We have a question regarding the Energy Saving Ordinance 2009 and solar energy. According to two of the potential builders, the current Energy Saving Ordinance 2009 can be met without solar panels, provided that the primary energy consumption is 15% below the requirements of the Energy Saving Ordinance 2009. This was also offered to us! What is your opinion on this? Is this just a cost-saving measure for the builder, or is it genuinely reasonable?
Thank you for your opinions
Klüsic
Thank you for your opinions
Klüsic
Hello,
It is possible to manage without solar thermal systems, especially since they are not always cost-effective.
If you want to save or replace energy costs later, this always involves an investment.
The basic rule is: The best energy is the energy that is not needed or consumed! This means minimizing heat loss through the building envelope and ventilation.
By the way, you clearly need considerable advice because your project is 99% a general contractor (GC) measure rather than a purchase of a turnkey building.
Make sure to arrange for external construction supervision well before signing the contract, especially for the building and the building services systems, as there are significant risks due to the current cost and competitive pressures.
Best regards
It is possible to manage without solar thermal systems, especially since they are not always cost-effective.
If you want to save or replace energy costs later, this always involves an investment.
The basic rule is: The best energy is the energy that is not needed or consumed! This means minimizing heat loss through the building envelope and ventilation.
By the way, you clearly need considerable advice because your project is 99% a general contractor (GC) measure rather than a purchase of a turnkey building.
Make sure to arrange for external construction supervision well before signing the contract, especially for the building and the building services systems, as there are significant risks due to the current cost and competitive pressures.
Best regards
Hello,
I have a few questions regarding your post:
- "By the way, you clearly need substantial advice, since your project is 99% likely to be a general contractor (GC) project rather than a purchase from a property developer!"
We have approached a general contractor because we want to have the house built by one. What is the difference compared to a property developer, and why is there a need for advice? I’m still not entirely clear on this. Thanks!
- "Make sure to arrange external construction supervision well before signing the contract, especially regarding the building and particularly the building services, because there are significant risks due to current cost and competitive pressures."
Can you recommend anything for this, and what should one expect to invest in such external construction supervision? I’m thinking of Dekra. Maybe I should also ask around among friends and acquaintances for references. Perhaps someone knows a good one.
Thanks and regards
Kluesic
I have a few questions regarding your post:
- "By the way, you clearly need substantial advice, since your project is 99% likely to be a general contractor (GC) project rather than a purchase from a property developer!"
We have approached a general contractor because we want to have the house built by one. What is the difference compared to a property developer, and why is there a need for advice? I’m still not entirely clear on this. Thanks!
- "Make sure to arrange external construction supervision well before signing the contract, especially regarding the building and particularly the building services, because there are significant risks due to current cost and competitive pressures."
Can you recommend anything for this, and what should one expect to invest in such external construction supervision? I’m thinking of Dekra. Maybe I should also ask around among friends and acquaintances for references. Perhaps someone knows a good one.
Thanks and regards
Kluesic
Hello,
As I suspected, this is a construction project with a general contractor (GC) or main contractor. A property developer sells the completed building along with the land. These are completely different frameworks and conditions.
I don’t think it necessarily has to be an organization like that. I recall a scandal where one of these “monitoring associations” issued a guarantee to a GC. The clients relied on this certificate but were still severely disappointed because there were some “financial entanglements.” Additionally, in my opinion, these organizations tend to be quite bureaucratic and slow. Independence and qualifications are the most important factors. The majority of architects, for example, are completely overwhelmed when it comes to building services engineering. A dual education (e.g., a graduate engineer in both civil and building services engineering) is especially valuable!
The costs obviously depend on the agreed scope, so no flat-rate statement can be given. However, they are much more moderate than often assumed. I usually propose different service packages with respective costs and scopes to my clients.
Particularly important is the area of building services (heating, domestic hot water, possibly ventilation and solar)! There are often considerable shortcomings in GC projects here, as these aspects are usually insufficiently or not planned, sized, and calculated at all—they are just estimated. This frequently leads to inefficient systems. Modern building services technology is significantly more expensive but also much more sensitive. To fully utilize its technical possibilities, proper sizing is essential. This cannot be achieved with “estimates,” “guesses,” “assumptions,” or “gut feelings.”
[ B ]Small[ /B ] engineering firms specializing in the overall task (construction supervision, monitoring, building services) are ideal. This way, clients can keep costs moderate!
In conclusion:
Building with a GC can be very cost-effective and of assured quality if an external, independent, and objective project supervision is involved.
