Hello everyone,
My building project somehow doesn’t seem to be progressing, and I’m starting to doubt whether it was even a good idea. :-/
-Short introduction-
I want to build a house or an extension on my parents’ (our) property together with them. The brother-in-law of an acquaintance of ours is an architect, and we talked about building a house. Since we have a good relationship with that acquaintance and the architect was recommended by her, we thought it would be a good idea to hire someone we know personally.
Since I have zero experience with construction projects myself and my parents basically renovated our house on their own about 30 years ago without much legal knowledge either, we thought it would be nice to have someone who takes care of everything, after all, he’s practically an acquaintance.
We then sat down and agreed from the beginning that the total budget should not exceed €150,000 (about $160,000). The architect said that wouldn’t be a problem. We regularly received new plans roughly every four weeks, and at some point, we were all satisfied and waited for everything to start.
We started planning in December 2015, and construction was supposed to begin around April this year. I then began looking for a loan. It quickly became clear that the banks need a detailed cost estimate to calculate the loan. But I don’t have a cost estimate. Still don’t. I told the architect several times that I haven’t secured any funds yet and that I won’t do so before I know how much this whole thing will actually cost. I understand that it usually ends up being a bit more expensive in the end, but having an approximate figure would be helpful to come to an agreement with the bank.
At one of our meetings, only the construction manager was present. He and the architect know each other personally and have apparently worked together many times. While the architect kept saying that €150,000 (about $160,000) would be no problem, the construction manager said nothing would work for less than €200,000 (about $215,000). That struck me as odd. And I simply can’t afford that.
We also can’t start building yet because the building permit / planning permission hasn’t been granted. We had a few problems with the building authority, which you hear about quite often. But we have been waiting since March. There were repeated requests to re-measure this or that. A few weeks ago, I called the building authority to ask why it’s taking so long. Contrary to my expectations, the man was very reasonable and didn’t fit the horror image of the “evil building authority” that always takes forever and never approves anything. Rather, he made it clear to me that as the client, I am paying the architect and it is my responsibility to push him forward because the building authority is not responsible for the delays. That made me even more suspicious.
Anyway, I have now been sitting here for almost a year looking forward to the next step in my life, and nothing is happening. Somehow, I have also lost trust in the whole thing, especially in the architect.
So here are my questions:
1. Is it normal for things to go this way? These delays and inconsistencies in the pricing?
2. If you lose trust in the architect, what steps should you take? What happens if I cancel the building project now? What do I have to pay him then?
3. How do I know the architect won’t abandon me halfway through? Does he have an interest in me finishing the house? Or does he say: “I don’t care if you can afford it or not, it has become more expensive now, I want to be paid now, even if you are left with an unfinished shell.”
4. Does it make sense to start over again? This time with a lawyer and/or a general contractor and everything that goes with it?
5. Is this whole thing even worthwhile with a budget of €150,000 (about $160,000)? According to the current plans, it’s about 100m² (about 1,080 sq ft) without a basement. (We already own the plot.)
I’m a bit frustrated and just needed to vent. ;-)
Best regards
Roccat
My building project somehow doesn’t seem to be progressing, and I’m starting to doubt whether it was even a good idea. :-/
-Short introduction-
I want to build a house or an extension on my parents’ (our) property together with them. The brother-in-law of an acquaintance of ours is an architect, and we talked about building a house. Since we have a good relationship with that acquaintance and the architect was recommended by her, we thought it would be a good idea to hire someone we know personally.
Since I have zero experience with construction projects myself and my parents basically renovated our house on their own about 30 years ago without much legal knowledge either, we thought it would be nice to have someone who takes care of everything, after all, he’s practically an acquaintance.
We then sat down and agreed from the beginning that the total budget should not exceed €150,000 (about $160,000). The architect said that wouldn’t be a problem. We regularly received new plans roughly every four weeks, and at some point, we were all satisfied and waited for everything to start.
We started planning in December 2015, and construction was supposed to begin around April this year. I then began looking for a loan. It quickly became clear that the banks need a detailed cost estimate to calculate the loan. But I don’t have a cost estimate. Still don’t. I told the architect several times that I haven’t secured any funds yet and that I won’t do so before I know how much this whole thing will actually cost. I understand that it usually ends up being a bit more expensive in the end, but having an approximate figure would be helpful to come to an agreement with the bank.
