“He Whimpered and Pestered So Hard…”: Conflict between the Customer and the Contractor during the Construction of the Kichkine Residence

Abstract

The article highlights one of the little-studied problems of interaction between customers and contractors during construction of residences for members of the Romanovs family. Based on the analysis and synthesis of archival materials from the fund of the Department of Affairs of the Grand Duke Dmitry Konstantinovich, the study turns to the consideration of the relationship between the officials of the Department, first of all, its head A. V. Korochentsov, with the contractor for the construction of the Crimean residence of His Highness Kichkine. The article notes that the first difficulties between the parties arose even at the stage of agreeing on design estimates and preparing the contract. At the same time, when preparing the project, the customer showed impatience, while when preparing the contract, on the contrary, the contractor tried to influence the Department. During the construction, there were also repeated misunderstandings and difficulties that arose, as can be judged, on the side of the contractor. They found their expression in criticism of the actions of persons sent by the Grand Duke to check the quality of work; in attempts to refuse to implement individual wishes of the customer without presenting clearly substantiated arguments and, most importantly, in non-compliance with the deadlines for completion of construction established by the contract. At the same time, the article notes that the Department of Affairs actually came into conflict with the contractor at the stage of final settlements, refusing to transfer the last payment due to imperfections and flaws made by the firm of the Tarasov brothers, which did not allow them to accept the work. The result of lengthy negotiations was a compromise, according to which the customer paid part of the amount, and the contractor refused further claims.