Hello everyone,
I have a question again.
How many quotes have you obtained, and how did you choose one?
We currently have two quotes. The floor plans are not 100% perfect in either, but overall we like both designs.
The designs differ in several ways. One is larger, the other has more windows... one builder includes a wooden staircase as standard, the other a steel-wood staircase; one has tiled entrance hall flooring, the other does not; sometimes the bathroom is tiled up to ceiling height, sometimes only halfway... one provides prices for extra sockets, the other does not, and so on.
I am really overwhelmed at the moment.
Is it okay to approach a builder with another builder’s design and ask for a quote based on that?
Thank you very much in advance and best regards!
I have a question again.
How many quotes have you obtained, and how did you choose one?
We currently have two quotes. The floor plans are not 100% perfect in either, but overall we like both designs.
The designs differ in several ways. One is larger, the other has more windows... one builder includes a wooden staircase as standard, the other a steel-wood staircase; one has tiled entrance hall flooring, the other does not; sometimes the bathroom is tiled up to ceiling height, sometimes only halfway... one provides prices for extra sockets, the other does not, and so on.
I am really overwhelmed at the moment.
Is it okay to approach a builder with another builder’s design and ask for a quote based on that?
Thank you very much in advance and best regards!
Katdreas schrieb:
Well, as soon as we finally had a plot of land, we went to the first construction company to discuss our ideas and so on. Some things were discouraged, others recommended...
At some point, we had the first draft. We noticed what we liked and what we didn’t. Then we received a second draft from the same company.
With a second construction company, we could already be more specific about what we wanted...
Anyway, now we have two drafts that are similar but by no means identical!
For both, we have cost estimates and detailed descriptions of the scope of work, but they can’t easily be compared side by side.
Suppose we refine the draft with one provider until we’re completely satisfied and then take that draft, scope of work, and cost estimate to provider number 3 to request a quote asking if they can build exactly the same house?
One company does all the planning work and consulting, and the other has it easier because they can take over everything? Is that how it works? Don’t the providers have “rights” to their work?Apart from the fact that I would end up with three drafts [emoji6]
But it can’t work like that.
A general contractor (GC) is a GC because they have found, calculated, and advertised their standard offer. One builds with sand-lime bricks, another only with Poroton blocks.
Their preferred window supplier offers Schüco windows, the other uses a different brand.
In the end, it’s all about equipment features that you can have priced.
Is this a GC or a subcontractor?
General contractor or builder?
They are both general contractors.
We tried the list and filling it out.
But as you already said: how am I supposed to know which windows are better or which staircase is higher quality?
One provider initially seems cheaper, but I’m afraid they simply didn’t include many things that I, as a layperson, wouldn’t notice. And then there will be a shock later.
We tried the list and filling it out.
But as you already said: how am I supposed to know which windows are better or which staircase is higher quality?
One provider initially seems cheaper, but I’m afraid they simply didn’t include many things that I, as a layperson, wouldn’t notice. And then there will be a shock later.
Katdreas schrieb:
But as you already say: how am I supposed to know which windows are better or which staircase is of higher quality? You can’t. For someone without construction experience, it’s practically impossible to know. There are too many factors, and you would need to develop specialized technical knowledge in many areas. However, you can ask previous clients of the builders: if they are satisfied, that gives you an understandable indication of quality from a non-expert perspective.
Katdreas schrieb:
but I’m afraid that he simply didn’t include many things that might not be obvious to me as a layperson. There’s only one solution: don’t stay uninformed, read here for a while. From topics like temporary power supply on site and related terms. And learn how to interpret: for example, “according to standards” means “standard level with no room for error.” It’ll be okay. Other homebuilders were all “clueless” at the start too :-)
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
You can also have the scope of work reviewed by experts.
For example, windows are specified based on the U-value to meet energy-saving regulations. That should be sufficient. In other words: nothing should be substandard.
As @11ant already mentioned: check references and talk to previous clients.
Absorb everything in this forum, read every thread—there’s always something that helps you become better informed.
Someone here once wrote that they compared the scope of work from 10! general contractors. That’s too many.
Go with your gut feeling, too.