At one of our meetings, only the construction manager was present. He and the architect know each other personally and have apparently worked together many times. While the architect kept saying that €150,000 (about $160,000) would be no problem, the construction manager said nothing would work for less than €200,000 (about $215,000). That struck me as odd. And I simply can’t afford that.
We also can’t start building yet because the building permit / planning permission hasn’t been granted. We had a few problems with the building authority, which you hear about quite often. But we have been waiting since March. There were repeated requests to re-measure this or that. A few weeks ago, I called the building authority to ask why it’s taking so long. Contrary to my expectations, the man was very reasonable and didn’t fit the horror image of the “evil building authority” that always takes forever and never approves anything. Rather, he made it clear to me that as the client, I am paying the architect and it is my responsibility to push him forward because the building authority is not responsible for the delays. That made me even more suspicious.
Anyway, I have now been sitting here for almost a year looking forward to the next step in my life, and nothing is happening. Somehow, I have also lost trust in the whole thing, especially in the architect.
So here are my questions:
1. Is it normal for things to go this way? These delays and inconsistencies in the pricing?
2. If you lose trust in the architect, what steps should you take? What happens if I cancel the building project now? What do I have to pay him then?
3. How do I know the architect won’t abandon me halfway through? Does he have an interest in me finishing the house? Or does he say: “I don’t care if you can afford it or not, it has become more expensive now, I want to be paid now, even if you are left with an unfinished shell.”
4. Does it make sense to start over again? This time with a lawyer and/or a general contractor and everything that goes with it?
5. Is this whole thing even worthwhile with a budget of €150,000 (about $160,000)? According to the current plans, it’s about 100m² (about 1,080 sq ft) without a basement. (We already own the plot.)
I’m a bit frustrated and just needed to vent. ;-)
Best regards
Roccat
D
daniels8718 Sep 2016 17:02If it’s already starting like this, I would change the architect quickly.
By the way, the site manager is right; with all the additional costs, it will probably be tight.
By the way, the site manager is right; with all the additional costs, it will probably be tight.
H
HilfeHilfe19 Sep 2016 07:52It's always difficult when it comes to acquaintances... Nothing has happened yet, but I would think carefully before borrowing money and starting the project with him.
What problems have there been so far? A few issues with the building authority / planning office are already too many.
What problems have there been so far? A few issues with the building authority / planning office are already too many.
B
Bauexperte19 Sep 2016 10:51Good morning,
That was already the first mistake; never, ever hire an acquaintance for your house construction!
What else can I say except: one is sitting at the desk and the other is the hands-on expert? Basically, it shouldn’t work like this, but this is probably the "price" you pay for a favor.
Only he can answer that for you, and it depends crucially on the agreed fee.
You know him, not us!
A lawyer?
To answer that, you need plans and knowledge of the existing situation; an on-site inspection wouldn’t hurt either at this point.
Regards,
Bauexperte
Roccat schrieb:
The brother-in-law of an acquaintance of ours is an architect, and that’s how we started talking about building a house.
That was already the first mistake; never, ever hire an acquaintance for your house construction!
Roccat schrieb:
1. Is it normal for things to go like this? These delays and inconsistencies in the prices?
What else can I say except: one is sitting at the desk and the other is the hands-on expert? Basically, it shouldn’t work like this, but this is probably the "price" you pay for a favor.
Roccat schrieb:
2. If you lose trust in the architect, what steps should you take? What happens if I cancel the building project now? What do I have to pay him then?
Only he can answer that for you, and it depends crucially on the agreed fee.
Roccat schrieb:
3. How do I know the architect won’t leave me halfway through? Does he have an interest in helping me complete the house? Or will he say, "I don’t care if you can’t afford it, it just got more expensive, and I want to be paid now, even if you’re left with a construction site."
You know him, not us!
Roccat schrieb:
4. Does it make sense to start over? This time with a lawyer and/or a general contractor and everything that comes with it?
A lawyer?
Roccat schrieb:
5. Is this even worthwhile with a budget of €150,000? According to the current plans, it’s about 100m² (1,076 sq ft) without a basement. (We already own the plot)
To answer that, you need plans and knowledge of the existing situation; an on-site inspection wouldn’t hurt either at this point.
Regards,
Bauexperte
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