ᐅ Looking for a reputable company to build a turnkey, solid construction home in the Stuttgart area

Hello everyone,
we are looking for a house construction company to build a turnkey solid single-family home for us in the Stuttgart area. The design phase (service phases 1-4) can either be carried out by our own architect or by the construction company in-house. So far, in the region, we have only come across Fermo Massivhaus, which also handles everything up to the finished house through their own architects. We have had initial talks with them and really like their concept. Price-wise, they are probably in the top tier.

Does anyone know of other providers or have experience with companies offering a similarly comprehensive range of services? We have fairly concrete ideas about the floor plan and room program (200 sqm (2,150 sq ft) living area plus likely 50 sqm (540 sq ft) of finished space in the basement).

Thanks in advance.

Lubumax schrieb:

we are looking for a construction company to build a turnkey, solid single-family house for us in the Stuttgart area.

Regarding this FAQ, just use, for example, this resource: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/baufirma-im-grossraum-stuttgart-gesucht.28802/ – among others, this company is also mentioned,

Lubumax schrieb:

So far, in the region we have only come across Fermo Massivhaus, who also handle everything up to the finished house with their own architects. We have already had an initial discussion there and really like the concept. Price-wise, probably top tier.

and your assumption is confirmed.

Lubumax schrieb:

Planning (phases 1–4 of service) can either be done by your own architect or in-house by the construction company. [...] We have fairly concrete ideas about the floor plan and room program (200 m² (2,150 sq ft) of living space plus finished rooms in the basement, probably 50 m² (540 sq ft)).

As a warning about the scope of services "phases 1 to 4," I have discussed this in detail, among other places, in my house building schedule and here: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/architekt-moechte-nur-leistungsphasen-1-4-planen.45505/post-629073. In short: 1. take your architect’s preliminary designs into a pre-selection process with potential contractors; 2. based on those results, either proceed after phase 3 with a general contractor (who then takes over from phase 4 onward) or have your architect continue working at least through phase 5; 3. be cautious of architects who only offer phases 1 to 4; 4. especially under Stuttgart conditions, it is essential not to skimp on your own architect; 5. general contractor’s project managers make poor substitutes for architects. Keep in mind that the topography in this building area requires and justifies expert knowledge (or have you found the only flat plot in this region?).

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

Thank you very much, incredibly helpful!
We are currently reviewing the providers. In my opinion, Fermo, U-Haus, Hauser, and Köhler could be options.
I understand your point about the architect. I have also read your house-building plan.

We want to build a solid construction, so here are some questions:
1) Where can you find a good architect (Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart and surrounding areas)? We have already asked friends and acquaintances for 3-4 weeks but received no recommendations (some were dissatisfied).
2) Using the specific example of a solid house with a construction company according to your plan: In the first step, you would commission service phases 1-2, and then it goes (i) to the preliminary building inquiry (building permit / planning permission inquiry) and (ii) to different general contractors (GCs), correct? Is (ii) before or after the feedback on the preliminary building inquiry?
3) Dough resting phase.
4) And moving forward: I have not yet understood based on which criteria I decide when the general contractor takes over, or if I do Module B with the architect and/or the GC (according to the blog, Module B corresponds to service phases 3-5, but elsewhere I thought I read you would give service phase 3 as a separate contract to the architect, although the initiator of the idea should also carry out service phase 5 – help, I’m confused).

And 5)
If the house building company demonstrably has experienced architects (with a degree, etc.) in-house, from your experience, what would argue against doing it all “under one roof”?

Thanks again!

Lubumax schrieb:

We are currently reviewing the providers. In my opinion, Fermo, U-Haus, Hauser, and Köhler are viable options.

Those names sound familiar to me—I think @erazorlll provided the most comprehensive overview of companies.

Lubumax schrieb:

I also read your house-building plan. We want to build with solid construction,

Wherever you originally read it, there is also guidance on how to ask informal personal questions. Overall, you probably read my comments a bit too quickly; otherwise, you would have noticed that the decision about the construction method (regardless of any preference) should not be made before the “proofing” phase . I am not trying to convince you for or against any building method but only cautioning you against deciding too early. Trust your house design to guide you in this regard.

Lubumax schrieb:

1) Where can you find a good architect (Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart and surroundings)? We have already asked friends and acquaintances for 3-4 weeks but haven’t received any recommendations (some were dissatisfied) :/

You don’t have to find the architect yourself—I do this professionally nationwide, including contacts in BB/LEO. If your friends and acquaintances explain their dissatisfaction in more detail, that could provide valuable insights.

Lubumax schrieb:

2) Using the example of a solid house with a construction company following your plan: In the first step, you would commission design phases 1-2, and then it goes (i) to the preliminary building permit request and (ii) to various general contractors (GCs). Is (ii) before or after feedback on the preliminary building permit?
3) Proofing phase...

By the end of module A, you should have at least a preliminary design. Based on this, the architect can submit a preliminary building permit request, while you simultaneously send initial requests for proposals to three, four, or five construction companies or house manufacturers. It would be unwise to select only companies using the same construction method. Calling the building authority’s response “feedback” is almost romanticizing it—the replies from the companies usually serve as a reality check for any rose-tinted expectations. I see no need to wait for the building authority’s response before sending out the requests for proposals. Everyone involved will need time, but you have about six to eight weeks for the proofing phase.

Lubumax schrieb:

4) And then: I still don’t understand based on which criteria I decide when the GC takes over or whether I do module B with the architect and/or the GC (module B is reportedly design phases 3-5, but elsewhere I thought you said you would commission phase 3 as a separate contract to the architect, yet the originator of the idea should also do phase 5—help, I’m confused ;-))

The responses from the companies you contacted will make you more confident (or not) about whether one of them would be a suitable GC. This will also help clarify whether the construction method remains open or your specific house preference is better realized in timber or masonry within your budget. Accordingly, you will know “yes, masonry” (then you proceed with the architect’s design or adapt the GC’s proposal with your architect and the GC), “yes, timber” (similarly as above), or “still uncertain” (then the architect will remain mandated at least through design phases 3 to 5).

Lubumax schrieb:

And 5)
If the house-building company demonstrably employs experienced architects (with degrees, etc.), from your experience, what would speak against doing it all “under one roof”?

Architects working within construction companies are always fully qualified, but they do not deliver the same quality you would get from an independent architect’s office. The GC gives them a clear, concise directive: obtain the building permit stamp—nothing more is needed to start stacking bricks and making money. Therefore, a GC is at best a second-choice employer for architects and cannot attract the best talent. Mostly, you find part-time architects (often parents) or older employed architects whose former principal has closed their office. They are certainly not all “bad,” but especially when combined with the aforementioned directive, the quality often falls short (to varying degrees).

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https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

Since you emphasize a turnkey build, that term can mean many different things and may have varying scopes depending on the provider. You should also clarify in advance whether you plan to install flooring, wallpaper, and paint yourselves, or if you might need to add extra costs to the house construction price.

Lubumax schrieb:

If the homebuilding company demonstrably has experienced architects (with degrees, etc.) in-house, what from your experience would speak against having everything done "under one roof"?

The biggest issue is the conflict of interest. In this case, you are not the client, the general contractor (GC) is. This can lead to planning that aims to minimize effort and construction costs. For example, I ended up with an insulation overhang instead of a frost wall, something I would not choose to do in hindsight.