ᐅ How long does the initial planning phase take? Expectations when working with construction companies
Created on: 14 Dec 2015 14:24
H
herannHello everyone,
We have been planning to build for about a year now. In May/June, we started researching prefabricated house companies and visited several model home exhibitions. We also had initial discussions with some companies.
Due to an unfortunate event in the family, we paused the process for a while and resumed at the end of September. Since then, we have been trying to find someone willing to build with us or whom we want to build with.
And that’s the tricky part. I’m slowly starting to think that no one wants to build with us. We don’t have extreme demands (single-family home, 150m² (1,615 sq ft)), the plot of land is ready, and the budget of 400,000 (including additional building costs and other expenses) in my opinion isn’t too small. We have a clear idea of what we want, only small details remain undecided, and as soon as we feel confident with a company, we would like to start building immediately.
However, sometimes we have to chase the consultants just to finally get an offer. When asking about a preliminary selection of materials, the common answer is that there won’t be any opportunity for the next 2–3 months. And these are all reputable companies we would actually like to build with. Aside from those ignoring our wishes completely or those we just don’t get along with. So basically only 2.5 companies (the half only with a lot of goodwill) are still in the running, and we are still waiting for more detailed numbers from some of them.
Are our expectations for consultation quality too high? I’m simply not willing to sign a contract after the second meeting without, for example, a preliminary material selection. Or to sign anything before most of the plan and representation matches what we envision. How many meetings did you have with your builder before committing?
I’m even at the point where I think, “It doesn’t matter if I don’t like them personally, as long as the house fits,” although that really goes against my gut feeling. How important is the personal rapport with the salesperson?
How long did your decision-making phase take? I am already a bit frustrated at times and sometimes wonder if we will ever find someone to build with or who wants to build with us.
Looking forward to hearing about your experiences.
We have been planning to build for about a year now. In May/June, we started researching prefabricated house companies and visited several model home exhibitions. We also had initial discussions with some companies.
Due to an unfortunate event in the family, we paused the process for a while and resumed at the end of September. Since then, we have been trying to find someone willing to build with us or whom we want to build with.
And that’s the tricky part. I’m slowly starting to think that no one wants to build with us. We don’t have extreme demands (single-family home, 150m² (1,615 sq ft)), the plot of land is ready, and the budget of 400,000 (including additional building costs and other expenses) in my opinion isn’t too small. We have a clear idea of what we want, only small details remain undecided, and as soon as we feel confident with a company, we would like to start building immediately.
However, sometimes we have to chase the consultants just to finally get an offer. When asking about a preliminary selection of materials, the common answer is that there won’t be any opportunity for the next 2–3 months. And these are all reputable companies we would actually like to build with. Aside from those ignoring our wishes completely or those we just don’t get along with. So basically only 2.5 companies (the half only with a lot of goodwill) are still in the running, and we are still waiting for more detailed numbers from some of them.
Are our expectations for consultation quality too high? I’m simply not willing to sign a contract after the second meeting without, for example, a preliminary material selection. Or to sign anything before most of the plan and representation matches what we envision. How many meetings did you have with your builder before committing?
I’m even at the point where I think, “It doesn’t matter if I don’t like them personally, as long as the house fits,” although that really goes against my gut feeling. How important is the personal rapport with the salesperson?
How long did your decision-making phase take? I am already a bit frustrated at times and sometimes wonder if we will ever find someone to build with or who wants to build with us.
Looking forward to hearing about your experiences.
N
nordanney14 Dec 2015 14:34The question is whether you want to build with a general contractor (GC) or simply go directly to an architect.
Overall, you have to say at the moment that construction companies and tradespeople have more work than they can handle and are not dependent on every single client. As a result, this often influences how they operate.
P.S. We chose a plot of land in January (after about 2.5 months of searching) and were ready to build in less than six months (with an architect and already some tradespeople lined up). Then we unfortunately had to wait for the site development, so we started building at the beginning of October. It can happen very quickly.
Overall, you have to say at the moment that construction companies and tradespeople have more work than they can handle and are not dependent on every single client. As a result, this often influences how they operate.
P.S. We chose a plot of land in January (after about 2.5 months of searching) and were ready to build in less than six months (with an architect and already some tradespeople lined up). Then we unfortunately had to wait for the site development, so we started building at the beginning of October. It can happen very quickly.
D
Doc.Schnaggls14 Dec 2015 14:37Hello herann,
Honestly, I was a bit surprised when I read your report here…
Problems like the ones you describe were completely unfamiliar to us during our planning, selection, and construction phases.
We also built a prefabricated house – we signed the construction contract in autumn 2013, started building the basement in summer 2014, and moved in this February.
We searched and planned for about 6 months – but we also took a very close look at each manufacturer’s production process in advance.
