ᐅ New Single-Family Home Construction: Is It Advisable to Hire a Private Architect in Advance?
Created on: 23 Jul 2012 12:00
P
phobos
Hi!
Here is the situation:
We want to build a single-family house. It will be a prefabricated house using a timber frame construction.
We already have a building plot in the town center in consideration and are close to purchasing it. However, I want to first make sure that we can actually build our dream house on this plot.
There is still an old house in poor condition on the plot, as well as a barn and a masonry double garage with a laundry room.
We plan to demolish the barn and build the house there.
However, the double garage with the extra room is in the way.
Now we have two options:
1. Demolish the garage and build our house (which is not yet finalized) new, with floor plans like those in the catalog.
- I would prefer not to do this because the garage is probably worth around 20,000€ (about 20,000 USD).
2. Somehow integrate the garage into the construction of the single-family house.
- This is my preferred option.
Regarding option 2:
Is this even feasible with a prefabricated house? If yes, how could it affect the overall cost of the house?
Does anyone here have experience or can provide an assessment?
Furthermore, I am wondering whether it would make sense to have an architect who is not involved in the construction come to the site to check the conditions and possibilities in person.
I do not yet know which manufacturer we will build with but would still like to understand in advance the opportunities, challenges, etc. that the plot might present.
Best regards,
phobos
Here is the situation:
We want to build a single-family house. It will be a prefabricated house using a timber frame construction.
We already have a building plot in the town center in consideration and are close to purchasing it. However, I want to first make sure that we can actually build our dream house on this plot.
There is still an old house in poor condition on the plot, as well as a barn and a masonry double garage with a laundry room.
We plan to demolish the barn and build the house there.
However, the double garage with the extra room is in the way.
Now we have two options:
1. Demolish the garage and build our house (which is not yet finalized) new, with floor plans like those in the catalog.
- I would prefer not to do this because the garage is probably worth around 20,000€ (about 20,000 USD).
2. Somehow integrate the garage into the construction of the single-family house.
- This is my preferred option.
Regarding option 2:
Is this even feasible with a prefabricated house? If yes, how could it affect the overall cost of the house?
Does anyone here have experience or can provide an assessment?
Furthermore, I am wondering whether it would make sense to have an architect who is not involved in the construction come to the site to check the conditions and possibilities in person.
I do not yet know which manufacturer we will build with but would still like to understand in advance the opportunities, challenges, etc. that the plot might present.
Best regards,
phobos
Bauexperte schrieb:
Hello,
And what will happen with the "house in poor condition"?
If the existing house is in poor condition, the question should be clarified regarding the garage. Have you already taken care of that?The old house will remain standing for now. But it will probably be demolished at some point.
The garages were built at the other end of the property. On top of them is just an attic with a pitched roof.
Bauexperte schrieb:
Not every single-family home provider can extend or renovate an existing building, nor do they usually want to; so it naturally follows that you won’t be able to hire a seemingly cheap provider for the job.That’s my fear 🙁
I will probably need to mention this issue first during the discussions. But I’m worried that this might reduce interest.
Bauexperte schrieb:
I’ve been wondering throughout this thread whether you have already visited the building authority to find out what your options are for redevelopment?🙂 Yes, I have been to the building authority. And the staff member said I should first submit a plan from an architect.
I assumed everything would be fine then!? Or not? 😕
Hello,
So you want to build cheaply at all costs 😕
You need an architect to discuss your project with. Then they will create some sketches or basic plans and take them to the building authority.
You will probably get a useful response. You might also need to submit a preliminary building inquiry (building permit / planning permission request).
Best regards
phobos schrieb:
That’s my concern 🙁.
I probably need to mention this fact at the beginning of the discussions. But I’m worried that it will then reduce the interest.
So you want to build cheaply at all costs 😕
phobos schrieb:
🙂 Yes, I have been to the building authority. They said I should first submit a design from an architect.
I assumed that everything was fine!? Or not? 😕
You need an architect to discuss your project with. Then they will create some sketches or basic plans and take them to the building authority.
You will probably get a useful response. You might also need to submit a preliminary building inquiry (building permit / planning permission request).
Best regards
E.Curb schrieb:
So you want to build as cheaply as possible at all costs 😕I have no idea where you get that from. It’s not evident from my posts. But no, I want to build economically.E.Curb schrieb:
You need an architect to discuss your project with. Then they will make some sketches or basic plans and take them to the building authority.
You will probably get a useful response. You might also have to submit a building inquiry beforehand.
RegardsDoes an architect do that even if they don’t get a follow-up contract?phobos schrieb:
Does an architect do that even if they don’t get a follow-up contract?Yes, I would assume so. Why wouldn’t they?
