ᐅ Are additional work items during house construction reasonable and fairly priced?
Created on: 3 Nov 2022 22:00
D
DominicHannove
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
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
B
Benutzer 10014 Nov 2022 08:07xMisterDx schrieb:
Why do I need a pollen filter if I don’t have allergies?Because it’s possible that allergies can develop later, for example during menopause or after an illness.
Offtopic schrieb:
Because it is possible that it only appears during menopause, etc., or after an illness.Or suddenly at 18 while sitting on the couch. 😀Allergies can actually come and go quite unpredictably.
DominicHannove schrieb:
Yes, the central ventilation system is supposed to cost €17,300. That’s simply too expensive for us... we’d rather just ventilate more often. Notes: 1. €17,300 for a central ventilation system actually sounds quite cheap. 2. I lived for 7 years in a KfW 70% house without ventilation, and it felt like an uncomfortable sauna in terms of humidity (and we really ventilated a lot). We always had moisture on the windows, and over time mold stains developed. I would never want to do that without proper ventilation. 3. When is construction starting? Can you really meet the 2023 Building Energy Act standard without a residential ventilation system with heat recovery? None of us were warned about the amendment just to be on the safe side...
I am fully in favor of controlled residential ventilation systems. We had a central ventilation system in our first house built in 2020 and will have one again.
It’s hard to compete with that, especially since many people work full-time, which makes the “proper ventilation” that everyone always talks about more difficult to manage.
The ventilation system is particularly great for wet rooms. But also in the bedroom. It’s simply pleasant when there is a continuous exchange of air. You don’t come back from the bathroom to the bedroom in the morning and encounter that overnight stale smell; the house always feels freshly ventilated. It truly enhances quality of life, and I would highly recommend it to everyone.
It’s hard to compete with that, especially since many people work full-time, which makes the “proper ventilation” that everyone always talks about more difficult to manage.
The ventilation system is particularly great for wet rooms. But also in the bedroom. It’s simply pleasant when there is a continuous exchange of air. You don’t come back from the bathroom to the bedroom in the morning and encounter that overnight stale smell; the house always feels freshly ventilated. It truly enhances quality of life, and I would highly recommend it to everyone.
M
motorradsilke6 Nov 2022 11:02In the bedroom, simply leaving the window slightly open at night can help prevent stuffiness.
I’m not against mechanical ventilation systems. If you like it and can afford it, you can certainly have one installed. But I find it unnecessary to present it as a must-have. Good air quality can also be achieved through regular ventilation. We currently have an ideal humidity level of 50 to 60%, without a mechanical ventilation system. Although I am no longer working full-time, I am often away.
I’m not against mechanical ventilation systems. If you like it and can afford it, you can certainly have one installed. But I find it unnecessary to present it as a must-have. Good air quality can also be achieved through regular ventilation. We currently have an ideal humidity level of 50 to 60%, without a mechanical ventilation system. Although I am no longer working full-time, I am often away.
bauenmk20206 Nov 2022 11:38Hello,
many of the points seem reasonably priced. They have already been pointed out, which is helpful.
Regarding mechanical ventilation with heat recovery = we don't have one, but sometimes I wish we did! In the wet rooms (bathrooms, utility room), we have exhaust fans with humidity sensors, and they are quite loud. I might consider replacing these with proper decentralized units with heat recovery.
Our windows have trickle vents.
Leaving the window open is not an option for us. To get rid of the "stale air," active manual ventilation is necessary. This is not rocket science, but it can be annoying—especially when it’s windy.
Therefore, I fully agree that a central mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery provides a "comfort gain"—even though I (unfortunately) don’t have one.
I looked up the AEROPAC units: well, the appearance is rather unappealing...
PS: We don’t have moisture problems in our house, which complies with the 2016 Energy Saving Ordinance.
many of the points seem reasonably priced. They have already been pointed out, which is helpful.
Regarding mechanical ventilation with heat recovery = we don't have one, but sometimes I wish we did! In the wet rooms (bathrooms, utility room), we have exhaust fans with humidity sensors, and they are quite loud. I might consider replacing these with proper decentralized units with heat recovery.
Our windows have trickle vents.
Leaving the window open is not an option for us. To get rid of the "stale air," active manual ventilation is necessary. This is not rocket science, but it can be annoying—especially when it’s windy.
Therefore, I fully agree that a central mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery provides a "comfort gain"—even though I (unfortunately) don’t have one.
I looked up the AEROPAC units: well, the appearance is rather unappealing...
PS: We don’t have moisture problems in our house, which complies with the 2016 Energy Saving Ordinance.
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