I've heard lots of horror stories lately about people building houses, garages, shops etc where they have had a verbal agreement on a completion date of the project but in reality it isn't complete until months after. I understand there are reasonable causes for delay such as weather, product supply etc.
As a consumer, is it within my legal right to ask for a penalty clause to be put in our written contract? If so, what is reasonable? Has anyone had experience with this?
Background: Looking to get a garage built and the builder I would like to go with has a few reviews online about how long its taken them to build something. I really like the quality of their work, and the owners themselves so would prefer to do business with them over the other builders I have had come out but do not want to have this project start in June and still be waiting for it to be finished in October.