Tell me, what do you actually think about architects? Why such skepticism?
B
Bauexperte25 Jul 2012 09:24Hello,
Hmm... considering a nice new build nearby later on, it probably won’t be a very pleasant sight. Why don’t you have it torn down right away—along with the barn—in one go? Or are you unable to get a demolition permit / planning permission?
That doesn’t say anything about the condition of the building structure...
If you didn’t mention it, that would be worse than sneaky! Nobody likes to work extensively for free; of course, interest decreases if the builder cannot realize your construction project. How do you come up with the narrow-minded idea that you cannot meet a sales representative as an equal partner—which includes honest communication and transparency about the facts? Have you ever thought that if you actually approach things that way, you will get the same treatment in return?
You can believe that in church—that’s what it’s for.
This statement only means that the “colleague” can only make a decision once a rough draft of the new construction project is submitted. Even then, you can’t expect them to overlook all regulations just because you might have a pretty face and approve your construction. It’s not uncommon that you won’t receive a final answer until the response to a preliminary building inquiry.
Best regards
phobos schrieb:
The old house will remain standing for now. But it will probably be demolished eventually.
Hmm... considering a nice new build nearby later on, it probably won’t be a very pleasant sight. Why don’t you have it torn down right away—along with the barn—in one go? Or are you unable to get a demolition permit / planning permission?
phobos schrieb:
The garages were built at the other end of the property. On top of them is just an attic with a pitched roof.
That doesn’t say anything about the condition of the building structure...
phobos schrieb:
That’s my concern 🙁.
I’d probably have to mention this first in the discussions. But I’m worried that the interest might “drop.”
If you didn’t mention it, that would be worse than sneaky! Nobody likes to work extensively for free; of course, interest decreases if the builder cannot realize your construction project. How do you come up with the narrow-minded idea that you cannot meet a sales representative as an equal partner—which includes honest communication and transparency about the facts? Have you ever thought that if you actually approach things that way, you will get the same treatment in return?
phobos schrieb:
🙂Yes, I’ve been to the building authority. And the colleague said I should first submit a plan prepared by an architect. I had assumed that everything was okay!? Or not? 😕
You can believe that in church—that’s what it’s for.
This statement only means that the “colleague” can only make a decision once a rough draft of the new construction project is submitted. Even then, you can’t expect them to overlook all regulations just because you might have a pretty face and approve your construction. It’s not uncommon that you won’t receive a final answer until the response to a preliminary building inquiry.
Best regards
Thanks for your replies! 🙂
I’ve never dealt with architects before, so I have no idea how they work.
I wanted to demolish the barn myself. The house is a different matter since I’d need proper equipment, etc., which means higher costs (that I don’t know yet).
Also, the old house is right next to the road. I think it’s much more difficult to get a demolition permit for the house than for the barn.
That’s true. I have to tell him what’s going on anyway. You’re absolutely right. I hadn’t really thought that through.
Yes, but what am I supposed to do now? I can’t really make sense of what the building official said. What information can I get from architects or prefab home providers in advance without signing anything?
What should the next steps look like?
Regards
phobos
E.Curb schrieb:
By the way, what do you actually think about architects? Why such skepticism?
I’ve never dealt with architects before, so I have no idea how they work.
Bauexperte schrieb:
Hmm... considering a nice new building close by later, it probably wouldn’t look very cozy. Why don’t you just have it demolished along with the barn in one go? Or can’t you get a demolition permit?
I wanted to demolish the barn myself. The house is a different matter since I’d need proper equipment, etc., which means higher costs (that I don’t know yet).
Also, the old house is right next to the road. I think it’s much more difficult to get a demolition permit for the house than for the barn.
Bauexperte schrieb:
If you didn’t do that, it would be more than frustrating! Nobody likes working overtime for free; of course, the interest wanes if the prefab home provider can’t realize your project. How do you come to think that you can’t meet a seller at eye level—which should include a cooperative attitude and honest presentation of the facts? Have you ever considered that if you actually proceed that way, you’ll get the same behavior back in return?
That’s true. I have to tell him what’s going on anyway. You’re absolutely right. I hadn’t really thought that through.
Bauexperte schrieb:
This statement simply means that the "colleague" can only decide once he has a rough draft of the new building project. And even then, you can’t expect him to overlook all regulations just because you might have a charming face and approve your construction. It can also happen—not so rarely—that you only get a final answer with the notification of a building inquiry.
Yes, but what am I supposed to do now? I can’t really make sense of what the building official said. What information can I get from architects or prefab home providers in advance without signing anything?
What should the next steps look like?
Regards
phobos
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