ᐅ Initial Consultation Appointment with the Prefabricated House Manufacturer
Created on: 19 Jun 2017 18:38
I
Illexchubby
Hello everyone,
My girlfriend and I have decided to fulfill our dream of owning a home. We chose to build a prefabricated house and have already provisionally reserved a plot of land that meets our location and price expectations.
Our plan was (and is) to sit down with prefab house manufacturers, show them our development plan and regulations, and then work together on possible floor plans that meet our individual wishes. We also hoped to get some initial quotes to help us plan and estimate the financing of the whole project.
It’s quite a rough approach for the beginning, I know, but this was primarily meant to help us decide for or against the reserved plot and, of course, to better estimate whether we can afford it.
Over the last few months, we have visited many model home parks and have narrowed down to 3-4 preferred manufacturers.
We recently scheduled our first appointment for a consultation. By the way, it was with a “top” manufacturer, at least according to recent reviews from sources like FocusMoney.
At the start of the meeting, the representative neither introduced herself nor her company in any way. It quickly became clear that the main purpose of the meeting was just to present us with an initial offer. We had sent our plot plan in advance, requesting a review and feedback regarding the location and orientation, but we received no response on that. When I asked about it, she just said she showed it to an architect, who did not see any issues. We flipped through some catalogs, and when I pointed out a floor plan that roughly matched our ideas, it was immediately noted for inclusion in the offer. Then she asked me which heating system I wanted. But who would know that at the first meeting? She then mentioned that for this size, about 160m² (1720 square feet) over two floors, it basically only makes sense to build to KfW55 standards and use an air-source heat pump. When I asked how flexible the floor plans could be, she said we would handle that with the architect later, when the time comes. However, it turned out that I can only see the architect if I sign a preliminary contract because, according to her, the planning involves high costs and the company needs a certain level of security. I also learned that this manufacturer does not have in-house architects but commissions them externally.
Is this the usual process? I feel like I can't buy a plot without at least a floor plan or rough draft, right? At the kitchen showroom, they design my kitchen for the space before I sign anything! I always thought you first look at the building site with the architect in person…
Am I mistaken? Is this just wishful thinking on my part? What can I realistically expect?
Thanks a lot for your answers.
Best regards,
Dennis
My girlfriend and I have decided to fulfill our dream of owning a home. We chose to build a prefabricated house and have already provisionally reserved a plot of land that meets our location and price expectations.
Our plan was (and is) to sit down with prefab house manufacturers, show them our development plan and regulations, and then work together on possible floor plans that meet our individual wishes. We also hoped to get some initial quotes to help us plan and estimate the financing of the whole project.
It’s quite a rough approach for the beginning, I know, but this was primarily meant to help us decide for or against the reserved plot and, of course, to better estimate whether we can afford it.
Over the last few months, we have visited many model home parks and have narrowed down to 3-4 preferred manufacturers.
We recently scheduled our first appointment for a consultation. By the way, it was with a “top” manufacturer, at least according to recent reviews from sources like FocusMoney.
At the start of the meeting, the representative neither introduced herself nor her company in any way. It quickly became clear that the main purpose of the meeting was just to present us with an initial offer. We had sent our plot plan in advance, requesting a review and feedback regarding the location and orientation, but we received no response on that. When I asked about it, she just said she showed it to an architect, who did not see any issues. We flipped through some catalogs, and when I pointed out a floor plan that roughly matched our ideas, it was immediately noted for inclusion in the offer. Then she asked me which heating system I wanted. But who would know that at the first meeting? She then mentioned that for this size, about 160m² (1720 square feet) over two floors, it basically only makes sense to build to KfW55 standards and use an air-source heat pump. When I asked how flexible the floor plans could be, she said we would handle that with the architect later, when the time comes. However, it turned out that I can only see the architect if I sign a preliminary contract because, according to her, the planning involves high costs and the company needs a certain level of security. I also learned that this manufacturer does not have in-house architects but commissions them externally.
Is this the usual process? I feel like I can't buy a plot without at least a floor plan or rough draft, right? At the kitchen showroom, they design my kitchen for the space before I sign anything! I always thought you first look at the building site with the architect in person…
Am I mistaken? Is this just wishful thinking on my part? What can I realistically expect?
Thanks a lot for your answers.
Best regards,
Dennis
Illexchubby schrieb:
I’ve read in construction diaries that there are indeed companies that design a custom house in advance (at least roughly) and place it on the plot. They do exist. But whether a potential buyer appreciates that and understands the effort involved is not always obvious. In that sense, I also find the cautious reactions from the providers’ side understandable. Experiences like the one described, where suddenly twenty bidders appear just to entertain His Majesty King Customer, unfortunately happen frequently for providers. Basically, your approach is fine.
