Week 76

The external steps are now done and the landscaping coming along fine, the only problem being the stupid local laws in Germany (Einfriedungsatzung) where there is a law for everything. You are only allowed a 1.2 metre wall measured from the lowest level. So, we have a footpath which is 1.5 metres below the level of the garden - therefore our garden will be 30 cms higher than the wall. Anyone on the footpath can look in - German law doesn't take into account that the 2 sides of the wall will be a different level. The only option left is either to put a fence 1 metre back from the wall (and lose 1m x 15m of the garden) or have some kind of hedging which also has to be a certain type and a certain size. Met a gardener on site who has made an offer for the 'allowed' hedges.  
  The underfloor heating pipes have been laid throughout the whole house and on Saturday the cement screed is being laid - takes 3 weeks to dry.  
  It was snowing on site so now it is too cold to do the outside plaster work - needs to be +5 C for 3 weeks.  
  The rolladen are currently being fitted as well as the extra support needed for the roof.  
  More extra work needed - steps from the footpath to the garden were not in the original offer, sigh.  
  An offer for the blow test for the energy efficiency test (for the KfW loan) was received - yet more money.

Week 75

The landscaping and L-Stein is making good progress, the external stairs are half-completed, the water connection from Stadt Kelkheim is made and the connection from electricity/water into the house is done. Telekom were there making their connection as well.
 
Plastering is almost completed (and makes the house very humid).
 
Change request (!) from the missus to add a shelf built into a wall in the shower - so more costs. Gate/steps to the Fussweg was not part of the contract - so even more costs.
 
But overall it is progressing nicely. Next week should see the underfloor heating put in - move in date by end-Feb looks likely unless we hit delays
 

Week 75 - Costs

By my calculation I am EUR 150,000 over the original budget/estimate.
 
Firstly, I asked for a 100% mortgage. Then when the bank asked me home much money I would bring to the project I said EUR 30,000 - that money was for relocation costs, fees, furniture etc.
 
What they didn't tell me, was that this was expected to be added to the mortgage - when I sent my first invoice they told me I first had to prove that I had paid EUR 30,000 worth of invoices myself before they would pay anything. ()!@%(%!_!!(@#%&@*(^_!@&#)!^)!@#$%^*
 
Then, when I had to change builder I ended up needing to borrow 100,000 to finish the project with a different builder.
 
I have to pay money to repair/correct shoddy work from my original builder - e.g. damaged hose, roof support (due to inefficient roof building).
 
The new building contract includes bog standard prices for things like doors so I end up paying extra just to get something half decent.
 
Many things I have to do were conveniently left off the offer and now I am told that I need them and need to pay for them (e.g. drainage from the slope).
 
Then my Architect says he "won't work for free", despite me having already paid 100% of the contract value - no I am being charge on an hourly rate for his continued work (adding 50% to his fee). To be fair, he is working - but I wonder what the contract payment was for ... to turn up on site every week to report on 0 progress from the builder.
 
On top I have to also now pay lawyers fees - not cheap and I had to pay for a defect analysis, report and updated report after the builder's termination.
 
Kitchen price went up due to inflation.
 
Had to drop plans for a garage to save costs ... now just getting a car-port which I only just found out will be without roof. What use is a car-port without roof?
 
(and Christ knows if my old builder will find a way to invoice me for his half-finished work or whether I can successfully claim compensation/damages from him).
 
Not sure I will have any money for removals or furniture.
 
Rant over, :-)

Week 74 - Kitchen

Met with kitchen company to reconfirm everything and agree on some small changes (kitchen counter extended to window, different extractor fan, plate warmer). If it looks anywhere near as good as the mock up then it will be awesome (as the Yanks would say).

Week 74

Plasterwork nearly finished and earthworks also being finalised.

The only problem is that there is an issue with the local water supply needing 2 weeks of work else locals are without water. This means that my water connection is delayed :-(

Week 73

On site to make some design decisions regarding landscaping the borders, outside steps, ventilation, etc.

Again there is progress and many workers on site.

Electrical work progressing, sanitation pipes laid, partition walls all completed, plastering work commenced, window sills fitted, water pipes in place.

I have a feeling that it is going to be (as the Yanks would say) 'awesome'.

Extra costs are really starting to add up though.

Week 72

More progress, windows sills going in, sanitation and electrical work continuing, etc. On holiday this week so can't see the progress but now I look forward to visiting the site. My only fear now is that extra costs keep adding up as: 1) things that I thought were included, and were always discussed, are not in the offers 2) the standard choices included in the offers (e.g. doors, tiles, etc) are crap and so my choices are more expensive.