Hello,
we want to build a KfW 40 plus house with a prefab home provider that has not yet been decided. Some elements, such as the photovoltaic system including storage, the prefabricated basement, the garage, the staircase, and possibly a few other items will be outsourced because it simply makes more sense.
Now to the actual process (after purchasing the plot).
1. Should we look for an architect/energy consultant ourselves, or does the architect from the prefab home company take over this role even if the basement, photovoltaic system, etc. are ordered externally?
2. Should we find an expert to simply support us during the construction? For this, should we rather choose someone from a home builders’ association or someone like a "prefab home expert"?
3. Obtain quotes from the prefab home companies, the basement builders, the photovoltaic installer, etc. For this purpose, I have already created a checklist to ensure that not too many additional costs appear during selection but that everything is included in the initial offer (otherwise it would be hard to compare). Of course, we will carry out a preliminary selection to be absolutely sure. What is a sensible order here? For example: prefab home provider first, then basement builder, then photovoltaic company, then exterior work, then staircase builder?
4. Decision on the prefab home company and revision or extension of the contracts such as the scope of work through additional clauses and everything that is not fairly balanced.
5. Then price negotiation. Should professional help be sought here as well and, if so, who? Would that person also be involved during the process?
6. Signature and starting signal for construction. The architect should have the floor plans, etc. ready before that for the building permit / planning permission application.
It would be great to get lots of input here so we are better prepared! Many thanks in advance!
we want to build a KfW 40 plus house with a prefab home provider that has not yet been decided. Some elements, such as the photovoltaic system including storage, the prefabricated basement, the garage, the staircase, and possibly a few other items will be outsourced because it simply makes more sense.
Now to the actual process (after purchasing the plot).
1. Should we look for an architect/energy consultant ourselves, or does the architect from the prefab home company take over this role even if the basement, photovoltaic system, etc. are ordered externally?
2. Should we find an expert to simply support us during the construction? For this, should we rather choose someone from a home builders’ association or someone like a "prefab home expert"?
3. Obtain quotes from the prefab home companies, the basement builders, the photovoltaic installer, etc. For this purpose, I have already created a checklist to ensure that not too many additional costs appear during selection but that everything is included in the initial offer (otherwise it would be hard to compare). Of course, we will carry out a preliminary selection to be absolutely sure. What is a sensible order here? For example: prefab home provider first, then basement builder, then photovoltaic company, then exterior work, then staircase builder?
4. Decision on the prefab home company and revision or extension of the contracts such as the scope of work through additional clauses and everything that is not fairly balanced.
5. Then price negotiation. Should professional help be sought here as well and, if so, who? Would that person also be involved during the process?
6. Signature and starting signal for construction. The architect should have the floor plans, etc. ready before that for the building permit / planning permission application.
It would be great to get lots of input here so we are better prepared! Many thanks in advance!
Find an architect to design the project as a timber frame construction. I’m fairly certain this will result in fewer restrictions and dependencies compared to a prefab home provider. If you still want to try that route, we have had good experiences with Gussek Haus. You would only need to clarify how the KfW40+ standard works if the photovoltaic system is not supplied by them. Building the basement yourself is no problem, and the same goes for the garage. Regarding price negotiations, I’d be interested to hear your feedback afterward; construction companies are currently not short of work and probably won’t offer significant discounts.
To me, that sounds like a valid approach.
To me, that sounds like a valid approach.
Eigenheim_2011 schrieb:
What I mean is that a basement contracted through a prefab house supplier and outsourced accordingly costs 10-20% more than a basement I would order directly from the basement builder. That would be the case if you choose a supplier who starts work from the finished floor slab level, but I wouldn’t take one like that anyway. The 10-20% you save there you would have to spend again on a designer.
But that’s not really what I was talking about. I meant more that you want to change contracts and add some extra clauses and renegotiate everything, etc.
E
Eigenheim_20112 Jun 2020 13:29That’s actually something I also want to understand. The planning is done for the entire house, including the basement. This means the planning costs for the basement are not charged separately. If I’m mistaken, could you please clarify exactly what you mean by that? I simply haven’t studied this topic in detail yet.
Oh, well, what I mean is that if, for example, the construction specifications state that the scaffolding must be provided by the builder, I would have that changed. There are points that are very unusual but unknown to many homeowners, and these lead to additional costs. Only those points that are clearly incorrect are challenged because the responsibility and risk distribution often varies between construction companies and is not always fair.
Oh, well, what I mean is that if, for example, the construction specifications state that the scaffolding must be provided by the builder, I would have that changed. There are points that are very unusual but unknown to many homeowners, and these lead to additional costs. Only those points that are clearly incorrect are challenged because the responsibility and risk distribution often varies between construction companies and is not always fair.
H
hampshire2 Jun 2020 13:51Eigenheim_2011 schrieb:
1. Should I look for an architect/energy consultant, or does the architect from the prefabricated house company handle this even if the basement, photovoltaic system, etc. are ordered externally?If you buy from a prefabricated house provider, they will usually take care of these services as well.Eigenheim_2011 schrieb:
2. Should I look for an expert to simply support us during construction? Maybe someone from the Homeowners’ Protection Association or a "prefab house expert"?These "prefab house experts" seem questionable to me—I don’t see a significant difference between these and a regular "construction expert," nor any special additional qualification specifically for prefab houses. We didn’t have one, but stayed very involved with clear construction meetings.Eigenheim_2011 schrieb:
So first the prefab house provider, then the basement builder, then the photovoltaic company, then the interior finishers, then the stair builder?You need the plans to get an offer for the basement and stairs, which the architect from the prefab house provider will create. That then also determines the order of work.Eigenheim_2011 schrieb:
Decision about the prefab house company and revision or extension of contracts, such as adding clauses to the scope of work, and everything that isn’t fairly balanced.There is little reason for prefab house providers to agree to contract changes. Don’t expect any major negotiable modifications regarding the manufacturing process.Eigenheim_2011 schrieb:
Then the price negotiation. Should professional help be sought here, and if so, who?If you don’t want to appear insecure or inexperienced from the start, handle this yourself.Eigenheim_2011 schrieb:
Signing and the green light to start construction. The architect should already have the finished floor plans ready for the building permit / planning permission.You won’t get that much upfront work from a prefab house provider.Alternative: Hire a local architect and a regional carpenter who also offers turnkey solutions. They have a good reputation locally to uphold and are therefore more motivated to ensure the project’s success. If you want to have much influence, this is possible here.
So the order is: Think about how you want to live instead of what. Find an architect who is genuinely enthusiastic about your project, and then get started.
T
T_im_Norden2 Jun 2020 13:59We are currently in a seller's market.
The company will tell you that no changes are possible.
Apart from that, you are setting yourself up for trouble with coordinating between the basement builder and the house builder.
If something goes wrong, it is always the other party's fault.
The company will tell you that no changes are possible.
Apart from that, you are setting yourself up for trouble with coordinating between the basement builder and the house builder.
If something goes wrong, it is always the other party's fault.
Eigenheim_2011 schrieb:
That’s actually something I want to know as well. The planning is done for the entire house, including the basement. So, the planning costs for the basement are not charged separately. If I’m mistaken, could you please clarify exactly what you mean by that? If you have an external planner, you don’t need a prefab house provider. If you let the prefab house provider plan everything, you don’t need to contract out your basement separately.
You seem to be somewhat misinformed and focused on something you first need to reconsider.
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