Very few architects will create a design free of charge.
We sketched out and discussed our ideas, which helped us identify who understood our wishes and also contributed good additional ideas.
Then we requested a quote for the initial estimated costs of the house, from which the architect’s fee was calculated and offered. Fees can vary widely.
In the end, we chose the one who felt right to us intuitively, and so far, we have not been disappointed. We are currently deep in the planning phase and will soon submit the building permit / planning permission application.
We sketched out and discussed our ideas, which helped us identify who understood our wishes and also contributed good additional ideas.
Then we requested a quote for the initial estimated costs of the house, from which the architect’s fee was calculated and offered. Fees can vary widely.
In the end, we chose the one who felt right to us intuitively, and so far, we have not been disappointed. We are currently deep in the planning phase and will soon submit the building permit / planning permission application.
B
Bauexperte28 Jul 2013 12:55Hello Tobias,
There are very few architects who develop the initial design free of charge; usually, the fee is calculated based on the construction costs of the house according to HOAI.
My suggestion: you should first be transparent and inform both about their mutual coexistence regarding your building project. Then ask what services they are willing to provide for free upfront so that you can make a decision. By proceeding this way, one will most likely step back from the decision. If both remain engaged, you will have the opportunity to decide based on their creativity — here, the design presented. From the cost perspective, there is no difference between the two since, as mentioned, HOAI primarily applies.
Best regards, Bauexperte
hg6806 schrieb:
We currently have two architects to choose from. Both are likeable.
How and when should you decide on one?
Should both first create a concept/design and offer a quote? Or is that asking too much?
There are very few architects who develop the initial design free of charge; usually, the fee is calculated based on the construction costs of the house according to HOAI.
My suggestion: you should first be transparent and inform both about their mutual coexistence regarding your building project. Then ask what services they are willing to provide for free upfront so that you can make a decision. By proceeding this way, one will most likely step back from the decision. If both remain engaged, you will have the opportunity to decide based on their creativity — here, the design presented. From the cost perspective, there is no difference between the two since, as mentioned, HOAI primarily applies.
Best regards, Bauexperte
Well, unfortunately, we had to realize that the costs vary significantly. One follows the HOAI (Official Scale of Fees for Services by Architects and Engineers) and clearly outlines which "percentages" are reduced if you provide certain services yourself, and so on. Another tempted us with a low flat rate (we later found out that he somehow recoups this through the construction costs or additional charges arise afterwards), and the third in the group mentioned around €40,000.
We have now chosen the most transparent and approachable one, based on HOAI, with fixed percentages in the contract for each service phase to be delivered. If additional trades are removed or added, these will be billed accordingly.
We have now chosen the most transparent and approachable one, based on HOAI, with fixed percentages in the contract for each service phase to be delivered. If additional trades are removed or added, these will be billed accordingly.
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