Good evening,
I hope this is the right place for my topic. I would like to hear your opinion about our energy consultant.
We are currently in the detailed planning phase of our semi-detached house with our independent architect. The architect designed the semi-detached house to meet the Energy Efficiency Standard 55. For support as an expert, an energy consultant provided us with a fee proposal of 2,850 euros. Half of this amount would qualify for funding under the KfW program.
Believing that we would meet the KfW 55 standard, we accepted the offer. However, after several meetings with the architect and the energy consultant’s calculations, it has now become clear that we will not achieve the 55 standard with our project, but only the 70 standard, which no longer qualifies for funding. Our energy consultant is now insisting on the originally agreed price.
He argues that the calculations already done, the ongoing support, and the issuance of the energy performance certificate justify this fee. As a goodwill gesture, he is willing to reduce the fee so that he receives a total of 2,400 euros for supporting a KfW 70 project—which, as mentioned, is no longer eligible for funding.
Are these fees typical? In my opinion, the offer was based on the wrong assumption, as we only agreed under the belief that he would assist us with a KfW 55 project.
Does anyone have advice on how to proceed?
Best regards
I hope this is the right place for my topic. I would like to hear your opinion about our energy consultant.
We are currently in the detailed planning phase of our semi-detached house with our independent architect. The architect designed the semi-detached house to meet the Energy Efficiency Standard 55. For support as an expert, an energy consultant provided us with a fee proposal of 2,850 euros. Half of this amount would qualify for funding under the KfW program.
Believing that we would meet the KfW 55 standard, we accepted the offer. However, after several meetings with the architect and the energy consultant’s calculations, it has now become clear that we will not achieve the 55 standard with our project, but only the 70 standard, which no longer qualifies for funding. Our energy consultant is now insisting on the originally agreed price.
He argues that the calculations already done, the ongoing support, and the issuance of the energy performance certificate justify this fee. As a goodwill gesture, he is willing to reduce the fee so that he receives a total of 2,400 euros for supporting a KfW 70 project—which, as mentioned, is no longer eligible for funding.
Are these fees typical? In my opinion, the offer was based on the wrong assumption, as we only agreed under the belief that he would assist us with a KfW 55 project.
Does anyone have advice on how to proceed?
Best regards
T
toxicmolotof5 Jun 2018 01:37Well, the calculations are basically the same. Whether the result is 55 or 70, it doesn't make a difference. The certificate still needs to be issued, as does the thermal insulation verification. So no matter how you look at it, the only savings are in the effort where the two confirmations for the KfW need to be prepared beforehand or afterwards (or not at all).
Whether the price is justified is up to someone else to decide.
But on a different note: What is the reason you’re not reaching KfW55? There should be a detailed report to justify the work. It can’t be that far off.
Whether the price is justified is up to someone else to decide.
But on a different note: What is the reason you’re not reaching KfW55? There should be a detailed report to justify the work. It can’t be that far off.
He has done the calculations, and if the planned building quality does not meet KFW 55 standards, that is not his fault. However, it is his responsibility to indicate what improvements are needed to achieve KFW 55. Why don’t you follow this approach? What is preventing you from reaching KFW 55 — primary energy demand or the building envelope?
Since site supervision and the paperwork with KFW (development bank) are not required, in my opinion, he only prepared the thermal protection certificate. For that, I find up to €1500 reasonable.
Since site supervision and the paperwork with KFW (development bank) are not required, in my opinion, he only prepared the thermal protection certificate. For that, I find up to €1500 reasonable.
H
HilfeHilfe5 Jun 2018 06:59At least he had a basis for the initial assessment of your architect (?) Someone had the idea/design to build a 55 standard house. I would hold him to that and insist that it is achieved. Did he make any suggestions on how to reach the 55 standard and what additional costs it would involve?
T
toxicmolotof5 Jun 2018 07:01Alex85 schrieb:
Since the construction supervision and the paperwork with KFW are eliminated, in my opinion, he only prepared the thermal insulation certificate. For that, I find up to 1500€ appropriate.Well, as described above, the contract apparently still includes construction supervision, which he intends to continue.
That would indeed be a point where some savings might be possible.
toxicmolotow schrieb:
Well, as described above, the contract also includes construction supervision, which he still intends to maintain.
That would indeed be another area where some costs could potentially be saved.If he still provides construction supervision, the fee would be acceptable. Then only the KfW paperwork remains.
Without the KfW program, construction supervision by the energy consultant is, in my opinion, not necessary. Does he want to measure the thickness of the insulation installed? Construction supervision isn’t needed for that.