ᐅ Are additional work items during house construction reasonable and fairly priced?
Created on: 3 Nov 2022 22:00
D
DominicHannove
Good evening,
We have received an offer from a general contractor and are wondering whether the following additional items are reasonably priced and make sense:
1. Compensation for fittings and sanitary fixtures when purchased by the homeowner (warranty only covers up to the rough installation stage; concealed installations remain our responsibility):
Compensation for ground floor WC: Hand basin including faucet, WC including flush control (flush tank remains our responsibility)
Compensation for attic bathroom: 1 washbasin including faucet, WC including flush control (flush tank remains the responsibility of Bösteinhaus), shower faucet and shower set including rail (connections remain our responsibility)
Compensation: €2,420.00
The sanitary fixtures included would be: Brand Vigour series “Derby” or “Derby Style”, alternatively brand Geberit series “Renova Plan” or brand Villeroy & Boch series “O.Novo”; faucets: brand Vigour series “Derby”, alternatively brand Hansgrohe “Talis S” or brand Hansa series “Hansapinto”
2. Removal of the fixed central mullions on double casement windows, replaced by installation of special flush profiles
Additional cost: 3 windows x €160.00 = €480.00
3. Installation of a secondary entrance door as a wooden door to the utility room, offset against the omitted window, including security fittings and insulation matching the front door, solid door leaf, including locking system matching the front door
Additional cost: €2,020.00
4. Installation of a skylight in the attic hallway, approx. 78 x 118 cm (31 x 46 inches), compliant with the energy saving regulations, brand Velux type GGU MK 06 Thermo (pivot window)
Additional cost: €1,360.00
5. Supply and installation of rough tongue-and-groove boarding, 24 mm (1 inch) thick, made of Nordic spruce or fir, dried, staggered installation with screws onto ceiling joists or collar beams
Additional cost: €1,840.00
6. Concrete staircase, white plastered, with beech steps and risers made of washable white Forex panels, with railing according to building specifications and steel handrail or alternatively masonry railing with internal handrail, with storage room and door under the stairs including light outlet and socket
Additional cost compared to standard staircase: €4,800.00
This “standard” staircase would be: A nicely shaped open staircase with solid wood steps in laminated beech, with continuous railing made of modern round tubing
7. Installation of an additional shower in the guest WC as a flush-floor, tiled design approx. 90 x 150 cm (35 x 59 inches) with installation of one floor drain and required large-area sealing, wall enclosure up to 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) height according to drawing, shower area tiled to 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) height; shower faucet and shower set including rail to be provided by homeowner
Note: a shower partition must be installed by the builder on-site
Additional cost: €1,990.00
8. Creation of a tiled niche in the shower in the ground floor WC, approx. 30 x 60 cm (12 x 24 inches)
Additional cost: €340.00
9. Creation of a masonry and tiled shelf behind the washbasin in the ground floor WC, height 1.20 m (4 ft), approx. 0.8 linear meters
Additional cost: €200.00
10. Installation of an additional cold water connection in the ground floor WC next to the toilet (for future installation of a bidet spray by the builder)
Additional cost: €290.00
11. Creation of a tiled shelf next to the bathtub according to drawing, height approx. 50–60 cm (20–24 inches)
Additional cost: €190.00
12. Installation of a laundry chute from the upper bathroom to the utility room (ground floor), 300 mm (12 inches) spiral seam pipe with laundry bag and secured flap for inserting laundry
Additional cost: €1,160.00 (alternative: laundry chute as homeowner’s own work, we provide only ceiling opening 350 x 350 mm (14 x 14 inches), additional cost: €180.00)
13. Installation of all switch boxes in deep form for retrofitting wireless smart home systems by own work
Additional cost: €560.00
14. Installation of AEROPAC SN (Siegenia AUBI) demand-controlled ventilators. Draft-free and whisper-quiet operation, individual air regulation, dust filter function, including core drilling and socket
Additional cost: number of bedrooms 4 x €1,100.00 each = €4,400.00
What do you think?
Are there items that are overpriced?
What would you include and what not? (I know some are very individual. For these, I’m more interested if the additional cost is reasonable.)
Are there individual items I should better leave out initially and commission later with the respective specialist?
We would appreciate any advice.
