ᐅ Are additional work items during house construction reasonable and fairly priced?

Good evening,

We have received an offer from a general contractor and are wondering whether the following additional items are reasonably priced and make sense:

1. Compensation for fittings and sanitary fixtures when purchased by the homeowner (warranty only covers up to the rough installation stage; concealed installations remain our responsibility):
Compensation for ground floor WC: Hand basin including faucet, WC including flush control (flush tank remains our responsibility)
Compensation for attic bathroom: 1 washbasin including faucet, WC including flush control (flush tank remains the responsibility of Bösteinhaus), shower faucet and shower set including rail (connections remain our responsibility)
Compensation: €2,420.00
The sanitary fixtures included would be: Brand Vigour series “Derby” or “Derby Style”, alternatively brand Geberit series “Renova Plan” or brand Villeroy & Boch series “O.Novo”; faucets: brand Vigour series “Derby”, alternatively brand Hansgrohe “Talis S” or brand Hansa series “Hansapinto”

2. Removal of the fixed central mullions on double casement windows, replaced by installation of special flush profiles
Additional cost: 3 windows x €160.00 = €480.00

3. Installation of a secondary entrance door as a wooden door to the utility room, offset against the omitted window, including security fittings and insulation matching the front door, solid door leaf, including locking system matching the front door
Additional cost: €2,020.00

4. Installation of a skylight in the attic hallway, approx. 78 x 118 cm (31 x 46 inches), compliant with the energy saving regulations, brand Velux type GGU MK 06 Thermo (pivot window)
Additional cost: €1,360.00

5. Supply and installation of rough tongue-and-groove boarding, 24 mm (1 inch) thick, made of Nordic spruce or fir, dried, staggered installation with screws onto ceiling joists or collar beams
Additional cost: €1,840.00

6. Concrete staircase, white plastered, with beech steps and risers made of washable white Forex panels, with railing according to building specifications and steel handrail or alternatively masonry railing with internal handrail, with storage room and door under the stairs including light outlet and socket
Additional cost compared to standard staircase: €4,800.00
This “standard” staircase would be: A nicely shaped open staircase with solid wood steps in laminated beech, with continuous railing made of modern round tubing

7. Installation of an additional shower in the guest WC as a flush-floor, tiled design approx. 90 x 150 cm (35 x 59 inches) with installation of one floor drain and required large-area sealing, wall enclosure up to 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) height according to drawing, shower area tiled to 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) height; shower faucet and shower set including rail to be provided by homeowner
Note: a shower partition must be installed by the builder on-site
Additional cost: €1,990.00

8. Creation of a tiled niche in the shower in the ground floor WC, approx. 30 x 60 cm (12 x 24 inches)
Additional cost: €340.00

9. Creation of a masonry and tiled shelf behind the washbasin in the ground floor WC, height 1.20 m (4 ft), approx. 0.8 linear meters
Additional cost: €200.00

10. Installation of an additional cold water connection in the ground floor WC next to the toilet (for future installation of a bidet spray by the builder)
Additional cost: €290.00

11. Creation of a tiled shelf next to the bathtub according to drawing, height approx. 50–60 cm (20–24 inches)
Additional cost: €190.00

12. Installation of a laundry chute from the upper bathroom to the utility room (ground floor), 300 mm (12 inches) spiral seam pipe with laundry bag and secured flap for inserting laundry
Additional cost: €1,160.00 (alternative: laundry chute as homeowner’s own work, we provide only ceiling opening 350 x 350 mm (14 x 14 inches), additional cost: €180.00)

13. Installation of all switch boxes in deep form for retrofitting wireless smart home systems by own work
Additional cost: €560.00

14. Installation of AEROPAC SN (Siegenia AUBI) demand-controlled ventilators. Draft-free and whisper-quiet operation, individual air regulation, dust filter function, including core drilling and socket
Additional cost: number of bedrooms 4 x €1,100.00 each = €4,400.00


What do you think?
Are there items that are overpriced?
What would you include and what not? (I know some are very individual. For these, I’m more interested if the additional cost is reasonable.)
Are there individual items I should better leave out initially and commission later with the respective specialist?

We would appreciate any advice.

Best regards

Sounds like average prices. The decision depends on preference, mood, and budget.

Just one comment on number 14. Are you planning a house WITHOUT a ventilation system? I wouldn’t consider option 14 (except in the case of renovation), but rather a central ventilation system.

When I compare this with the pricing of my general contractor, it sounds reasonable, yes.
For example, the drywall contractor told me that if I had ordered the recessed shelves in the shower and bathtub directly from him, verbally on site, it would have cost me 50 EUR. Through the site manager or general contractor, it will probably cost 150-200 EUR; I haven’t received the change order yet.

The only thing I find cheeky is the 560 EUR for installing deep electrical boxes. I assume this means 68mm (2.7 inches) deep boxes?
My electrician installed those everywhere anyway, at no extra cost. It’s standard practice nowadays because no one uses additional junction boxes anymore.

How many square meters (square feet) of rough-sawn boards can you get for that money?

SaniererNRW123 schrieb:

These prices seem quite average. The decision depends on personal preference and budget.

Just a note regarding point 14.
Are you planning a house WITHOUT a ventilation system? I wouldn’t consider anything beyond point 14 (unless it’s a renovation), but rather a central system.

Yes, a central ventilation system is estimated to cost €17,300 (about $18,400). That is simply too expensive for us… we’d rather ventilate more often manually.

DominicHannove schrieb:

Yes, the central ventilation system is supposed to cost €17,300. That is simply too expensive for us... we’d rather ventilate more often manually.

And you really think heating more over 40 years is ultimately cheaper than a central ventilation system with heat recovery?

xMisterDx schrieb:

If I compare that with the pricing of my general contractor, it sounds plausible, yes.
For example, the drywall installer told me... if I had ordered the shelf niche in the shower and by the bathtub directly from him, verbally on site, it would have cost me 50 EUR. Through the site manager or general contractor, it will probably cost 150–200 EUR; I haven’t received the change order yet.

The only thing I find cheeky is the 560 EUR for installing deep boxes. I assume they mean 68mm (2.7 inches) deep boxes?
My electrician installed those everywhere anyway, with no extra charge. It’s standard nowadays since nobody uses separate junction boxes anymore.

How many square meters of rough-sawn boards do you get for that money?

The drywall installer thing is a good point, can anyone else confirm that price?
For us, a recessed mirror cabinet might also be an option instead of the shelf. Does that cost about the same?

Yes… I assume they mean the 68mm (2.7 inches) deep boxes. I might have to remove them again.

It should be about 64 m² (688 sq ft) of rough-sawn boards.