ᐅ Architect, General Contractor, and Independent Construction Manager – Does That Work Together?
Created on: 5 Mar 2018 20:19
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Peter LHello everyone,
We plan to build this year and originally wanted to manage the trades ourselves to save costs. Additionally, we have someone who will handle the design stages 1 to 3 according to HOAI, a structural engineer, someone for the energy certificate, and an expert consultant. However, finding a construction manager has become difficult.
Our conclusion now is that this approach is not really feasible and does not save money. If there is one person managing everything from phase 1 to 8, the effort is lower since, for example, the construction manager does not have to familiarize themselves with the documents separately. There is also the issue of liability. Either way, everyone wants to be paid, so it doesn’t become cheaper. Moreover, I cannot find a construction manager who would only handle site supervision, as most construction managers are either architects or general contractors (GCs) who naturally want to manage the other phases as well.
So, splitting the phases among several people is no longer an option. Of course, you could work with two parties; for example, an architect plus a structural engineer if you have one in the family who can handle the static calculations. But the way we initially planned it is difficult to realize.
Question 1: Do you agree with this?
That leaves either an independent architect or a general contractor. We have received an offer from a GC who provided a very transparent breakdown. Planning costs are estimated at 10,000 euros (approximately 11,000 USD), and site supervision also at 10,000 euros (approximately 11,000 USD). Architects bill according to HOAI, and their costs are almost the same—maybe about 5,000 euros (about 5,500 USD) more. The advantage is that an architect typically does not work with fixed companies like a GC and would act more in our interest during site management.
I have also read a lot, and the general opinion is that architects are too expensive while GCs are more cost-effective. I have not found this to be true, and even after researching, many of these claims seem to be myths.
Question 2: What is your opinion? Would you prefer to hire an independent architect or a general contractor?
We plan to build this year and originally wanted to manage the trades ourselves to save costs. Additionally, we have someone who will handle the design stages 1 to 3 according to HOAI, a structural engineer, someone for the energy certificate, and an expert consultant. However, finding a construction manager has become difficult.
Our conclusion now is that this approach is not really feasible and does not save money. If there is one person managing everything from phase 1 to 8, the effort is lower since, for example, the construction manager does not have to familiarize themselves with the documents separately. There is also the issue of liability. Either way, everyone wants to be paid, so it doesn’t become cheaper. Moreover, I cannot find a construction manager who would only handle site supervision, as most construction managers are either architects or general contractors (GCs) who naturally want to manage the other phases as well.
So, splitting the phases among several people is no longer an option. Of course, you could work with two parties; for example, an architect plus a structural engineer if you have one in the family who can handle the static calculations. But the way we initially planned it is difficult to realize.
Question 1: Do you agree with this?
That leaves either an independent architect or a general contractor. We have received an offer from a GC who provided a very transparent breakdown. Planning costs are estimated at 10,000 euros (approximately 11,000 USD), and site supervision also at 10,000 euros (approximately 11,000 USD). Architects bill according to HOAI, and their costs are almost the same—maybe about 5,000 euros (about 5,500 USD) more. The advantage is that an architect typically does not work with fixed companies like a GC and would act more in our interest during site management.
I have also read a lot, and the general opinion is that architects are too expensive while GCs are more cost-effective. I have not found this to be true, and even after researching, many of these claims seem to be myths.
Question 2: What is your opinion? Would you prefer to hire an independent architect or a general contractor?
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