Hello everyone!
We are currently considering three companies as potential builders. One of them is Laux Fertigbau from Saarland. They have offered to design our house according to our wishes (we sent them a list in text form). They have their own draftsmen but also work with architects.
The agreement would be that we pay €1500 (about $1600) for this planning work if we decide NOT to choose the company in the end. However, we would receive the plans and drawings and could have the house built by another company if we wanted to. If we decide in favor of Laux, then this planning is part of the project and costs nothing extra.
Overall, I find this arrangement fair, and I think it’s interesting to see what a local architect comes up with if given free rein. Still, I have some reservations about paying this money upfront because I worry it might create a sort of "pre-selection" for the builder and that we might then feel influenced to go with them, just so we don’t waste the €1500.
The second company (currently ranked third in my mind) is called DHI, and the third one is a very local provider with no website or brochures but has been building houses in the region for over 20 years and relies almost entirely on word-of-mouth recommendations. I had a long phone conversation with them, and it was all very likeable. However, I don’t have a price estimate yet, and their aversion to anything digital (no smartphone, no website) puts me off a bit. On the other hand, their workload despite having no advertising clearly speaks in favor of the builder.
Best regards,
Kati
We are currently considering three companies as potential builders. One of them is Laux Fertigbau from Saarland. They have offered to design our house according to our wishes (we sent them a list in text form). They have their own draftsmen but also work with architects.
The agreement would be that we pay €1500 (about $1600) for this planning work if we decide NOT to choose the company in the end. However, we would receive the plans and drawings and could have the house built by another company if we wanted to. If we decide in favor of Laux, then this planning is part of the project and costs nothing extra.
Overall, I find this arrangement fair, and I think it’s interesting to see what a local architect comes up with if given free rein. Still, I have some reservations about paying this money upfront because I worry it might create a sort of "pre-selection" for the builder and that we might then feel influenced to go with them, just so we don’t waste the €1500.
The second company (currently ranked third in my mind) is called DHI, and the third one is a very local provider with no website or brochures but has been building houses in the region for over 20 years and relies almost entirely on word-of-mouth recommendations. I had a long phone conversation with them, and it was all very likeable. However, I don’t have a price estimate yet, and their aversion to anything digital (no smartphone, no website) puts me off a bit. On the other hand, their workload despite having no advertising clearly speaks in favor of the builder.
Best regards,
Kati
kati1337 schrieb:
The third option is a very regional builder who doesn’t have a website or brochures, but has been building houses in the area for over 20 years and basically relies only on word-of-mouth recommendations. I had long phone conversations with them, and it all felt very personable, but I don’t have any price estimates yet, and their aversion to anything digital (no smartphone, no website) puts me off a bit. On the other hand, their current workload despite the complete absence of any advertising speaks well of this contractor. A builder builds, and personally I don’t find any website “just as good” as one the neighbor’s kid put together when people still said “Hohmpäidsch” and where they would now be wishing a happy New Year 2015. To me, this sounds like someone whose work @Nordlys and I would be satisfied with, and therefore a well-deserved second place in your preference.
kati1337 schrieb:
One is Laux Fertigbau from Saarland. They have now offered to design our house freely according to our wishes (we sent a list in text form). [...] If we decide on Laux, this planning is part of the project and does not cost extra. If I remember correctly, they have experience with split-level designs, which would be beneficial for your project.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
C
Costruttrice5 Mar 2022 14:53Take a look at HausbauSaar; they include architectural planning in their service package, but you can also come with a completed architectural design. They build using solid construction, timber, and Hebel houses, and several major trades are integrated directly within the company. Their website is not as informative as their Facebook page.
However, I cannot share personal experience, as they were recommended to us.
However, I cannot share personal experience, as they were recommended to us.
I would talk to the small company without a website, sounds like a family business.
Get to know them, show your plans, share your time and budget expectations. Are the subcontractors local craftsmen (important for warranty and possible future modifications)?
The general contractor has a reputation and will still have it in 10 years.
The €1500 for planning would be worth it to me.
Get to know them, show your plans, share your time and budget expectations. Are the subcontractors local craftsmen (important for warranty and possible future modifications)?
The general contractor has a reputation and will still have it in 10 years.
The €1500 for planning would be worth it to me.
11ant schrieb:
Experience with split-level designs—what would be beneficial for your project.If you are dealing with such specialties, I would definitely choose a company that has built these multiple times before.Costruttrice schrieb:
Take a look at HausbauSaar, [...] However, I can’t share any personal experience; it was recommended to us. Unfortunately, the references are limited to very brief customer testimonials from Ms. Hinz and Mr. Kunz from [place name], with no photos of completed houses. Otherwise, I’ll check out the company.
Costruttrice schrieb:
The website is not as informative as their Facebook page. This probably just means that the target audience is mostly under 50 years old.
Nida35a schrieb:
I would talk to the small company without a website;
sounds like a family business. Let’s say, “owner-managed” (and suspected to rely on a handshake or a salesperson’s word of honor).
Nida35a schrieb:
The general contractor has a reputation and will still have it in 10 years. ... and they already had it back when the “internet” as we know it today didn’t exist :-)
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/