction project and possibly not being able to monitor what’s going on? And would you be able to relax during your vacation if you might be called occasionally for questions?

Also, keep in mind that if you are away for three weeks, important paperwork might pile up and not get processed, such as applications, signatures, or progress payments. Our insurance company wanted the progress payment settled within seven days after a construction stage was completed. If you’re away for three weeks, you risk receiving a reminder notice.

Best regards

Smirnoff1983 schrieb:

For the construction manager, it might be easier if the client doesn’t watch over their shoulder, but I would rather give up a year of vacation. Unless you have someone in the family who checks the construction site daily and can reach you 24/7.

For me, even that wouldn’t be a solution because I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my vacation peacefully.

I claim that we could enjoy it, but maybe I can say that now simply because nothing else has happened yet 🙂

Being reachable is not a problem for me, meaning being called or contacted. But I probably need to think more deeply about it.

kati1337 schrieb:

So the question is: Would it bother you to miss a few weeks of your building project and possibly not be able to supervise what’s going on?
And would you be able to relax on vacation if you occasionally get called for questions?
For a 3-week absence, you also have to consider that important correspondence might pile up and not be handled in time. Applications / signatures / interim payment invoices. Our construction supervisor wanted the interim payment invoice paid within 7 days after a construction milestone was completed. If you are away for 3 weeks, you risk receiving a reminder notice.

Honestly, I don’t know if it would bother me. Getting calls for questions wouldn’t bother me, but the point about correspondence and invoices needing payment is absolutely valid, and I had completely overlooked that so far!

I guess I will have to think again about whether taking vacation during construction is a good idea!

I wouldn’t have gone on vacation for 3 weeks.
We were away for 1 week, but only 2.5 hours by car from the construction site, staying in a holiday apartment.