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
Ok, thanks for your assessment. I can understand that. My architect usually also opts for individual contracts. I want to keep it as cost-effective as possible, so I’m considering whether a general contractor might be cheaper, especially if they bring in an architect and a structural engineer, for example.
fyaylmf schrieb:
You’re right, they submitted for masonry construction 😎. So in that case, it does make more sense to have a structural engineer involved again. In my opinion, this could still be changed after the building permit via a modification. Looking back, I realize I probably indicated a preference for solid construction to the architect. The question then is whether to go with separate contracts or a general contractor. I’ll also reconsider whether it would be better for the demolition engineering to be handled by the demolition company.
Thanks to those who responded politely!
The rest of the crowd can go... 😉 Didn’t you review the building application before submitting it? I personally went through mine at least five times before handing it in and found one or two mistakes in the process. Architects make mistakes too; they’re only human.
At the end of the day, it’s your money and your house, so I think it’s very important to be fully informed. For future projects, I would definitely recommend reviewing everything thoroughly, especially if you plan to manage the build with separate contracts.
Of course, you have a point. I also found some mistakes, but I had already lost track of them by the time I wrote the post. I have a lot going on otherwise. As I said, I believe that although the construction method is approved, a change in the construction method does not invalidate the entire building permit / planning permission. And it was important to me to at least submit the application. Here, the process takes quite a long time, and I want to have something tangible to take to the bank now.
fyaylmf schrieb:
Of course, you’re right. I also found mistakes, but I didn’t have that in mind anymore when I wrote the post. I’ve been quite busy otherwise. As I said, I believe that although the building method is approved, a change in the construction method does not completely invalidate the entire building permit. It was important for me to at least submit the application. The process takes quite a long time here, and I want to have something in hand now so I can go to the bank. In our case, even moving a window requires reapproval. I don’t think you can just switch from brick to a prefabricated house. The structural engineering must also be approved by the architect. That naturally changes completely in such a case.
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