We ordered many catalogs but only had a second appointment with one builder without comparing others: he had the house we wanted, one that not everyone offered. He had a good price and references. He was the only one with a wooden front door; between steel frame and wood, we were able to decide. We could always choose between options that appealed to us. In the end, we got what we paid for. If we had wanted more, we would have had to pay more. But everything was very fair, and we almost always had a good feeling.
Always clarify prices for optional features in advance—whether it’s tile size, an electrical outlet, or a roof window. You can do this with both providers and compare... that reveals their company policies.
For example, windows are specified based on the U-value to meet energy-saving regulations. That should be sufficient. In other words: nothing should be substandard.
As @11ant already mentioned: check references and talk to previous clients.
Absorb everything in this forum, read every thread—there’s always something that helps you become better informed.
Someone here once wrote that they compared the scope of work from 10! general contractors. That’s too many.
Go with your gut feeling, too.
We ordered many catalogs but only had a second appointment with one builder without comparing others: he had the house we wanted, one that not everyone offered. He had a good price and references. He was the only one with a wooden front door; between steel frame and wood, we were able to decide. We could always choose between options that appealed to us. In the end, we got what we paid for. If we had wanted more, we would have had to pay more. But everything was very fair, and we almost always had a good feeling.
Always clarify prices for optional features in advance—whether it’s tile size, an electrical outlet, or a roof window. You can do this with both providers and compare... that reveals their company policies.
We recently faced a very similar situation: two remaining offers from five providers (one large, one smaller regional general contractor), now with similar floor plans, both very likable, house costs almost identical, and the scope of work descriptions also very similar at first glance.
While my partner was on a business trip, I spent the evenings creating a spreadsheet on the computer. I compared both scope of work descriptions trade by trade and added an extra column for everything that needs to be done by the homeowner, additional costs, etc.
It took me many hours of work, but it helped us a lot. Our experience was that each scope of work description on its own seemed completely clear. By comparing them, I read much more carefully and googled here and there to understand the differences in the descriptions. This way, I expanded my layman’s knowledge and gained a better overall understanding of everything involved in building a house. I also found the notes to the homeowners in both scope of work descriptions very helpful, which explain what tasks we need to handle ourselves. For example, this was the first time I really realized that earthworks involve much more than just excavating for the basement and backfilling. ;D
So, we were able to find out for ourselves that while both offers were indeed very similar, the local contractor was slightly better in various areas, does a bit more, and personally, we preferred their fittings.
Additionally, last week we had appointments with former homeowners and visited a house just before handover (still without floor coverings, wall paint, etc.). I can definitely recommend that. =) We especially enjoyed exchanging experiences with the former homeowners!
Taking the floor plan from contractor A to contractor B probably wouldn’t have worked for us. Almost all the designs we received explicitly stated that they are the property of the respective provider and that sharing or forwarding is only allowed with written permission.
While my partner was on a business trip, I spent the evenings creating a spreadsheet on the computer. I compared both scope of work descriptions trade by trade and added an extra column for everything that needs to be done by the homeowner, additional costs, etc.
It took me many hours of work, but it helped us a lot. Our experience was that each scope of work description on its own seemed completely clear. By comparing them, I read much more carefully and googled here and there to understand the differences in the descriptions. This way, I expanded my layman’s knowledge and gained a better overall understanding of everything involved in building a house. I also found the notes to the homeowners in both scope of work descriptions very helpful, which explain what tasks we need to handle ourselves. For example, this was the first time I really realized that earthworks involve much more than just excavating for the basement and backfilling. ;D
So, we were able to find out for ourselves that while both offers were indeed very similar, the local contractor was slightly better in various areas, does a bit more, and personally, we preferred their fittings.
Additionally, last week we had appointments with former homeowners and visited a house just before handover (still without floor coverings, wall paint, etc.). I can definitely recommend that. =) We especially enjoyed exchanging experiences with the former homeowners!
Taking the floor plan from contractor A to contractor B probably wouldn’t have worked for us. Almost all the designs we received explicitly stated that they are the property of the respective provider and that sharing or forwarding is only allowed with written permission.