Hello everyone,
I need your help again.
We are still looking for an architect, and I’m still unsure about the best way to approach this.
- Unfortunately, we have no recommendations from friends, acquaintances, or family.
- We have asked owners of houses we like that are currently being built or recently completed, but none of them worked with an architect; they handled the planning themselves.
I have now gathered some addresses, focusing on firms located near us. Their websites don’t provide much information, and none seem to specialize exclusively in single-family homes—most also offer commercial projects, and so on.
Should I simply call and arrange a non-binding consultation to find out whether they can deliver what we want and if the personal chemistry feels right? Should I contact three different ones to have a choice?
What if they design a draft that we don’t like at all?
Is it possible to agree upfront that the service will only involve planning and drawing the floor plan and nothing more? How are the costs for floor plan planning usually handled? So far, I understood that architects’ fees are calculated based on the construction budget. But how can costs be estimated if I only want the floor plan drawn? Whether I build it using more affordable or the most expensive materials doesn’t initially affect the floor plan itself.
I really have a thousand questions in my head and don’t know how to start.
I’ve already looked at hundreds of floor plans from providers offering turnkey builds online, but never found one that really fit.
We don’t want a super fancy design house with unusual architecture, but we do have a few specific requirements, which is why we’re considering working with a designer.
Does anyone have any tips for me?
I need your help again.
We are still looking for an architect, and I’m still unsure about the best way to approach this.
- Unfortunately, we have no recommendations from friends, acquaintances, or family.
- We have asked owners of houses we like that are currently being built or recently completed, but none of them worked with an architect; they handled the planning themselves.
I have now gathered some addresses, focusing on firms located near us. Their websites don’t provide much information, and none seem to specialize exclusively in single-family homes—most also offer commercial projects, and so on.
Should I simply call and arrange a non-binding consultation to find out whether they can deliver what we want and if the personal chemistry feels right? Should I contact three different ones to have a choice?
What if they design a draft that we don’t like at all?
Is it possible to agree upfront that the service will only involve planning and drawing the floor plan and nothing more? How are the costs for floor plan planning usually handled? So far, I understood that architects’ fees are calculated based on the construction budget. But how can costs be estimated if I only want the floor plan drawn? Whether I build it using more affordable or the most expensive materials doesn’t initially affect the floor plan itself.
I really have a thousand questions in my head and don’t know how to start.
I’ve already looked at hundreds of floor plans from providers offering turnkey builds online, but never found one that really fit.
We don’t want a super fancy design house with unusual architecture, but we do have a few specific requirements, which is why we’re considering working with a designer.
Does anyone have any tips for me?
Cascada schrieb:
.... - then why insist on an architect-designed house? Counter question: Why insist on building with a "house construction company"?
@Cascada – That definitely exists, but our approach is decided, and we will plan with an architect. I don’t want to discuss this further here since there are already plenty of other threads on this topic.
@doc – I know we took a risk, but we already bought the plot, even without a soil report. We will have one done shortly now. In the worst case, we will build without a basement, but with a finished attic instead. We would have bought the plot anyway; the location is excellent, and there are no other plots available in this residential area (well, there is one more, 2,000m (6,562 ft) for a mere €611,000).
@Bauexperte and Wanderdüne
I spoke with the architect again. He always quotes prices including VAT since we are “end customers.” He is now getting us offers from a surveyor and a soil expert he regularly works with, so we might be able to commission them before Christmas.
He is already drawing a first plan, which we will see before Christmas as well. We will then meet to discuss his ideas and can think about them over the holidays.
What do you mean by that?
@doc – I know we took a risk, but we already bought the plot, even without a soil report. We will have one done shortly now. In the worst case, we will build without a basement, but with a finished attic instead. We would have bought the plot anyway; the location is excellent, and there are no other plots available in this residential area (well, there is one more, 2,000m (6,562 ft) for a mere €611,000).
@Bauexperte and Wanderdüne
I spoke with the architect again. He always quotes prices including VAT since we are “end customers.” He is now getting us offers from a surveyor and a soil expert he regularly works with, so we might be able to commission them before Christmas.
He is already drawing a first plan, which we will see before Christmas as well. We will then meet to discuss his ideas and can think about them over the holidays.
Bauexperte schrieb:
the issue with heights depending on the frequently used reference of the top edge of the finished floor level versus maximizing eaves and ridge heights
What do you mean by that?
@E.Curb
This is just my opinion – I could limit myself to the actual product and find a suitable company with all the advantages I mentioned, without having to deal with searching for an architect, fee issues, and so on. Although, of course, choosing the house builder also requires some effort. In our case: online research, forums, a prefabricated house exhibition (plus two solid construction manufacturers), shortlisted three providers – and then decided...
This is just my opinion – I could limit myself to the actual product and find a suitable company with all the advantages I mentioned, without having to deal with searching for an architect, fee issues, and so on. Although, of course, choosing the house builder also requires some effort. In our case: online research, forums, a prefabricated house exhibition (plus two solid construction manufacturers), shortlisted three providers – and then decided...
schubert7927 Nov 2014 17:14That all sounds very reasonable. Good luck, and keep us updated.
U
Username_wahl27 Nov 2014 18:24Hello, I wouldn’t just throw €2000 at someone to see if I want to build with them. Instead, it’s better to look at some of their reference projects.
W
Wanderdüne27 Nov 2014 21:28Panama17 schrieb:
... neatly drawn and not just scribbled by hand on paper.Well, a brilliant design scribbled on grease-stained sandwich paper should be preferable to a high-end presentation of average trivialities.
Panama17 schrieb:
...a first idea based on which we can decide whether we can imagine working with the architect. ...to better see whether a collaboration will work or not. ...explained how to judge the way of thinking, reasoning, etc. After only a one-hour preliminary talk, that’s really difficult.I understand you; the approach sounds logical. However, this is not how a design process usually works. If you consider the project phases, the early phases are the most important. Mistakes made here cannot be compensated for later, and overlooked client requirements can render the almost finished design from phase 3 useless. The price mentioned can’t include the necessary preliminary analysis. Sitting down to create a design after only one hour is a waste of time. The first design is usually scrap anyway, but please not knowingly so.
Panama17 schrieb:
My gut feeling says that 2–3 attempts should be included without charging extra effort, or am I wrong?There’s really no real limit on the number of design attempts. At the latest, when one or both parties can only endure the meetings with increasing amounts of alcohol, an amicable parting will occur.
Panama17 schrieb:
In my opinion, it can’t be a basis for a planning permission-approved design yet. There’s neither a geotechnical soil report nor surveyor documents. We also haven’t really discussed technical issues or insulation, which among other things affect the wall thickness.See above: knowingly producing scrap…
Panama17 schrieb:
... sure, I will upload plans as soon as I have a first draft, since I want to benefit from the forum’s collective experience But first, obtain the consent of the rights holder.
Otherwise, look into phased contracts; I consider them more appropriate.
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