ᐅ Looking for a construction company in the Greater Stuttgart area!

GeradeSchräg schrieb:

Well, I can understand the companies; what you’re doing are basically "last price" calls, nothing more. I guess suppliers get plenty of such requests, so I can understand that they prioritize those who show commitment, invest time, and genuinely mean business. After all, you’re turning down at least 19 companies.

My inquiries are not "last price" calls; I want a clear and concise house concept—meaning where the main focuses lie, for example, integrated heating/ventilation systems, basements or other trades from the same company, interesting multi-layer walls, passive house standards, special exterior insulation finishing systems, house architecture, and so on. Unfortunately, this information is often not clear from the catalogs. I’m also interested in a list of typical elements included in a turnkey house (architect, specialized planners, probably insurance, construction management) and those not included (e.g., earthworks, expert reports, etc.). The scopes of work are often confusing and unfortunately not sorted according to DIN standard 276 cost groups. I really feel sorry for the remaining 19 builders—they earn so little these difficult times...

GeradeSchräg schrieb:

First, you want prices for standard floor plans, then concrete quotes for a custom house?

You misunderstood me. I meant that companies usually have enough floor plan models/drawings ready in their files, which they can prepare and hand over to a customer within 15 minutes. In most cases, changing the floor plans—like moving a few walls—does not incur extra costs. Most are flexible here.

GeradeSchräg schrieb:

What good is a 20-minute price if it’s poorly prepared and incomplete? There are so many factors influencing the house price that you don’t notice at first glance. Some things are standard with one company but not with another. One hour isn’t enough.

I’m not after an exact price, which can change significantly later due to various extra requests anyway. I’m interested in the scope of construction work and priced options, and regarding floor plans, whether the companies are flexible and roughly able to accommodate my preferred layouts. I fully agree with you—a price comparison between providers is almost impossible. Simply because when the scope only states “insulation X cm (Y inches)” or “central ventilation,” you never really know what you will get. And in the contract/scope of work, stars appear everywhere, with footnotes like “or comparable” or “according to structural engineering,” and so on. The consumer advice books include frightening examples of what builders can and will do according to the contract (see attachment, from: Buying and Building a Prefab or Solid House, p. 215). I recommend everyone reads this beforehand.

It’s simply not a buyer’s market at the moment.

Why should construction companies bother providing exactly what you want? Initially, it just costs them time and money.
In the current environment, I don’t see any advantage for a construction company to do this.
Some companies are booked up for two years. So why would they invest additional money to possibly improve their chances with customers who want to quickly and systematically compare around 20 companies?
Especially when it comes to a product (a house) that is inherently difficult to compare.

This also explains the strategy of scheduling as many personal appointments as possible. I would almost bet that the salespeople’s closing rate is much higher this way. And from the house builder’s perspective, it’s probably the target group they want to reach.

I question whether you actually gain anything from such a comparison. What use is a standard floor plan that you don’t like and that might not even fit a potential house on your plot?
Perhaps some companies might be excluded, even though they could have offered the most suitable overall package for you, but their policy is to provide offers, floor plans, etc. only after personal consultations.

While I can understand the wish, I’m not sure this approach necessarily leads to the most suitable provider.

face26 schrieb:

And that is with a product (house) that is hardly comparable by nature.

I believe house offers can definitely be compared if you include precise construction-related specifications that are applicable to the plot and the new build. For example, I sent almost all providers the same documents with requirements such as roof style, ridge height, roof pitch from...to..., usable building area, KfW standard, number of floors/knee wall height..., typical floor plans from the basement to the upper floor that make sense for the house’s location, e.g. living spaces oriented south/west, space-saving staircase, etc.
There are also standard features that nearly every house has, e.g. on the upper floor: children’s room, bedroom, dressing room, bathroom. There isn’t much variation there, unless you have 100–150m² (1,076–1,615 sq ft) available upstairs 🙂

face26 schrieb:

Perhaps some companies were excluded that could have offered me the most suitable overall package, but their philosophy is to only provide offers, floor plans, etc., after personal meetings.
I can understand that preference, but I’m not sure if this approach necessarily leads to the best provider.

I agree with you, but what would be a better approach? Nineteen disappointed companies where you hold two personal meetings each and make consultants travel many kilometers?

HoisleBauer22 schrieb:

I think house offers can definitely be compared...

Only if an architect provides a tender with a detailed scope of work, maybe. Just look at the descriptions of construction services from different providers. You have solid construction and prefabricated houses (by that I mean timber frame construction) compared. It’s hard to know where to even start with all the differences.

I think you have a different understanding of comparability or haven’t been reading here long enough.

HoisleBauer22 schrieb:

I agree with you, but then what would be a more sensible approach? 19 disappointed companies, each with two personal meetings, and advisors having to travel many kilometers?

No, based on what you consider limited information and some informal inquiries and recommendations (for example, in new development areas), you pick a few favorites to focus on and then take personal meetings with them.

If things go in the wrong direction, you can always talk to others later.

HoisleBauer22 schrieb:

For example, I sent almost all providers the same documents with specifications such as roof design, ridge height, roof pitch from...to..., usable building area, KfW standard, number of floors/knee wall height, sample floor plans from the basement to the upper floor that make sense for the location of the house, e.g., living areas oriented south/west, space-saving staircase, etc.

And with that, you have
1. shown the providers that you still need sales support, and
2. triggered them to determine whether you are a serious buyer or just asking for the lowest price before deciding on the next steps.

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One more remark from me.
You criticize that the glossy brochures are not meaningful, yet when a provider invites you, the distance is too far for you to travel.

I found this "pre-selection" at SchwörerHaus very informative. There, options were selected right away and included in the offer, so that no major additional costs surprised us during the final selection process.