ᐅ Architect and General Contractor Combined?

KPS schrieb:
Well, let’s try to clarify the basic issue a bit ...

Is it going to be a solid construction house?

Yes – sorry – we want to build a solid construction house!
The plot is on a slope, which rules out most prefabricated components and building modules. So we will be building very individually... but can a general contractor (GC) not handle that as well?
I would have an architect create our individual design first, then during construction I would hire the GC as construction manager and also use our architect on an hourly basis as a construction supervisor... or would it be better to just use the architect for everything – basically having everything from design to construction management under one roof? Because the GC would want to earn something on top of that…???

Is this hybrid model that unusual?

Thanks & regards

ramade schrieb:


So we will be building very individually ... but can't a general contractor (GC) handle that as well?

Yes.

I would have an architect do our custom design first, then during construction I would hire the GC and appoint them as the construction manager, and also engage our architect hourly as a site supervisor ...

Including the detailed design, construction scheduling, coordination of trade services, etc.?

... or would it be better to just go with the architect for everything — basically having one source from design through construction management?

In my opinion, yes.
The architect should at least have a “say” in selecting the building partners!

Is this hybrid model rare?

I think so, since it’s not particularly favored by either architects or GCs.

Contacting and discussing the issues with both parties might help ... because it depends on individual philosophies, expertise, and experience! Also, reference projects can provide guidance.

KPS

Thank you for the reply!

Just a quick follow-up question for the expert – I had a detailed discussion with our preferred architect regarding general contractor (GC) / individual contract awarding.

Result: He seems to me to be a capable planner and construction manager (a lot of experience and good references), and he would manage the individual contract awarding with us and then take over the contracting and full construction management (in other words, all architectural services).

On the other hand, he also suggests the GC model with him involved... it would work like this: He would again provide the complete architectural services (planning, contract awarding, construction management as mentioned above), but would then like to bring a GC on board to handle the construction. He says a GC might be able to offer better terms than awarding individual trade contracts... is this true? Wouldn’t quality suffer because of that? The GC also needs to make a profit... Also, the architect would definitely have less work in this hybrid GC model compared to individual trade awarding – is he making his life easier with this approach? Especially, how is this compensated?

He proposed that we obtain quotes for both models... and of course, we would then make the decision – but what do the professionals say about this???

Thanks for the advice...
Ramade

Hello,

ramade schrieb:

On the other hand, he also suggests the general contractor (GC) model with him involved... it looks like this: He still takes care of the complete architectural services (design, tendering, construction supervision, as mentioned above) – but would then like to bring a GC on board to manage the construction. He says a GC could sometimes offer better conditions than contracting individual trades... is that true?

Usually, when the architect and the GC don’t know each other very well. However, building services are often somewhat neglected, especially the planning!

ramade schrieb:

Doesn’t that affect the quality?

On the construction side, usually no, since you hired the architect for that, but more and more often on the building services side.

ramade schrieb:

The GC wants to make a profit too...

Everyone involved in the construction does.

ramade schrieb:

Besides, the architect definitely has less to do than with individual trade contracts – isn’t this hybrid GC model making the architect’s life easier... and especially, how is this compensated?

Managing individual contracts and tenders, as well as comparing bids, also costs time and effort! The architect does not do this for free. So these services would simply be lost income for the architect!
Good luck

If a designer, contractor, or site manager is unable to professionally perform all required tasks themselves, relevant partial services must be delegated to specialist planners, skilled subcontractors, and qualified site supervisors.

However, quality requires adequate and sustainable pricing over time.

In today’s cost-cutting culture, there is a widespread misconception that things can work differently.

Quite often, supposed cost advantages turn into additional expenses for lawyers, experts, judges, and so on—without any resulting correction of potential construction defects.

Verifying references by contacting the respective clients could help prevent this.

It should be standard that everyone involved in the construction “knows each other well,” but with the shared goal of achieving the agreed-upon construction outcome.

KPS schrieb:
If a designer, builder, or construction manager cannot professionally execute all services themselves, the corresponding partial services must be delegated to specialized planners, specialized contractors, and specialized construction managers.

This is how it should be, but in practice, especially regarding building services engineering, the situation is different. In the single-family or two-family home sector, heating is mostly not calculated but estimated! However, system manufacturers know the key adjustments to make the heating system "work." Whether the system operates efficiently cannot be judged by the customer due to lack of comparison.

KPS schrieb:
Quality, in the long run, requires adequate pricing. In our bargain-hunting culture, the misconception is widespread that it can work differently.

Correct, but non-experts are hardly able to assess what is absolutely necessary and what might possibly be omitted. Existing conflicts of interest are not recognized, and contracts with system manufacturers are concluded without defining technical parameters. In more than 90% of heating systems in single-family or two-family homes, there are no calculation documents for heating load, heating surface dimensioning, pipe network, or pump selection.

KPS schrieb:
Quite often, supposed price advantages then turn into additional costs for lawyers, experts, judges, ... without resolving any actual construction defects.

If it even comes to that. Mostly, building services systems operate unnoticed by the owner over years (service life = 20–25 years) largely inefficiently.

Good luck