ᐅ Who had everything go smoothly?

Created on: 2 Nov 2019 11:17
M
Müllerin
Inspired by this thread:

where did things go wrong for you

and the following quote:
MadameP schrieb:
That was the short version; I think everyone who is currently building can relate to it.

here’s my question: who has had everything go smoothly?

I don’t want to use the mentioned thread. Surely, nobody experiencing problems enjoys reading that everything is going perfectly for others.

Of course, we also had minor issues, but all were resolved immediately. For example, two window openings were built too large, the interior plaster was missing on the crawl space wall, the construction staircase was in the wrong place, and there was poor workmanship from the stair builder, which the flooring installer then corrected.
But overall, everything went great, which I mainly attribute to the overall setup:
Building in a rural area with individual contracts and a construction manager who has been doing this for a long time, knows all the companies personally, and when he says something, it gets done/made possible. Overall, only good companies with skilled workers who do proper work and don’t cut corners.

In addition, we thoroughly informed ourselves about each trade beforehand, knew exactly what we wanted and what could possibly go wrong. Depending on the phase, I was onsite daily or at least every three days and on call, which was fully utilized.

So with this arrangement, I would almost be ready to build again anytime.
H
hampshire
2 Nov 2019 18:23
We are very satisfied with the architect, the craftsmen, and the overall result. Of course, not everything went smoothly; problems arose and were resolved. With a different mindset, this could have caused a lot of stress. For example, one of the electricians who was important to us was off sick for several weeks. As a result, we had no lighting by the stairs or outside for a few extra weeks. You could get really upset about this and try to "put pressure" on them – but you can also just accept it as it is. I was actually glad when he eventually recovered.

A quote from Nestroy fits my mindset quite well:
"I’m happy when the weather is bad. If I’m not happy, then the weather is bad anyway."
N
Nordlys
2 Nov 2019 18:55
If someone is looking for something, they will always find it. I'm neither picky nor a stickler for millimeter precision. Rather, I tend to be pragmatically British and inclined to simple solutions. And if something goes wrong, like with the dishwasher water connection, you just quickly adjust your plans accordingly. That works too. In general, everything in life can go one way, another, or yet another way—never just one way.
H
haydee
2 Nov 2019 19:14
British pragmatism in house building.
Neja
Only the British manage to move into a new build that feels like an old house.
N
Nordlys
2 Nov 2019 19:25
Haydee, you just don’t get it. You have to eat Weetabix every morning for a year, then maybe.

Weetabix breakfast box with yellow background, logo, and fruit on packaging
H
haydee
2 Nov 2019 20:17
I eat porridge. Long before it became trendy.
The Weetabix and similar cereals just keep growing in my mouth. I can’t get them down.
Showers without pressure, either cold or boiling water, mold in the bathroom, never without a hot water bottle in winter, long underwear, thick pajamas, a cardigan, and a thermal flask.
N
Nordlys
2 Nov 2019 20:30
This is also how it is in Schleswig-Holstein. Just like at home. My wife just wiped the mold out of the refrigerator again today. And a hot water bottle in bed is as cozy as my wife’s warm cuddles.