Hello everyone,
I am currently considering the next steps for our new construction project. I want to avoid having services duplicated or committing too early—for example, by commissioning the structural engineering—while the exact construction method is still unclear (prefabricated house, turnkey solid construction, individual contracting with an architect, etc.).
The current status is that I have just submitted the building permit / planning permission application with an architect, who has been hired in phases according to HOAI. The architect has now sent me their first invoice (10,000€), and I have received an offer for the structural engineering (also possible to commission in phases). Should I commission this now, or should I first obtain quotes from construction companies to understand which construction method will be used and what services might already be included? However, the structural engineering also includes the structural supervision of the demolition.
So, would it be appropriate to commission the structural engineering at this stage already?
Should the architect also begin with the execution planning?
By the way, the project is a single-family house (terraced house with 180m² (1,940 sq ft) of living space).
Best regards,
Martin
I am currently considering the next steps for our new construction project. I want to avoid having services duplicated or committing too early—for example, by commissioning the structural engineering—while the exact construction method is still unclear (prefabricated house, turnkey solid construction, individual contracting with an architect, etc.).
The current status is that I have just submitted the building permit / planning permission application with an architect, who has been hired in phases according to HOAI. The architect has now sent me their first invoice (10,000€), and I have received an offer for the structural engineering (also possible to commission in phases). Should I commission this now, or should I first obtain quotes from construction companies to understand which construction method will be used and what services might already be included? However, the structural engineering also includes the structural supervision of the demolition.
So, would it be appropriate to commission the structural engineering at this stage already?
Should the architect also begin with the execution planning?
By the way, the project is a single-family house (terraced house with 180m² (1,940 sq ft) of living space).
Best regards,
Martin
I think the construction method (solid construction or timber) will already be decided during the building permit / planning permission process.
What is probably still open is the question: build with a general contractor, or use individual contracts with an architect.
The best approach is to contact companies with the existing sketches and request quotes. The more the design deviates from standard houses, the more likely or advisable it is to opt for individual contracting.
What is probably still open is the question: build with a general contractor, or use individual contracts with an architect.
The best approach is to contact companies with the existing sketches and request quotes. The more the design deviates from standard houses, the more likely or advisable it is to opt for individual contracting.
fyaylmf schrieb:Maybe it’s important to clarify here that first, only the demolition is carried out and the structural engineer is involved solely for that part. Here, I see the structural engineer of the demolition company as the primary contact, rather than hiring your own structural engineer. After all, you want the demolition company to be liable for any damages, not you or your architect.
However, the structural engineering plan also includes the static supervision of the demolition.
fyaylmf schrieb:
So it is exactly 182 square meters (m²). And of course, I meant building permit / planning permission… You didn’t get it at all. 🙄
but it’ll be fine…
W
WilderSueden3 Aug 2022 21:42Tassimat schrieb:
I believe the construction type (solid construction or timber) is usually decided during the building permit / planning permission application. In my case, I think there was a box checked for the construction method, but it might depend on the region.
However, the original poster lists prefabricated houses and solid turnkey construction separately, which are two different things. Or maybe the architect marked solid construction, and they aren’t aware of it.
You’re right, the submitted plans are for masonry construction 😎. In that case, it makes more sense to have the structural engineering done accordingly. In my opinion, this could still be changed after the building permit through a modification request. Looking back, I realize I probably expressed a preference for solid construction to the architect. The question now is more whether to go with individual contracts or a general contractor. I’ll also consider whether the structural calculations for the demolition should be handled better by the demolition company.
Thanks to those who responded reasonably!
The rest of the crowd can ... 😉
Thanks to those who responded reasonably!
The rest of the crowd can ... 😉
fyaylmf schrieb:
In that case, structural engineering makes more sense at that point as well.ypg schrieb:
Hiring a structural engineer doesn’t make sense … Also, if you use a general contractor, they usually have their own structural engineer included or often factored into the price. This also applies to architects, but well… you can often forget about them.Without further ado, I’ll combine the quotes.
If you are extending a terraced house, appointing individual contractors is probably better than hiring a general contractor, unless you find one who already has specific experience with this type of work. With individual contracts, you can specifically select companies that have the required expertise. With a general contractor, you don't know whether they subcontract the work again and whether those subcontractors are knowledgeable or not, and so on.
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