Hello everyone,
We have a few questions regarding our architect, their cost estimate, and their overall approach. We are currently in phase 2; planning the major renovation and a 40% increase in living space for our 1960s house. We have attached the cost calculation we received after 4 weeks of processing, as there are several points we find unclear. We have already discussed this with the architect, who also cannot explain the high costs. The costs seem disproportionately high to us. At the start of the planning, we had budgeted €500,000. How should we approach this? Is it realistic to expect the total to get close to €600,000? In that case, we would have to cut many things that we actually want to keep. Our original goal was to expand the living space and not to completely abandon the extensions and only carry out a major renovation. Does this cost estimate make sense to you? We look forward to your comments.
We have a few questions regarding our architect, their cost estimate, and their overall approach. We are currently in phase 2; planning the major renovation and a 40% increase in living space for our 1960s house. We have attached the cost calculation we received after 4 weeks of processing, as there are several points we find unclear. We have already discussed this with the architect, who also cannot explain the high costs. The costs seem disproportionately high to us. At the start of the planning, we had budgeted €500,000. How should we approach this? Is it realistic to expect the total to get close to €600,000? In that case, we would have to cut many things that we actually want to keep. Our original goal was to expand the living space and not to completely abandon the extensions and only carry out a major renovation. Does this cost estimate make sense to you? We look forward to your comments.
J
Johannes23077 May 2024 14:46Benutzer225 schrieb:
Thanks for sharing your experiences. We are building in Baden-Württemberg near Stuttgart. How much do you pay for the architect? The architect’s fee is calculated according to the current HOAI and only seems so high because construction costs are so expensive.We are paying a total of 60,000 for the architect (phases 1-8), including structural engineering and construction supervision. The fee guideline was also HOAI, but individually negotiated.And I thought our architect was already expensive at around 30,000. On top of that, another 4,500 for the structural engineering. The architect provided a calculation based on HOAI and then estimated the amount of work required for each phase of our project, offering a corresponding percentage. A very similar construction project: a single-family home of 110 sqm (1,184 sq ft) being expanded to a two-family home of 230 sqm (2,475 sq ft). Total costs (including additional expenses and some self-performed work) around 550,000, with a 125,000 KfW grant.
B
Benutzer2259 May 2024 22:53Gudeen. schrieb:
And I thought our architect was expensive at around 30,000. Plus another 4,500 for the structural engineer. The architect provided a calculation based on HOAI and then estimated the actual work required at each phase for our project, offering a corresponding percentage. Very similar construction project, expanding a single-family house of 110cm (43 inches)² to a two-family house of 230cm (91 inches)². Total costs (including additional expenses and some personal contributions) about 550,000, of which 125,000 is from a KfW subsidy. Ok, that sounds comparatively very affordable. Where are you building? What kind of personal contributions were you able to make? Unfortunately, we can hardly include any personal labor.
B
Benutzer2259 May 2024 22:58mr.xyz1 schrieb:
We paid 9000 net (plus costs for the structural engineer) for the architect (including detailed execution planning). The construction was carried out by a general contractor, and it cost 450,000.
The HOAI is just a recommendation. Ah, interesting! Which phases did you complete with the architect? Were phases 1 and 2 sufficient? Are the preliminary design plans enough for the general contractor?
B
Benutzer2259 May 2024 23:03Gerddieter schrieb:
Sounds almost like our architect – he mostly overwhelmed us with cost tables that were far beyond our agreed budget. There were never any proper design drafts.
When we decided to part ways, he was completely "certain" that he had delivered, including phase 3 of the scope of services...
It was an expensive but worthwhile separation.Thank you for your feedback! How did you manage to get out of the architect contract? Were you able to reach an agreement with the architect, or did you officially pay him the amount stipulated in the contract? That was probably a significant sum.B
Benutzer2259 May 2024 23:08Gerddieter schrieb:
For me, it also started with an architect and similar fee expectations... since I didn’t want to cut costs on every corner of the house and at the same time pay the architect an excessive amount, I chose the general contractor – for me, the right decision.... Which phases had you already completed with the general contractor? Did you then carry out the remaining phases with the general contractor? Who submitted the building permit / planning permission?
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