Best regards
We have received an offer from a general contractor and are wondering whether the following additional items are reasonably priced and make sense:
1. Compensation for fittings and sanitary fixtures when purchased by the homeowner (warranty only covers up to the rough installation stage; concealed installations remain our responsibility):
Compensation for ground floor WC: Hand basin including faucet, WC including flush control (flush tank remains our responsibility)
Compensation for attic bathroom: 1 washbasin including faucet, WC including flush control (flush tank remains the responsibility of Bösteinhaus), shower faucet and shower set including rail (connections remain our responsibility)
Compensation: €2,420.00
The sanitary fixtures included would be: Brand Vigour series “Derby” or “Derby Style”, alternatively brand Geberit series “Renova Plan” or brand Villeroy & Boch series “O.Novo”; faucets: brand Vigour series “Derby”, alternatively brand Hansgrohe “Talis S” or brand Hansa series “Hansapinto”
2. Removal of the fixed central mullions on double casement windows, replaced by installation of special flush profiles
Additional cost: 3 windows x €160.00 = €480.00
3. Installation of a secondary entrance door as a wooden door to the utility room, offset against the omitted window, including security fittings and insulation matching the front door, solid door leaf, including locking system matching the front door
Additional cost: €2,020.00
4. Installation of a skylight in the attic hallway, approx. 78 x 118 cm (31 x 46 inches), compliant with the energy saving regulations, brand Velux type GGU MK 06 Thermo (pivot window)
Additional cost: €1,360.00
5. Supply and installation of rough tongue-and-groove boarding, 24 mm (1 inch) thick, made of Nordic spruce or fir, dried, staggered installation with screws onto ceiling joists or collar beams
Additional cost: €1,840.00
6. Concrete staircase, white plastered, with beech steps and risers made of washable white Forex panels, with railing according to building specifications and steel handrail or alternatively masonry railing with internal handrail, with storage room and door under the stairs including light outlet and socket
Additional cost compared to standard staircase: €4,800.00
This “standard” staircase would be: A nicely shaped open staircase with solid wood steps in laminated beech, with continuous railing made of modern round tubing
7. Installation of an additional shower in the guest WC as a flush-floor, tiled design approx. 90 x 150 cm (35 x 59 inches) with installation of one floor drain and required large-area sealing, wall enclosure up to 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) height according to drawing, shower area tiled to 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) height; shower faucet and shower set including rail to be provided by homeowner
Note: a shower partition must be installed by the builder on-site
Additional cost: €1,990.00
8. Creation of a tiled niche in the shower in the ground floor WC, approx. 30 x 60 cm (12 x 24 inches)
Additional cost: €340.00
9. Creation of a masonry and tiled shelf behind the washbasin in the ground floor WC, height 1.20 m (4 ft), approx. 0.8 linear meters
Additional cost: €200.00
10. Installation of an additional cold water connection in the ground floor WC next to the toilet (for future installation of a bidet spray by the builder)
Additional cost: €290.00
11. Creation of a tiled shelf next to the bathtub according to drawing, height approx. 50–60 cm (20–24 inches)
Additional cost: €190.00
12. Installation of a laundry chute from the upper bathroom to the utility room (ground floor), 300 mm (12 inches) spiral seam pipe with laundry bag and secured flap for inserting laundry
Additional cost: €1,160.00 (alternative: laundry chute as homeowner’s own work, we provide only ceiling opening 350 x 350 mm (14 x 14 inches), additional cost: €180.00)
13. Installation of all switch boxes in deep form for retrofitting wireless smart home systems by own work
Additional cost: €560.00
14. Installation of AEROPAC SN (Siegenia AUBI) demand-controlled ventilators. Draft-free and whisper-quiet operation, individual air regulation, dust filter function, including core drilling and socket
Additional cost: number of bedrooms 4 x €1,100.00 each = €4,400.00
What do you think?
Are there items that are overpriced?
What would you include and what not? (I know some are very individual. For these, I’m more interested if the additional cost is reasonable.)
Are there individual items I should better leave out initially and commission later with the respective specialist?
We would appreciate any advice.
Best regards
xMisterDx schrieb:
then this central solution won't be worth the additional cost in 100 years.
Therefore, I agree that he should skip this expensive option and instead aim for the decentralized version at a fraction of the price.Sorry, but this is about discharging energy outside in order to bring it back in again. Heat pumps and photovoltaic systems are not a guarantee to waste energy just because you can afford it.
Mechanical ventilation should not be considered only from a cost perspective. It provides comfort (for example, pollen filters for allergies...), which would be difficult or require significant effort to add later. I prefer a carport instead of a garage and invest in mechanical ventilation instead. But of course, everyone has different priorities. When building with traditional masonry, keep in mind that you may have moisture in the structure for over two years that needs to be removed (based on my personal experience with a new rental apartment). Also, not all life situations allow for sufficient natural ventilation (12 hours away from home ;-) ).
I would never go without a centralized controlled ventilation system again (although, as mentioned above, others have different opinions on this).