Having a certain level of personal rapport was important to us as well, even though the house itself was of course the main priority.
We still have regular contact with our sales advisor today.
We also completed a pre-selection of finishes before signing the contract – I definitely wouldn’t want to skip that step, as we learned and discovered a lot there.
Which 2.5 prefab house suppliers are still under consideration for you?
Best regards,
Dirk
Honestly, I was a bit surprised when I read your report here…
Problems like the ones you describe were completely unfamiliar to us during our planning, selection, and construction phases.
We also built a prefabricated house – we signed the construction contract in autumn 2013, started building the basement in summer 2014, and moved in this February.
We searched and planned for about 6 months – but we also took a very close look at each manufacturer’s production process in advance.
Having a certain level of personal rapport was important to us as well, even though the house itself was of course the main priority.
We still have regular contact with our sales advisor today.
We also completed a pre-selection of finishes before signing the contract – I definitely wouldn’t want to skip that step, as we learned and discovered a lot there.
Which 2.5 prefab house suppliers are still under consideration for you?
Best regards,
Dirk
So, we actually want to build with a prefabricated house company and not deal with individual craftsmen. However, I also share your impression that many currently don’t really “need” to do so.
At the moment, Hanse Haus, Fertighaus Weiss, and Weberhaus (50% chance) are still in the running. I am quite disappointed in Weberhaus, though. After two rather uninformative meetings, we have now been waiting for two weeks for a rough estimate of our building project (mind you, not a detailed offer...). They might still turn it around, but right now my hopes aren’t high.
We have already spoken with Schwörerhaus, Rensch-Haus, Bien-Zenker (no preliminary sampling possible for the next 2–3 months), Kampa, Hin Haus, Allkauf Haus, and Dan Haus. In some cases, the offer was completely unsuitable, the concept didn’t fit, or there was no chemistry with the consultants. The problem is that it usually takes 2–3 appointments to get an offer – that consumes a lot of time, and I’m seriously worried that we won’t manage to make a final decision before the end of Q1.
We definitely want to visit the factory or the sample showroom before making such a large investment, but apparently that’s not a given for many, or maybe we’re just too unattractive as customers…
At the moment, Hanse Haus, Fertighaus Weiss, and Weberhaus (50% chance) are still in the running. I am quite disappointed in Weberhaus, though. After two rather uninformative meetings, we have now been waiting for two weeks for a rough estimate of our building project (mind you, not a detailed offer...). They might still turn it around, but right now my hopes aren’t high.
We have already spoken with Schwörerhaus, Rensch-Haus, Bien-Zenker (no preliminary sampling possible for the next 2–3 months), Kampa, Hin Haus, Allkauf Haus, and Dan Haus. In some cases, the offer was completely unsuitable, the concept didn’t fit, or there was no chemistry with the consultants. The problem is that it usually takes 2–3 appointments to get an offer – that consumes a lot of time, and I’m seriously worried that we won’t manage to make a final decision before the end of Q1.
We definitely want to visit the factory or the sample showroom before making such a large investment, but apparently that’s not a given for many, or maybe we’re just too unattractive as customers…
D
Doc.Schnaggls14 Dec 2015 15:53Hello,
Okay, I didn’t expect that from Weberhaus – but it really depends a lot on the consultant.
We built a Weberhaus ourselves and, as I mentioned before, we are more than satisfied...
Where is your Weberhaus consultant located?
Weiss was also in the running until shortly before our decision, but after visiting the production site we chose Weberhaus. During these visits, we always brought along my father-in-law (as a family expert), since he is a master carpenter with experience in timber frame construction and knows exactly what to look for.
Over the past months, I’ve read some negative reports about Weiss on a construction blog, which surprised me because our own talks with them left a positive impression.
We also had several appointments where we adjusted one or two details – but ultimately, we thought it was important that everything fit perfectly on such a major project. Only when we were convinced that everything was right, did we sign the construction contract.
Regards,
Dirk
Okay, I didn’t expect that from Weberhaus – but it really depends a lot on the consultant.
We built a Weberhaus ourselves and, as I mentioned before, we are more than satisfied...
Where is your Weberhaus consultant located?
Weiss was also in the running until shortly before our decision, but after visiting the production site we chose Weberhaus. During these visits, we always brought along my father-in-law (as a family expert), since he is a master carpenter with experience in timber frame construction and knows exactly what to look for.
Over the past months, I’ve read some negative reports about Weiss on a construction blog, which surprised me because our own talks with them left a positive impression.
We also had several appointments where we adjusted one or two details – but ultimately, we thought it was important that everything fit perfectly on such a major project. Only when we were convinced that everything was right, did we sign the construction contract.
Regards,
Dirk
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