We want to build according to KfW55 standards, and our construction company includes KfW55 as a standard clause in the contract. So far, no problem. Now we need an expert to handle all confirmations and related tasks. According to the construction company (local general supervisor), this is also included and will be managed by an external KfW55 expert, who is, of course, commissioned by the construction company. They even provided us with the name of this expert, who is listed on the Energie-Effizienz-Experten.de website. Everything seems correct so far.
However, the KfW55 requirements mention something about financial independence? What does this mean in this context? Shouldn't I be the one to commission the KfW55 expert? Or am I misunderstanding something? The general supervisor, who guarantees KfW55 compliance in the contract, says that it has always been handled this way: everything is included in the price, and the expert completes all necessary forms, confirms everything for us, attends construction site visits, etc.
However, the KfW55 requirements mention something about financial independence? What does this mean in this context? Shouldn't I be the one to commission the KfW55 expert? Or am I misunderstanding something? The general supervisor, who guarantees KfW55 compliance in the contract, says that it has always been handled this way: everything is included in the price, and the expert completes all necessary forms, confirms everything for us, attends construction site visits, etc.
We are also building to KfW 55 standards and have an expert appointed by the general contractor.
We are still in the planning phase and have just submitted the building permit / planning permission application.
Keep in mind that the expert’s costs are subsidized up to 50%! However, this must be applied for before the project starts!
We are still in the planning phase and have just submitted the building permit / planning permission application.
Keep in mind that the expert’s costs are subsidized up to 50%! However, this must be applied for before the project starts!
He was hired by the general contractor but paid by you? Or how does the subsidy work in this case?
And what do you think about the passage in the KFW brochure regarding independence?
If you read this very carefully, it almost leads to the following interpretation:
- Construction company hires the expert for consulting, planning, and construction supervision
- But must not commission the expert for other tasks
!?
KFW is well known for unclear wording (for example, when combining KFW40 Plus and the Renewable Energy Act — but that is another topic).
And what do you think about the passage in the KFW brochure regarding independence?
The expert must be commissioned for the construction project in an economically independent manner. In addition to consulting, planning, and construction supervision for the project, the expert must not [...] be commissioned by these companies or suppliers
If you read this very carefully, it almost leads to the following interpretation:
- Construction company hires the expert for consulting, planning, and construction supervision
- But must not commission the expert for other tasks
!?
KFW is well known for unclear wording (for example, when combining KFW40 Plus and the Renewable Energy Act — but that is another topic).
Grym schrieb:
Was he was hired by the general contractor, but paid by you? Or how does the subsidy work then?That's right, we end up paying when the invoice arrives. We've already received correspondence from the expert, so communication goes through us.
We have also already received confirmation for the subsidy. I can check at home again to see exactly what it says.
Grym schrieb:
And what do you think about the passage in the KFW information sheet regarding independence?I think that’s generally correct and done quite often. That’s what our general contractor said, too...
I called KfW, and they said this would not be a problem. As long as the expert is on the approved list, it is fine. They just must not be permanently employed by the company. The grant is provided if the invoice is issued to me (I don’t even have to commission them; as long as the invoice is addressed to me, the grant applies). If the general contractor handles everything, the general contractor can apply for the grant (I have no idea if they actually do).
All of this was, of course, informally confirmed by phone. So it is not legally binding or anything similar, just telephone information.
All of this was, of course, informally confirmed by phone. So it is not legally binding or anything similar, just telephone information.
E
elVincent12 Oct 2016 09:28We are building to KfW55 standard, but using individual contracts and have therefore contracted the energy consulting services separately. The expert adjusted the plans in advance to meet the energy efficiency requirements needed for KfW55 and set the specifications for the executing companies (insulation thicknesses, thermal bridge optimization, etc.). During the shell construction phase, the expert conducted several site monitoring visits to verify and document compliance with these specifications.
I believe the clause about "economic independence" in the KfW regulations mainly aims to ensure that the expert can assert themselves against the contractors if necessary and is not just a puppet of the general contractor.
I believe the clause about "economic independence" in the KfW regulations mainly aims to ensure that the expert can assert themselves against the contractors if necessary and is not just a puppet of the general contractor.
The expert also has to carry out or verify the calculations for the planning, right?
We currently have the problem that we cannot yet submit the "Online Confirmation for the Application (BZA)" for the KfW and therefore have not received a firm approval for the KfW loan (although we were verbally promised one). The calculations are necessary for this "Online Confirmation for the Application (BZA)," but these can only be done once the planning is complete. The planning is not quite finished yet, as a corner window might still be removed.
It’s kind of a vicious circle...
We currently have the problem that we cannot yet submit the "Online Confirmation for the Application (BZA)" for the KfW and therefore have not received a firm approval for the KfW loan (although we were verbally promised one). The calculations are necessary for this "Online Confirmation for the Application (BZA)," but these can only be done once the planning is complete. The planning is not quite finished yet, as a corner window might still be removed.
It’s kind of a vicious circle...
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