Hello,
Since April, we have been looking for a construction company to build a single-family house. Our plan was to first gather some quotes or cost estimates. After all, this is a decision that should be well considered. However, many of the companies we contacted either do not provide an offer, stop responding, or do not reply at all. This is starting to make us suspicious. We are not planning anything unusual. A simple single-family house of about 130m² (1400 sq ft), with an air source heat pump, living room, kitchen, toilet, and utility room on the ground floor, as well as a bedroom, children’s room, bathroom, and office on the upper floor.
For example, we had a conversation with a local construction company that ended with the statement that we would receive an offer. We then heard nothing from them for weeks. When we called, we were only told the manager was out of the office, would call back later, or similar excuses. When we finally reached him, he just postponed again until we gave up asking.
Another company wanted to schedule a meeting with us. After I suggested a date by email, we received no further response.
Another said they would call the next day to arrange a meeting, but never called.
Yet another asked us to call at the beginning of the week to set up a meeting, which we did. Suddenly, they became dismissive and said they could not estimate costs without a completed design from an architect hired by us, and that was the end of it.
What are we doing wrong? Isn’t it normal to present your ideas and get a rough idea of the costs or whether it is achievable within the desired budget? We are becoming quite desperate.
Since April, we have been looking for a construction company to build a single-family house. Our plan was to first gather some quotes or cost estimates. After all, this is a decision that should be well considered. However, many of the companies we contacted either do not provide an offer, stop responding, or do not reply at all. This is starting to make us suspicious. We are not planning anything unusual. A simple single-family house of about 130m² (1400 sq ft), with an air source heat pump, living room, kitchen, toilet, and utility room on the ground floor, as well as a bedroom, children’s room, bathroom, and office on the upper floor.
For example, we had a conversation with a local construction company that ended with the statement that we would receive an offer. We then heard nothing from them for weeks. When we called, we were only told the manager was out of the office, would call back later, or similar excuses. When we finally reached him, he just postponed again until we gave up asking.
Another company wanted to schedule a meeting with us. After I suggested a date by email, we received no further response.
Another said they would call the next day to arrange a meeting, but never called.
Yet another asked us to call at the beginning of the week to set up a meeting, which we did. Suddenly, they became dismissive and said they could not estimate costs without a completed design from an architect hired by us, and that was the end of it.
What are we doing wrong? Isn’t it normal to present your ideas and get a rough idea of the costs or whether it is achievable within the desired budget? We are becoming quite desperate.
NullVier schrieb:
Or maybe we will also decide to contract the trades individually. But then you probably have to be prepared for some challenges. There are various trades involved in new construction. I have some recent experiences from family and personal projects. You request a quote, sometimes a tradesperson finally shows up to assess the job, but then takes weeks to send the offer. Often only after multiple reminders, and sometimes not even then. If there is no interest (for whatever reason) in the job, it would be fair to just say so.
At first, I thought that no quote meant no interest, so I’d simply move on to the next candidate. But eventually, you want to get the project finished. Often, you have to follow up several times. The workload seems to be so high that even after selecting a tradesperson, you face long waiting times. Maybe you have to focus on less well-known companies, but I want a reliable service and am willing to pay a bit more for it. That’s why I concentrated on more reputable local companies, for example, those who had already done good work for my parents. For my brother and me, it was a renovation rather than a new build, which might be less attractive because it’s harder to estimate.
Fortunately, for my bathroom renovations I have now found a plumbing company that also coordinates the other trades. Of course, you pay for that service somewhere, but it’s worth it to me.
T
toxicmolotof15 Oct 2015 11:06The fact is that working directly between a private client and craftsmen simply leads to more problems than when collaborating on equal terms with an architect.
I had difficulties obtaining quotes, whereas my architect, using the same documents, had five offers on the table within two weeks.
I had difficulties obtaining quotes, whereas my architect, using the same documents, had five offers on the table within two weeks.
The expectation that construction companies would ask whether an inquiry is serious strikes me as somewhat ambitious. The stereotypical response from any inquirer would probably be, "Of course, we are serious." I can only smile at the idea of a situation like, "No, I was just joking around with a casual inquiry."
In fact, age might play a role—especially when appearance and/or voice make someone seem even younger. But the manner of speaking or asking questions often leads to people being quickly categorized. I recognize this in myself as well; I tend to put people into categories after just one or two posts, and it can be hard for them to get out once they’re there.
No one is entirely free of bias.
In fact, age might play a role—especially when appearance and/or voice make someone seem even younger. But the manner of speaking or asking questions often leads to people being quickly categorized. I recognize this in myself as well; I tend to put people into categories after just one or two posts, and it can be hard for them to get out once they’re there.
No one is entirely free of bias.
Voki1 schrieb:
The expectation that construction companies would ask whether an inquirer is actually serious strikes me as somewhat ambitious. The stereotypical answer from any inquirer would probably be "of course we are serious." I can only imagine a situation like "no, I’m just joking, it was a little fun inquiry" with a smile. Ha, no, that’s not what I mean. You must have misunderstood me. I mean they could, for example, ask if we already have a plot of land. I don’t know what else could indicate that someone has concrete plans and is not just asking for general information. Maybe there are questions that only someone who has already given some real thought to building a house could answer? I just don’t want to go around telling everyone exactly what land we have and where. I find that comes across as boastful. I’m more reserved in that regard.
That only counts as showing off if you keep mentioning it to friends, acquaintances, colleagues, or others with the intention of impressing them. For a builder, it certainly holds significant importance for various reasons, especially when the associated assets increase the perceived seriousness.
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