ᐅ Who would you choose to build with again?

Thanks Bieber0815... What other information do you need?

We are building with a local general contractor and are mostly satisfied.
Next time, I would still choose to build with an architect… either a smaller project or with a bigger budget.
There are good and bad architects alike… privately, we have heard most of the unusual stories about building with architects (delays, overcomplicating, overpriced).
Viebrockhaus is definitely convenient, but only if you like that type of construction. Not everything that shines is gold there, by the way.

Hello,

The decision about whom to work with also depends on how you want to build.

With an architect = planning and decisions are made together with you, your interests are represented, maximum influence possible, many decisions to make.
With a general contractor / main contractor = it’s also your house, but usually organized to suit the contractor as well.
With a prefabricated house = you basically buy a finished piece of the house, with little possibility to influence the design.

For example, I build everything myself except for the structural exterior walls, roof beams, doors, and windows.
All work is done by myself – so all decisions and responsibilities are mine.

Olli

We are currently building a timber house with an architect and a local carpentry company, and I would do it the same way again. Custom-designed to meet our requirements, using natural building materials, a short construction period, and no poor compromises (such as skipping the installation layer, signing before sample selection, unreasonable contract clauses, etc.).

wrobel schrieb:

Prefab house = You basically buy a piece of house, with little room for customization

Hello,

@wrobel, you can’t be serious, can you?

Our timber frame prefab house, for example, was completely custom-designed and finished exactly according to our wishes.

There’s absolutely zero standard model house in it...

We planned every single detail with our architect and then worked with the design consultant to realize it.

This might not be possible with every provider, but there are definitely companies that offer this level of individual customization.

Best regards,

Dirk

Seba Stian schrieb:
What other information do you need?

Yes, as I said… If you want a highly customized house designed specifically for you and your plot, or if there are special circumstances (e.g., steep slope, required accessibility, unusual room/layout requirements, etc.), then you should look for an architect.

If you find exactly what you want in a catalog from a solid house provider ("this is it, no changes needed"), then just go with that.

If you plan to contribute a lot of your own work, then initially avoid the general contractor (GC) track.

If you want to build with as little hassle as possible (“turnkey”), then seek a good GC (with professional advice, so that turnkey doesn’t just mean: you get the keys and you’re done).

In my opinion, you should provide some input to get more helpful answers. Just because other homeowners are satisfied or dissatisfied with their process doesn’t mean it applies to everyone. By the way, I can easily imagine that working with an architect can also end disastrously.
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We are building with a developer (!). I only have to decide what I want, have quality checked, and pay. Everything else is handled by the developer (including the building permit / planning permission, etc.). This is ideal for me, as it pretty much uses up all my available energy. (Of course, there are downsides as well!)