Hello everyone,
I am still at the very beginning of my house planning. The plot of land is already secured and owned by my family. The house is planned as a replacement build in a rural area. Construction is not expected to start for about 5 years, but I think it makes sense to start familiarizing myself with the process now, especially since I am very interested in it.
At the moment, I am considering which partner I want to work with for building the house. A developer or general contractor is not an option for me. Although I am not a trained tradesperson, I definitely want to contribute some of the work myself (drywall, tiling, flooring, painting, preliminary electrical work, drywall, etc.). For me, the financial aspect isn’t the only consideration; it would be very rewarding to have actively helped build the house myself.
I fully understand that self-building is not for beginners, so I plan to hire professionals for many trades. Since I have many friends in my network who run their own local craft businesses (carpenter, civil engineer, electrician), some of the trades are basically already assigned. I can also assist as a helper in some of these areas.
I will personally handle all coordination with the authorities, as I work in the public sector myself and am familiar with the procedures. A friend of mine will also be drawing the plans.
However, I am unsure whether, and to what extent, I should hire an architect. Ultimately, I would only want to engage one (please let me know if I am overlooking something) for construction supervision and to coordinate the remaining trades (shell construction, heating, plumbing, etc.). Based on your experience, are architects generally willing to take on only these tasks? Or would it perhaps make more sense to hire a building surveyor instead?
I welcome any criticism or advice and would appreciate any feedback. If anything about my approach seems off to you, please let me know.
Good luck
Max
I am still at the very beginning of my house planning. The plot of land is already secured and owned by my family. The house is planned as a replacement build in a rural area. Construction is not expected to start for about 5 years, but I think it makes sense to start familiarizing myself with the process now, especially since I am very interested in it.
At the moment, I am considering which partner I want to work with for building the house. A developer or general contractor is not an option for me. Although I am not a trained tradesperson, I definitely want to contribute some of the work myself (drywall, tiling, flooring, painting, preliminary electrical work, drywall, etc.). For me, the financial aspect isn’t the only consideration; it would be very rewarding to have actively helped build the house myself.
I fully understand that self-building is not for beginners, so I plan to hire professionals for many trades. Since I have many friends in my network who run their own local craft businesses (carpenter, civil engineer, electrician), some of the trades are basically already assigned. I can also assist as a helper in some of these areas.
I will personally handle all coordination with the authorities, as I work in the public sector myself and am familiar with the procedures. A friend of mine will also be drawing the plans.
However, I am unsure whether, and to what extent, I should hire an architect. Ultimately, I would only want to engage one (please let me know if I am overlooking something) for construction supervision and to coordinate the remaining trades (shell construction, heating, plumbing, etc.). Based on your experience, are architects generally willing to take on only these tasks? Or would it perhaps make more sense to hire a building surveyor instead?
I welcome any criticism or advice and would appreciate any feedback. If anything about my approach seems off to you, please let me know.
Good luck
Max
BauMaxl schrieb:
For me, building a house is not just about the financial aspect; it would be very fulfilling to have helped with the construction myself. Okay, if you have a lot of free time during the day, it’s doable.
BauMaxl schrieb:
That’s why I want to involve professional contractors for many trades. That should be standard practice.
BauMaxl schrieb:
I can also work as a helper in some areas. Again, this requires a significant amount of free time during the day...
BauMaxl schrieb:
I will personally handle coordination with the authorities since I work in the public sector and am familiar with the subject. A friend of mine will also draw the plans.
However, I am unsure whether to hire an architect, and if so, to what extent. So you might not be a professional after all? Personal handling… what coordination exactly? Plus uncertainty… don’t overestimate your knowledge!
BauMaxl schrieb:
Ultimately, I would only need an architect (please let me know if I’m missing something) to supervise construction and coordinate the remaining trades (shell construction, heating, plumbing, etc.). Ah... tying the hands of the expert and then asking for help...
My advice: stick to what you know best.
You are not the one with the expertise.
BauMaxl schrieb:
The house is planned as a replacement new build in a rural area. Construction is scheduled for about 5 years from now, Then in five years, you should be a farmer / livestock breeder, forester / hunter, or something similar.
BauMaxl schrieb:
Although I am not a trained craftsman, I do want to contribute a certain amount of work myself. That is also possible with general contractors.
BauMaxl schrieb:
A friend of mine will also draw up the plans. If he is authorized and capable of doing so.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
ypg schrieb:
Ok, if you have a lot of free daytime, it's doable
It should be standard.
Oh, here again the duration of free daytime is relevant...
Probably not a professional after all??? Taking personal responsibility ... what coordination? ... plus uncertainty... don’t overestimate yourself with your lack of knowledge!
Aha... putting clamps on the expert and then asking for help...
I’d say: cobbler, stick to your last 😉
You’re not the one with the expertise.First of all, thank you very much for the feedback.
Yes, I can take the mentioned free daytime. Thanks to my employer, I can either reduce my working hours or take some unpaid leave. This time is worth it to me.
The coordination I referred to relates to contact with the building authority/planning office. I have professional experience in construction law, and the responsible official works at my authority. Therefore, I believe I can handle the legal/construction regulatory part myself.
You’re right, I am absolutely not an expert in house building. However, I would prefer to take on the tasks that I can realistically manage myself. In the areas where I definitely need help (especially construction management and site supervision), it is clear to me that I need a specialist and will engage one. Hence my uncertainty about the scope of the architect’s services.
11ant schrieb:
Then in five years you should be a farmer / livestock breeder, forester / hunter, or something similar.
That is also possible with general contractors.
If they are allowed and capable.Thank you very much as well.
Unfortunately, the property is no longer considered privileged. However, since the existing building is a residential house, a replacement building is possible even for non-privileged projects due to protection of existing structures (partial privileging). The conditions for this are also met in my case.
Therefore, I have a somewhat negative view of hiring a general contractor, as I would like to commission individual tradespeople whose quality I know and from whom I will receive a more favorable quote, as I explained earlier. If I hire a general contractor, I can forget about that.
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