ᐅ How much additional cost is expected based on the structural engineer’s calculations?
Created on: 11 Jun 2023 11:17
L
Lauralila88
Hello,
I have to admit that we approached the house construction quite naively...
We have already signed the detailed construction plans, and now the construction company wants us to waive our right to special termination in writing – is that even legal?
Now to the main question: we signed a fixed price contract (turnkey), but the site manager said that the price might change again after the structural engineer's calculations???? I mean, we won’t make any more changes to the plans, and we have already budgeted with the bank based on the known price – is this normal? It feels like buying a pig in a poke!
Best regards
I have to admit that we approached the house construction quite naively...
We have already signed the detailed construction plans, and now the construction company wants us to waive our right to special termination in writing – is that even legal?
Now to the main question: we signed a fixed price contract (turnkey), but the site manager said that the price might change again after the structural engineer's calculations???? I mean, we won’t make any more changes to the plans, and we have already budgeted with the bank based on the known price – is this normal? It feels like buying a pig in a poke!
Best regards
Lauralila88 schrieb:
I would have to check the documents.Yes, have a look. I would recommend having the contract, including the specification of construction services, quickly reviewed by an expert for any additional costs or items included that may contain claims that are not permissible. Otherwise, there could be further surprises for you that you have not anticipated.L
Lauralila8811 Jun 2023 14:29ypg schrieb:
Yes, take a look.
I would quickly have the contract, including the scope of work description, reviewed by an expert to check for any additional costs or items included that might lead to claims that shouldn’t be there.
Otherwise, you could face unexpected issues you haven’t considered. How do I find such an expert? What should I search for online?
So far, I have only come across the name "Haus der Handwerker" a few times, mentioned by what I would describe as politely “mildly enthusiastic” potential clients. Furthermore, you mention Massa Haus and Heinz von Heiden, from whom you have alternative quotes. So apparently, you already had a rough house idea and were looking for builders to realize it.
That you referred to the "special right of termination" as the right of withdrawal is good to know, as in my opinion this should now be urgently exercised. However, I am somewhat surprised to already see something about structural engineering in your question – which suggests that some preliminary work must have already been done for this to be relevant.
You should seek independent planning advice, with architects regularly being a genuinely valuable resource even for seemingly standard single-family home projects, and especially so if the building site has challenging ground conditions.
I understand the concept of Haus der Handwerker to be a hybrid of general contractor, planner and craftsman cooperative, and possibly even partly a subcontractor job platform. I have several years of professional experience in advising homebuilders, with over 20,000 posts here alone, and I still have not fully understood their concept – I can only imagine how confusing it must be for complete novices.
Heinz von Heiden would still be a fairly classic (masonry) turnkey general contractor, although a big name, and as you know, one I “don’t prefer.” Massa Haus, on the other hand, is a dedicated shell construction sales line for timber frame panel houses. So from a positive perspective, you are open on all sides, but it could also be said that you seem thoroughly undecided. At the very least, fundamental issues such as whether you want a turnkey house or the opposite—a shell or self-build house—should basically be clarified before you proceed.
Therefore, I recommend you first look up “Bauglück” / lawyer Reibold-Rolinger. She offers a so-called “Builder’s License” seminar for a few hundred euros, specifically designed so that laypeople do not become easy prey for, let’s say, “moderately recommended companies in the construction sector.” With this, you should be better prepared for your search for a partner and for basic legal questions facing homebuilders.
You state your building location as “BW”. Apart from myself as a nationally active freelance construction consultant, I would also suggest an engineering office in the Heidelberg area, which has already been discussed here and apparently follows a combined planning and consulting office model: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/den-richtigen-hausbau-partner-finden.42890/page-2#post-563504 – and in https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/erfahrungen-mit-bautraegern-rheinland-pfalz-empfehlungen.30286/page-3#post-342396, @Sedax182 provides a brief overview of various providers (general contractors) in the region.
Regarding your basement, you mention a size of 70 sqm (750 sq ft) as a “hobby cellar,” but not how much this is motivated by the need for ancillary rooms or possibly a sloped site. You can find explanations through the forum search using the keyword “11ant Kellerregel,” which clarifies when a basement is economically justified.
