Hello everyone,
I hope you can give me some advice or tips.
We bought a house in shell condition and decided to have an architect handle the interior fit-out.
We have a budget X for the interior work, but there is no detailed breakdown of what may/can/should cost what.
We constantly have to chase the architect to get a price range for each item. For example, when buying tiles, he sends us to the hardware store but doesn’t tell us how much per square meter (square foot) they are allowed to cost. So, again, we have to call him back.
He orders a front door and sends us a photo. The door was white on both sides with frosted glass, but the one delivered was white on the inside and wood-like on the outside with clear window glass! We never wanted clear glass, and he knew that! More back and forth calls, and now we have to buy a film for the glass because the company doesn’t sell front doors with frosted glass. Great! That’s how the communication works.
Regarding the kitchen tile backsplash, we clearly explained multiple times how we want it. A few days later, the backsplash was done—but the way the architect wanted it, not as we agreed. So again, a phone call, and ultimately some tiles had to be removed and redone.
It’s getting frustrating!
And now we have the next problem:
The architect chose a sink, shower screen, wall-mounted toilet with seat, and other sanitary fixtures from a very expensive bathroom supplier. We didn’t know this. The bathtub is already installed—we didn’t see it beforehand, so once again, we weren’t consulted. When we looked at the sanitary fittings, it was an absolute no-go! Completely unsuitable in terms of style...
and price-wise, the cheapest of the cheap! If we were to pick what we want, of course, we wouldn’t reach the price in his current offer. We actually like sanitary fittings at hardware stores that are also much cheaper. He insists we must buy from this bathroom supplier and probably even the items he selected...
What can we do? What options do we even have? If that bathroom goes in with what he chose, I won’t move in... *sigh*
Unfortunately, we only have a work contract with him, and I fear we have to comply... I hope someone here can help!
One more question:
Do we have the right to request invoices for the services provided (tiler, tile purchase, etc.)? To ultimately check whether he actually used the full amount allocated for the interior fit-out? It could be that he buys everything cheaply and keeps the rest for himself...
Thank you and best regards
I hope you can give me some advice or tips.
We bought a house in shell condition and decided to have an architect handle the interior fit-out.
We have a budget X for the interior work, but there is no detailed breakdown of what may/can/should cost what.
We constantly have to chase the architect to get a price range for each item. For example, when buying tiles, he sends us to the hardware store but doesn’t tell us how much per square meter (square foot) they are allowed to cost. So, again, we have to call him back.
He orders a front door and sends us a photo. The door was white on both sides with frosted glass, but the one delivered was white on the inside and wood-like on the outside with clear window glass! We never wanted clear glass, and he knew that! More back and forth calls, and now we have to buy a film for the glass because the company doesn’t sell front doors with frosted glass. Great! That’s how the communication works.
Regarding the kitchen tile backsplash, we clearly explained multiple times how we want it. A few days later, the backsplash was done—but the way the architect wanted it, not as we agreed. So again, a phone call, and ultimately some tiles had to be removed and redone.
It’s getting frustrating!
And now we have the next problem:
The architect chose a sink, shower screen, wall-mounted toilet with seat, and other sanitary fixtures from a very expensive bathroom supplier. We didn’t know this. The bathtub is already installed—we didn’t see it beforehand, so once again, we weren’t consulted. When we looked at the sanitary fittings, it was an absolute no-go! Completely unsuitable in terms of style...
and price-wise, the cheapest of the cheap! If we were to pick what we want, of course, we wouldn’t reach the price in his current offer. We actually like sanitary fittings at hardware stores that are also much cheaper. He insists we must buy from this bathroom supplier and probably even the items he selected...
What can we do? What options do we even have? If that bathroom goes in with what he chose, I won’t move in... *sigh*
Unfortunately, we only have a work contract with him, and I fear we have to comply... I hope someone here can help!
One more question:
Do we have the right to request invoices for the services provided (tiler, tile purchase, etc.)? To ultimately check whether he actually used the full amount allocated for the interior fit-out? It could be that he buys everything cheaply and keeps the rest for himself...
Thank you and best regards
fragri schrieb:
Exactly... and we also confronted Mr. V. with this in a consultation... of course, he didn’t want to hear any of it :p... We then concluded that building with a general contractor who dictates the technical details and execution is not for us... Certainly a decision you will very likely not regret!!! However, this assumes that the new approach includes a thorough initial investigation and proper system design! Then, hardly anything should go wrong and you can expect reasonable operating costs! Best regards
B
Bauexperte25 Oct 2013 14:48Hello Yvonne,
In the past—less so today, because architects are more cautious about liability—both cases existed. A contract for the architectural services based on HOAI and a separate contract for the new construction; the architect acted as both designer and site manager. Often, both were combined into a single fixed-price contract, where the architect was the typical general contractor.
Regards, Bauexperte
ypg schrieb:If you mean your statement exclusively, you are mistaken. Otherwise, the answer is a clear maybe 😉
If you build with an architect, there is no fixed-price contract, but rather the HOAI scale (or am I mistaken?)
In the past—less so today, because architects are more cautious about liability—both cases existed. A contract for the architectural services based on HOAI and a separate contract for the new construction; the architect acted as both designer and site manager. Often, both were combined into a single fixed-price contract, where the architect was the typical general contractor.
ypg schrieb:Only if there is a single contract with the architect covering all necessary planning phases. Then the architect prepares the tenders, and the client (project owner) makes decisions based on the selection of finishes and pricing.
They handle the tendering for the trades, and so on.
Clients still select finishes themselves, right?
ypg schrieb:That—or nepotism—is very likely the case.
Inexpensive general contractors may not accommodate the client's wishes regarding technology, because the standard house Sabrina just works in that configuration with heating system X and window sizes so-and-so as a KfW 70 house. Changes mean additional effort, but who wants to pay for that?
ypg schrieb:You can’t change that at all…
Although Mr. Viebrockhaus would probably also have been upset if he was not allowed to install his super-duper technology that he promotes but had to use something else.
ypg schrieb:Only if it has been contractually agreed.
Do clients actually have the right to choose finishes? I don’t know what is specified in our scope of work… Is that fixed anywhere?
Regards, Bauexperte
Romy schrieb:
Hello everyone,
I hope you can give me some advice or tips.
We bought a house in shell condition and decided to have an architect handle the interior construction.
We have a budget x for the interior work, but there is no breakdown of what can/should/may cost what.This certainly does not correspond to the usual approach of an architect...
If it is still possible and if the construction is not too far advanced, I would consider changing.
It would be advisable to hire an interior architect or an architect with experience in interior construction.
In which state/province is the construction site located? Good luck