ᐅ Initial Discussions with Prefabricated House Manufacturers – Any Tips?

Marcello schrieb:
Conversations with prefab home providers.

Probably means: Visits to model homes, but with independent sales agents (?)

Marcello schrieb:
Are there things I absolutely must say, but especially things I should definitely avoid saying (already) at this stage?

Exercise your right to remain silent, and as already mentioned here, do not sign anything. Also, do not discuss money yet, especially not your actual maximum budget openly. Let your conversation partners present what they have to offer first. Take notes and later organize them like an accountant into a two-column table, similar to debit and credit sides: on one side, separate facts about their own offers, and on the other, any negative remarks about competitors. Usually, one of those “birds” then disqualifies themselves.

Building a house involves much more money than buying a car, but that doesn’t make the sellers any more trustworthy.

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I can only agree with the previous contributors.

During our first meeting, the two sales representatives already gave it away. They told us all sorts of fantastic stories, making everything sound incredibly easy and perfect. They were eager to get us to sign right away, offering a special deal that included a fantastic Weber grill... (the next company offered a complete kitchen or an electric bike...)

We stated our maximum budget and received the offer by email days later... we could hardly believe it— even the representative was over the moon... we got the offer within just 400€ (about 430 USD) of our maximum budget!!! Unbelievable!!!

- Make sure to get detailed building and service specifications
- Ask if you can visit a previous customer’s home to get an impression on-site and talk to people who have experience with the company
- Take your time and obtain as many quotes as possible from different companies. It’s better to spend two or three more weekends on this than to risk paying too much later.
- Order as many model home catalogs as possible online and go through them carefully.

Regards,
Michael

Yes, never state your desired price, as it will definitely be outbid, GUARANTEED.

Hello,

In September 2016, we visited the prefab house exhibition near Hannover Airport. There, we were interested in the model home "Carina" by Gussek Haus. After a very pleasant conversation inside the house, we were given a price of about 230,000 EUR.

Two months later, we attended an open house event by Gussek Haus in Nordhorn. During another discussion on-site, the same house was already priced at 297,000 EUR, plus any optional upgrades.

At the end of the day, we also won a voucher worth 5,000 EUR, which can be applied if we place an order.

Regards,
Matthias

Let the money talk – not you!

Bieber0815 schrieb:
Request the full building and service specification in writing.

Ask for a standard contract template.

Okay, noted. Thanks.

Bieber0815 schrieb:
Have both reviewed independently and get independent advice on them. Then proceed to the second meeting.

Have the standard contracts and the service specifications reviewed? Since having a lawyer or building consultant review these already costs money, wouldn’t it make sense to have your own preliminary contract checked? The standard contracts are probably all “great” and “perfect” anyway.

Baumfachmann schrieb:
Including the foundation slab. €278,000 price after selecting premium finishes.
Just so you have a comparison.

Thanks, that’s helpful. I also think that’s a good price. Which provider/general contractor? (feel free to send a private message)

Dindin schrieb:
Ask if it might be possible to arrange a factory tour or even a preliminary selection appointment.

Thanks, noted; we will ask about that.

Dindin schrieb:
Ask if you can get contacts of other homeowners to exchange experiences with them.

Thanks, that will be done as well.

Dindin schrieb:
Clarify what is included in the calculated additional building costs. For example, some providers require the homeowner to arrange and pay for the portable toilet or the construction waste container themselves, while others include these in the price.

Will do. Question: Is there room for negotiation here, or do they always have the same services in the contract?

Dindin schrieb:
Do you already have a plot of land?

Yes, luckily.

11ant schrieb:
Probably means: discussions in show homes, but with independent sales agents (?)

Exactly. With those ladies and gentlemen who are at the show homes. So is it better to get in touch directly with the prefab home manufacturer?

11ant schrieb:
And don’t talk about money yet, especially not openly about your actual maximum budget.

Got it, we won’t say anything. Thanks.

11ant schrieb:
Take notes and later transfer them like an accountant into a two-column table, as debit and credit: separating facts about their own offers on one side and badmouthing of competitors on the other. Usually, one of those guys shoots themselves in the foot that way.

Great, thanks. That’s exactly the kind of tip I was hoping for. I will do that.

Invi85 schrieb:
- Take your time and get as many offers from different companies as possible. Better to spend an extra two or three weekends than to overpay later.
- Order as many show home catalogs online as possible and work through them.

We’ve done that. We plan to conduct all meetings between mid-January and mid-February. That’s 4-5 weeks and 3-4 providers (which might actually be too few). We’ve now received catalogs from over 20 providers, filling half the living room. But they really helped us find our taste and eliminate most of the providers.

Hover1981 schrieb:
We were at the prefab home village in Hannover at the airport in September 2016.

We know that one all too well too.