Illexchubby schrieb:
The building experts here probably immediately know how to deal with such a plot, what is possible and what is not. But we simply don’t know. And I don’t think that’s a problem. That’s not a problem at all. It’s perfectly fine to be a layperson, and most experts here are professionals with experience. Show us the plot and what the zoning plan says, and you will get help interpreting the site’s potential.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Illexchubby schrieb:
My concern is "only" this:
We managed to reserve one of the last plots in our desired location and now have six months to decide for or against it. The plot has a slight slope (about 1.5m (5 feet) over approximately 30m (100 feet)) and a predefined driveway. To us as "laypeople," everything looks great. Still, we keep wondering why this particular plot was left over. Coincidence? We don’t know. Don’t let the idea of this being the “last plot” confuse you too much.
If, say, there are about 30 plots available, everyone naturally picks the best ones first. But that doesn’t mean the remaining plots are necessarily bad.
It was similar in our new development. Despite strong demand overall, there were four plots that received no offers within the application deadline. The price per square meter was the same for all plots, and those left had large trees standing on them. At first, you naturally exclude those because there were still 40 other plots to choose from costing the same per square meter and without trees.
They were taken in a second round, at least that’s what the sales plan shows.
I agree with ypg. Expecting free advice is almost unreasonable. As a builder or homeowner, you shouldn’t be too proud to put some thought into things yourself, especially if you need to stick to a budget. You want to know if the plot is suitable? Check the building plan or planning permission. Yes, building on a slope is something many builders have managed before. So, what specific information are you missing?
A floor plan is not decisive when choosing a developer or contractor. A standard draft is usually enough to estimate the square meters. And if that’s not sufficient, then pay a consultant for an inspection of your property. That’s what we did when we looked at older houses.
A floor plan is not decisive when choosing a developer or contractor. A standard draft is usually enough to estimate the square meters. And if that’s not sufficient, then pay a consultant for an inspection of your property. That’s what we did when we looked at older houses.
S
Steffen8023 Jun 2017 13:37@TE: Do you even have any idea what’s currently going on in the market?!!! Nobody who is even remotely skilled and has a reputation is waiting for you. Everyone’s schedules are completely full. Those building in 2017 or 2018 can be glad if they even get to work with good people. No one even wants to negotiate prices anymore. The market is basically out of control. We have two preferred landscape contractors—one says we can plan in 2018, the other says building would be possible in 2019… great
You can usually get a good idea of the soil conditions from people who have already built there, even without an official report. At least roughly....
We only started detailed planning for the house on the plot when Mr. S., the owner of our construction company, who is also an engineer and master carpenter, realized that we were serious and wanted to build with him. By early September 2016, the floor plan was almost finalized. The price was right, the bank said no problem, so I called him and said, “Mr. S., now it’s getting serious. The next appointment will be the final one. When do you have two hours for us again?” Before this meeting, he had visited our plot, reviewed the soil report, and had a concrete, intelligent proposal for how to place our house on it. We still had to adjust the site coverage ratio a bit—we were 2 sqm (22 sq ft) over—which gave me an idea he supported. We planned the entrance to the house to be barrier-free and suitable for walkers. We considered the garden, and based on his inspection, he gave us a very accurate estimate of the additional earthworks costs, which almost matched the final figures. Etc. And in the end, he gave us a kind of protocol summarizing everything discussed; the three of us shook hands, and that was the contract. Ten days later, we signed the building permit / planning permission application.
That’s how it works, and what you want, they won’t do. Steffen is right—they don’t have to waste time chatting with 3,000 fake prospects; they have enough genuine clients with money and the will to build. Karsten
We only started detailed planning for the house on the plot when Mr. S., the owner of our construction company, who is also an engineer and master carpenter, realized that we were serious and wanted to build with him. By early September 2016, the floor plan was almost finalized. The price was right, the bank said no problem, so I called him and said, “Mr. S., now it’s getting serious. The next appointment will be the final one. When do you have two hours for us again?” Before this meeting, he had visited our plot, reviewed the soil report, and had a concrete, intelligent proposal for how to place our house on it. We still had to adjust the site coverage ratio a bit—we were 2 sqm (22 sq ft) over—which gave me an idea he supported. We planned the entrance to the house to be barrier-free and suitable for walkers. We considered the garden, and based on his inspection, he gave us a very accurate estimate of the additional earthworks costs, which almost matched the final figures. Etc. And in the end, he gave us a kind of protocol summarizing everything discussed; the three of us shook hands, and that was the contract. Ten days later, we signed the building permit / planning permission application.
That’s how it works, and what you want, they won’t do. Steffen is right—they don’t have to waste time chatting with 3,000 fake prospects; they have enough genuine clients with money and the will to build. Karsten
Illexchubby schrieb:
I also do professional drafting on the computerArchitectural services have nothing to do with computer work.
Yes, some use it as a tool—also because inexperienced clients believe they are in good hands once the 3D animation starts running.
But that is not the case. It is rather creativity, combined with knowledge and empathy, that makes good planning. This can just as well be done with graphite.
And, for the last time, I repeat myself: a design takes several weeks because it needs to evolve.
For a cost estimate, a standard production house from the drawer is sufficient!
Visit your building site, let it and the surroundings have an effect on you, check the zoning plan (I believe you have already done so), and place some standard house models from the internet that you like onto it. Draw something and see if your rough ideas fit. Do not disempower yourselves.
Next, consult an architect. You can always build with a general contractor afterward.
That’s how everyone does it!
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