ᐅ External Construction Supervision for Extension Project in Erkner, Recommendations Needed

Hello, we want to add a solid extension to our timber frame prefabricated house. We have obtained offers from architects, including a quote for design phases 1-8. Would it be advisable to involve an independent expert in addition or instead, and if so, which type of expert would you recommend? Thank you!

Check with the Chamber of Commerce; you can find qualified sworn experts there. It doesn’t hurt to have someone else review it as well.

Good evening, thank you very much for the tip, we will definitely look into that. Should such an expert be involved before signing the architect’s proposal (we have not received a contract, only an architect’s proposal – is that sufficient?) and throughout the entire construction project, or only for specific phases of the project? Sorry for the basic questions; this is all new ground for us.

Best regards

I would inform the architect that the construction will be supervised by an expert. Honestly, I would have them visit 3 to 4 times during the key stages (foundation slab, shell construction, roof, for example). Many also do this through the building owners' protection association.

Grasfreund schrieb:

we did not receive a contract, only an architect's offer – is that sufficient?

Certainly. Even online sales and services: when someone accepts or commissions an offer, a contractual relationship is established.

Grasfreund schrieb:

We also received an offer covering service phases 1-8. Would it be advisable to involve an external expert in addition or instead, and if so, who would you recommend?

No. Do you know what the architect’s service phases include? I already explained this to you in another forum. Phase 8 is external construction supervision – and it is more comprehensive than what any external expert could provide.

Grasfreund schrieb:

Hello, we want to build a solid extension onto our timber frame (or wood stud) prefab house. We have obtained architect offers for this. One of them covers service phases 1-8.

First, be clear about exactly what and how you want to build. Of course, you can commission all service phases right from the start. But that also means you plan to manage individual trade contracts yourself.

Grasfreund schrieb:

Should such an expert be involved before signing the architect’s offer (we don’t have a contract, only an architect’s offer – is that sufficient?) and throughout the entire construction project or only during certain phases?

Not at all. In the morning the architect is on site managing construction supervision, organizing the trades, checking invoices and construction progress, coordinating defect resolution – and then in the afternoon the expert is supposed to come by again?

Snowy36 schrieb:

I would inform the architect that the construction is being overseen by an expert. And I would honestly have them visit 3 to 4 times during key stages (e.g., foundation slab, shell construction, roof). Many arrange this through the Homeowners’ Protection Association.

Then only take service phase 7 as the last phase? And who exactly takes care of all the other tasks from phase 8? The original poster, who has no construction experience, handles invoices, construction status, and defects?
@Grasfreund: Spend more time researching the topic and clarifying your goals. Then decide if you want to take the architect for all services, maybe just use them for planning and then hire a general contractor, get involved yourself (supported by an expert), or whichever way you want to proceed.
There are many paths to building a house. Also consider why you want a solid extension onto a timber frame prefab house – from my perspective, that doesn’t make much sense at first. Connecting a timber frame extension to the existing structure is usually the logical solution.