I would never go without a centralized controlled ventilation system again (although, as mentioned above, others have different opinions on this).
X
xMisterDx4 Nov 2022 00:05Why can I only use a pollen filter in a central ventilation system and not in a decentralized one?
Why do I need a pollen filter if I don’t have allergies?
The moisture in the building doesn’t have to stay in for two years; it can be dried out.
I don’t understand ypg’s comment at all. Do they believe a decentralized system doesn’t have heat recovery?
In that case... what level are we even discussing here? Novice helper’s assistant apprentice?!?!?
Why do I need a pollen filter if I don’t have allergies?
The moisture in the building doesn’t have to stay in for two years; it can be dried out.
I don’t understand ypg’s comment at all. Do they believe a decentralized system doesn’t have heat recovery?
In that case... what level are we even discussing here? Novice helper’s assistant apprentice?!?!?
xMisterDx schrieb:
I don’t understand ypg’s comment at all. Does he/she think a decentralized system has no heat recovery? My response is not about decentralized or centralized systems. You don’t have to read carefully to see what I was replying to, and my answer refers to… tada… manual ventilation, which the original poster prefers in their reply. Your #22 with my quote has nothing to do with my answer.
xMisterDx schrieb:
In this case… at what level are we discussing? Novice helper’s helper apprentice?!?!? The point is to address questions and not to blindly use buzzwords or express opinions that don’t respond to the question.
M
motorradsilke4 Nov 2022 05:18We also have French windows. I think they’re great for floor-to-ceiling windows that you walk through. For regular windows, I wouldn’t do it again, because you always have to open the designated window first, and the second window doesn’t have a normal handle but an internal type of latch. It’s not a big deal, but I wouldn’t pay extra for it.
We also have a side entrance door in the utility room, and I wouldn’t want to miss it. When we’re at home, it gets used more than the main front door because it leads directly to the back garden area, garages, and sheds.
Regarding the sanitary fixtures: you need to consider what you like and whether you can get something better for the price. I think you probably can.
The same applies to the stairs—it's a matter of personal preference. I have a bungalow but also know houses with stairs. I would always prefer an open wooden staircase if I don’t need the space underneath enclosed, because it simply feels lighter and more open. A friend has a concrete staircase with closed sides, which feels like a prison to me.
Tongue-and-groove boards are easy to install yourself; you just have to check what you can get. Last year, we paid 10 euros per square meter (about $11 per sq ft), but that was directly from the sawmill, found through online classifieds.
For all the small jobs, you need to talk to the respective tradespeople. Ours refused to do anything that wasn’t handled by the general contractor because it was forbidden and they wanted to keep getting work from them.
I can’t say whether you need a laundry chute, since we have a bungalow. But I guess you go downstairs anyway and can take the laundry with you.
We don’t have a ventilation system either. I don’t know them and don’t miss one. Does it save a lot of energy? It uses energy itself, including when heating is off. That’s something to look into. In any case, we achieve a good indoor climate with normal ventilation. I’d be somewhat skeptical about them if both partners are out of the house for 12 hours a day (but then again, why would you need a house with a garden 😉).
We also have a side entrance door in the utility room, and I wouldn’t want to miss it. When we’re at home, it gets used more than the main front door because it leads directly to the back garden area, garages, and sheds.
Regarding the sanitary fixtures: you need to consider what you like and whether you can get something better for the price. I think you probably can.
The same applies to the stairs—it's a matter of personal preference. I have a bungalow but also know houses with stairs. I would always prefer an open wooden staircase if I don’t need the space underneath enclosed, because it simply feels lighter and more open. A friend has a concrete staircase with closed sides, which feels like a prison to me.
Tongue-and-groove boards are easy to install yourself; you just have to check what you can get. Last year, we paid 10 euros per square meter (about $11 per sq ft), but that was directly from the sawmill, found through online classifieds.
For all the small jobs, you need to talk to the respective tradespeople. Ours refused to do anything that wasn’t handled by the general contractor because it was forbidden and they wanted to keep getting work from them.
I can’t say whether you need a laundry chute, since we have a bungalow. But I guess you go downstairs anyway and can take the laundry with you.
We don’t have a ventilation system either. I don’t know them and don’t miss one. Does it save a lot of energy? It uses energy itself, including when heating is off. That’s something to look into. In any case, we achieve a good indoor climate with normal ventilation. I’d be somewhat skeptical about them if both partners are out of the house for 12 hours a day (but then again, why would you need a house with a garden 😉).
H
HilfeHilfe4 Nov 2022 06:42I would reconsider point 1. Does this mean that you buy the materials and install them yourselves? How is liability handled in case of damage?
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