A builder who builds a house for a private customer in Germany must first hand over a detailed Baubeschreibung, a building description, in text form. It must arrive before the customer signs. Section 650j of the Civil Code requires it, and the introductory act to the Civil Code lists what it must contain. This includes the type and scope of the work, plans with room and floor areas, the energy, fire and sound insulation standard, the construction of all main trades, the interior finish and the building services. It must also give verbindliche Angaben zum Zeitpunkt der Fertigstellung, binding information on the completion date. The description becomes part of the contract, unless the parties agree otherwise. Any remaining doubt about what it covers counts against the builder.