ᐅ Creating Architectural Drawings for Home Construction & Contracting Trades Individually
Created on: 30 Jan 2015 08:24
T
Tommes78
Good morning,
like many of you, we are currently exploring the topic of building a house. We have already purchased a plot of land over 650 sqm (7000 sq ft) and have a time frame of three years to complete the house.
We want to plan everything carefully, and since we don’t have to start building immediately—especially with a wedding coming up this summer—we are in no rush.
We have already contacted a few developers, and the prices were almost always about the same in the end. When our bank advisor found out we had already spoken to developers, he suggested why not commission everything ourselves, as this could save us a significant amount of money.
So, how should I proceed?
I am thinking of hiring an architect to create a design based on our preferences. I’m considering services covering project phases 1 to 6. After that, we want to request quotes from specialized contractors for each trade, at least for the major ones like structural work including the basement, roof, heating, and so on.
We are fortunate because my father used to be a bricklayer and could supervise the construction, and my brother-in-law works in building materials, so we might get good prices there. Of course, I don’t know how companies would react if we want to supply the bricks ourselves, but I think it’s all a matter of agreement.
What do you think? What is the best way to approach this? Do you think our plan makes sense? We understand that it will be more stressful and take more time.
Thanks in advance for your answers.
like many of you, we are currently exploring the topic of building a house. We have already purchased a plot of land over 650 sqm (7000 sq ft) and have a time frame of three years to complete the house.
We want to plan everything carefully, and since we don’t have to start building immediately—especially with a wedding coming up this summer—we are in no rush.
We have already contacted a few developers, and the prices were almost always about the same in the end. When our bank advisor found out we had already spoken to developers, he suggested why not commission everything ourselves, as this could save us a significant amount of money.
So, how should I proceed?
I am thinking of hiring an architect to create a design based on our preferences. I’m considering services covering project phases 1 to 6. After that, we want to request quotes from specialized contractors for each trade, at least for the major ones like structural work including the basement, roof, heating, and so on.
We are fortunate because my father used to be a bricklayer and could supervise the construction, and my brother-in-law works in building materials, so we might get good prices there. Of course, I don’t know how companies would react if we want to supply the bricks ourselves, but I think it’s all a matter of agreement.
What do you think? What is the best way to approach this? Do you think our plan makes sense? We understand that it will be more stressful and take more time.
Thanks in advance for your answers.
The reason we prefer to plan through an architect is the following: we visited three different developers, and when you ask them to exclude certain trades from the contract, they hardly credit you any money for that. So, it really doesn’t make much sense to subcontract those parts elsewhere, unless you can also save on labor costs. I simply think that the margin for individually contracting companies for the trades is larger, and it doesn’t get lost in the mixed calculation of the developers.
My plan would be to have our house designed by an architect and then use these drawings to get different offers. Of course, you could also approach the developers afterwards to ask them to provide an offer for the planned house. I just don’t know if this is feasible?
My plan would be to have our house designed by an architect and then use these drawings to get different offers. Of course, you could also approach the developers afterwards to ask them to provide an offer for the planned house. I just don’t know if this is feasible?
B
Bauexperte2 Feb 2015 11:53Hello,
Removing individual trades also raises questions about warranty coverage. For example, we only allow owner-performed or externally subcontracted work once our part of the house construction is completed. So, trades are always removed from the back end to the front.
Best regards, Bauexperte
Tommes78 schrieb:You probably mean general contractors (GC) or general subcontractors (GS). Using the correct terminology is very important; a developer (DEV) sells you the completed house along with the land and you usually make a maximum of 7 progress payments.
We consulted 3 different developers,
Tommes78 schrieb:If a GC credits you for a trade, the labor costs are generally included in that credit amount. The issue from your perspective is that the vast majority of GCs/GSs have a fixed basic price list, which they use at the end of the year to negotiate terms with their subcontractors. These baseline revenues secure the subcontractors’ economic operation and it only becomes interesting for them when homeowners upgrade the standard—meaning they purchase additional options. This does not necessarily mean that the prices for these upgrades are completely inflated!
If we deduct trades from the contract, you rarely get much money credited back. So it’s usually not worth subcontracting those tasks yourself, unless you can also save on labor costs. I just think the margin for contracting individual trades is bigger and it doesn’t get lost in the developer’s overall pricing.
Removing individual trades also raises questions about warranty coverage. For example, we only allow owner-performed or externally subcontracted work once our part of the house construction is completed. So, trades are always removed from the back end to the front.
Tommes78 schrieb:Of course, why not?
My plan would be the following: we have an architect design our house and with these plans we get various quotes. Of course, there is also the option to approach developers so they can then submit an offer for the planned house. I just don’t know if that is really feasible?
Best regards, Bauexperte
T
toxicmolotof2 Feb 2015 12:28Sorum will naturally work out.
Out of seven architects contacted, two declined immediately, four only agreed to proceed with advance payment or a contract, and only one, who was very committed, even reviewed the building file at the building authority and then created a design. We only had to pay the information fees.
However, we felt that this level of commitment is not a given and is therefore very rare.
Further discussions with other architects were far to very far from this level of engagement.
Out of seven architects contacted, two declined immediately, four only agreed to proceed with advance payment or a contract, and only one, who was very committed, even reviewed the building file at the building authority and then created a design. We only had to pay the information fees.
However, we felt that this level of commitment is not a given and is therefore very rare.
Further discussions with other architects were far to very far from this level of engagement.
B
Bauexperte2 Feb 2015 13:57Hello Tox,
Best regards, Bauexperte
toxicmolotow schrieb:I’m always glad that they still exist at all
However, we felt that this level of commitment is not a given and is therefore very rarely encountered.
Best regards, Bauexperte
T
toxicmolotof2 Feb 2015 15:01Bauexperte schrieb:
Hello Tox,
I’m always glad that they still exist at all
Regards, BauexperteNot so far from you in Büttgen.
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