Also, “it doesn’t hurt” to introduce the building project and its plot in a separate thread. Please start this with Yvonne’s often ignored questionnaire:
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/grundriss-planung-unbedingt-vor-beitrag-erstellung-lesen.11714/
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
That you referred to the "special right of termination" as the right of withdrawal is good to know, as in my opinion this should now be urgently exercised. However, I am somewhat surprised to already see something about structural engineering in your question – which suggests that some preliminary work must have already been done for this to be relevant.
You should seek independent planning advice, with architects regularly being a genuinely valuable resource even for seemingly standard single-family home projects, and especially so if the building site has challenging ground conditions.
I understand the concept of Haus der Handwerker to be a hybrid of general contractor, planner and craftsman cooperative, and possibly even partly a subcontractor job platform. I have several years of professional experience in advising homebuilders, with over 20,000 posts here alone, and I still have not fully understood their concept – I can only imagine how confusing it must be for complete novices.
Heinz von Heiden would still be a fairly classic (masonry) turnkey general contractor, although a big name, and as you know, one I “don’t prefer.” Massa Haus, on the other hand, is a dedicated shell construction sales line for timber frame panel houses. So from a positive perspective, you are open on all sides, but it could also be said that you seem thoroughly undecided. At the very least, fundamental issues such as whether you want a turnkey house or the opposite—a shell or self-build house—should basically be clarified before you proceed.
Therefore, I recommend you first look up “Bauglück” / lawyer Reibold-Rolinger. She offers a so-called “Builder’s License” seminar for a few hundred euros, specifically designed so that laypeople do not become easy prey for, let’s say, “moderately recommended companies in the construction sector.” With this, you should be better prepared for your search for a partner and for basic legal questions facing homebuilders.
You state your building location as “BW”. Apart from myself as a nationally active freelance construction consultant, I would also suggest an engineering office in the Heidelberg area, which has already been discussed here and apparently follows a combined planning and consulting office model: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/den-richtigen-hausbau-partner-finden.42890/page-2#post-563504 – and in https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/erfahrungen-mit-bautraegern-rheinland-pfalz-empfehlungen.30286/page-3#post-342396, @Sedax182 provides a brief overview of various providers (general contractors) in the region.
Regarding your basement, you mention a size of 70 sqm (750 sq ft) as a “hobby cellar,” but not how much this is motivated by the need for ancillary rooms or possibly a sloped site. You can find explanations through the forum search using the keyword “11ant Kellerregel,” which clarifies when a basement is economically justified.
Also, “it doesn’t hurt” to introduce the building project and its plot in a separate thread. Please start this with Yvonne’s often ignored questionnaire:
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/grundriss-planung-unbedingt-vor-beitrag-erstellung-lesen.11714/
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Lauralila88 schrieb:
How do I find an expert like that? What should I search for on Google?Sorry to say this, and I don’t mean it harshly. Maybe it’s just due to the stress you’re under right now. But if you have to ask something like that yourself, then you shouldn’t be working with a general contractor (GC) you don’t trust. This information is just a Google search away. I am currently building with a GC I feel very confident about, and even so, I question everything and research each topic at least enough to understand what exactly is happening and to follow what the construction manager and tradespeople are doing. You definitely need a basic understanding of most trades. For the tricks and details, of course, you rely on the professionals.
Read up on basements and the options available, and try to understand everything that is being presented to you. Even if we all think it through here together, you should always form your own opinion. You should fully understand the scope of work in your construction contract. Especially when you’re investing that much money into something.
If you want to avoid all the stress, then going with a large, well-known builder who just follows a standard procedure is probably the safest option.
jrth2151 schrieb:
If you want to avoid all the stress, then a large, well-known manufacturer that just follows a standard procedure is probably the safest choice. Whether the luck then fails because the customer wants to deviate from the standard procedure or because large providers with big legal departments are very skilled at legally taking advantage of laypeople, in the end it's much of a muchness, right?
If simple solutions are the goal, I still believe that the construction company "Maurersohn and Enkel" from the neighboring town maintains its reputation best through flawless workmanship.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/