Best regards
Kluesic schrieb:
.., since we want to have the house built by someone.
As I suspected, this is a construction project with a general contractor (GC) or main contractor. A property developer sells the completed building along with the land. These are completely different frameworks and conditions.
Kluesic schrieb:
...
Can you recommend anything, and what should one expect to invest for such external construction supervision? I am thinking of Dekra.
I don’t think it necessarily has to be an organization like that. I recall a scandal where one of these “monitoring associations” issued a guarantee to a GC. The clients relied on this certificate but were still severely disappointed because there were some “financial entanglements.” Additionally, in my opinion, these organizations tend to be quite bureaucratic and slow. Independence and qualifications are the most important factors. The majority of architects, for example, are completely overwhelmed when it comes to building services engineering. A dual education (e.g., a graduate engineer in both civil and building services engineering) is especially valuable!
The costs obviously depend on the agreed scope, so no flat-rate statement can be given. However, they are much more moderate than often assumed. I usually propose different service packages with respective costs and scopes to my clients.
Particularly important is the area of building services (heating, domestic hot water, possibly ventilation and solar)! There are often considerable shortcomings in GC projects here, as these aspects are usually insufficiently or not planned, sized, and calculated at all—they are just estimated. This frequently leads to inefficient systems. Modern building services technology is significantly more expensive but also much more sensitive. To fully utilize its technical possibilities, proper sizing is essential. This cannot be achieved with “estimates,” “guesses,” “assumptions,” or “gut feelings.”
[ B ]Small[ /B ] engineering firms specializing in the overall task (construction supervision, monitoring, building services) are ideal. This way, clients can keep costs moderate!
In conclusion:
Building with a GC can be very cost-effective and of assured quality if an external, independent, and objective project supervision is involved.
Best regards
B
Bauherren201024 Apr 2010 09:46Building authorities don’t really take care of this anymore!
Hello everyone, another much bigger problem has come up for me in the area of house construction.
Building authorities receive documents from developers/general contractors that contain many good values. However, it is almost never verified whether everything is actually installed as specified. The authorities say the architect or the construction manager should handle this, but most of the time these people are not accessible or are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Example: foundation slab insulation—who checks if it is installed? If yes, is the insulation thickness correct? On most construction sites, people don’t even think about how important this is.
By now, you could write books on the topic.
Regards,
Bauherren2010 😕
Hello everyone, another much bigger problem has come up for me in the area of house construction.
Building authorities receive documents from developers/general contractors that contain many good values. However, it is almost never verified whether everything is actually installed as specified. The authorities say the architect or the construction manager should handle this, but most of the time these people are not accessible or are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Example: foundation slab insulation—who checks if it is installed? If yes, is the insulation thickness correct? On most construction sites, people don’t even think about how important this is.
By now, you could write books on the topic.
Regards,
Bauherren2010 😕
@€uro
Thank you for the information, we will look into hiring a construction supervisor.
I do have another question, which isn’t exactly related to this topic, but I’ll ask anyway:
We have had several discussions with a general contractor (GC) and can imagine building with them. At the last meeting, they mentioned that prices would increase in about four weeks. This doesn’t refer to the list prices, but rather the possible discounts they can offer. Those four weeks have now passed, and they have offered us a contract with the old prices locked in. However, there is a one-month deadline during which the price is guaranteed. We had the contract reviewed by a lawyer to confirm that we can withdraw free of charge within this period, which is fine. This deadline is coming up soon.
My question to you, @€uro: Are these just tactics to bind the client and keep them off the market? My wife and I are currently under a lot of time pressure, which usually isn’t ideal for decision-making in building. I’m curious about your opinion on this.
Thank you
Kluesic
Thank you for the information, we will look into hiring a construction supervisor.
I do have another question, which isn’t exactly related to this topic, but I’ll ask anyway:
We have had several discussions with a general contractor (GC) and can imagine building with them. At the last meeting, they mentioned that prices would increase in about four weeks. This doesn’t refer to the list prices, but rather the possible discounts they can offer. Those four weeks have now passed, and they have offered us a contract with the old prices locked in. However, there is a one-month deadline during which the price is guaranteed. We had the contract reviewed by a lawyer to confirm that we can withdraw free of charge within this period, which is fine. This deadline is coming up soon.
My question to you, @€uro: Are these just tactics to bind the client and keep them off the market? My wife and I are currently under a lot of time pressure, which usually isn’t ideal for decision-making in building. I’m curious about your opinion on this.
Thank you
Kluesic
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