Hello everyone,
we are currently planning our single-family house with our architect. So far, we have felt confident. Although the architect was aware of our budget limit from the beginning, the latest cost estimate still came out higher than expected. What really makes me uneasy and worried is, for example, that he quotes only €4000 for the structural engineering including thermal insulation. All the structural engineers we asked charge according to HOAI and demand around €10,000. It seems the architect is not familiar with the actual prices.
What can we do about this? I hope the rest of the cost estimate is accurate, at least for the shell construction. I’m really concerned. What would you advise? Getting a second opinion? Or switching architects?
we are currently planning our single-family house with our architect. So far, we have felt confident. Although the architect was aware of our budget limit from the beginning, the latest cost estimate still came out higher than expected. What really makes me uneasy and worried is, for example, that he quotes only €4000 for the structural engineering including thermal insulation. All the structural engineers we asked charge according to HOAI and demand around €10,000. It seems the architect is not familiar with the actual prices.
What can we do about this? I hope the rest of the cost estimate is accurate, at least for the shell construction. I’m really concerned. What would you advise? Getting a second opinion? Or switching architects?
B
Bauexperte30 Jan 2014 11:16Hello,
That’s really a lot, and I’m surprised that you want/are allowed to insert electrical work between the trades; or that the craftsmen will tolerate this. Be careful with the contracts regarding liability, warranty, and acceptance; I’m fairly certain the trades involved will protect themselves.
I also doubt that 220,000 euros will be enough in the end, if you don’t mind me saying so. Still, I wish you good luck and success, and keep a reserve for extras and unforeseen costs.
Regards, Bauexperte
KayLinus schrieb:You know what they say in the Rhineland? "Believing" is something you do in church; that’s what it’s for
Let’s hope everything works out as planned...
KayLinus schrieb:Once is more than enough
Thanks again for all the effort
KayLinus schrieb:I’ve had my own experiences with "eager" fathers-in-law. If your father-in-law fits that description even a little, I already feel sorry for the supervising construction manager.
We will take care of the following tasks in EL:
Building the entire garage
Carpentry work
Installation of windows and doors
Partial electrical work
Laying the flooring
Interior and exterior insulation
We have scaffolding within the family
It’s obviously a lot, and I believe it is, but we have an eager father-in-law who doesn’t have much to do...
The estimate is around 220,000 euros
That’s really a lot, and I’m surprised that you want/are allowed to insert electrical work between the trades; or that the craftsmen will tolerate this. Be careful with the contracts regarding liability, warranty, and acceptance; I’m fairly certain the trades involved will protect themselves.
I also doubt that 220,000 euros will be enough in the end, if you don’t mind me saying so. Still, I wish you good luck and success, and keep a reserve for extras and unforeseen costs.
Regards, Bauexperte
Bauexperte schrieb:
I’ve had my own experiences with “enthusiastic” fathers-in-law. If your father-in-law fits that profile even slightly, I already feel sorry for the site manager who will be dealing with him. Don’t worry, he is very easygoing. But I think I might clash a bit myself, since I come from toolmaking and am quite meticulous...
Bauexperte schrieb:
That’s really a lot, and I’m surprised that you want/are allowed to install the electrical work “between” other trades; or that the craftsmen accept this. Watch out for the contracts regarding liability/warranty/acceptance; I’m fairly sure the involved trades will protect themselves there. The tendering process is only just starting... Let’s see what the individual craftsmen say about it.
Bauexperte schrieb:
I doubt the electrical work alone will be enough to end up “only” around €22,000 on the clock, if you don’t mind me saying. Why would I be upset? I asked here to get another opinion.
One more thing: do you actually think the garage will cost around €50,000?
B
Bauexperte30 Jan 2014 11:27Hello Kay,
Best regards, Bauexperte
KayLinus schrieb:Oh dear – if you are a mechanical engineer, remember that a "µ" is not the smallest unit of measurement in construction, and a wall is, if in doubt, not "crooked" but "tilted."
But I think I’ll also cause some friction, since I come from toolmaking and am very meticulous...
KayLinus schrieb:That’s not a small item! I included it at around €45,000 all in and was still very cautious.
One more thing. Do you actually think the garage costs around €50,000?
Best regards, Bauexperte
Yes, exactly, construction expert,
Mechanical engineering and industrial engineering background.
Just not a professional in construction...
I also decided to only walk around in the evenings after work with a spirit level and measuring device. Don’t want to bother the guys too much.
For example, we also asked the architect about plaster and screed if he knows companies that work at his price. He showed us invoices from them, and it matched. We are actually looking forward to it, just this uncertainty about the costs...
Mechanical engineering and industrial engineering background.
Just not a professional in construction...
I also decided to only walk around in the evenings after work with a spirit level and measuring device. Don’t want to bother the guys too much.
For example, we also asked the architect about plaster and screed if he knows companies that work at his price. He showed us invoices from them, and it matched. We are actually looking forward to it, just this uncertainty about the costs...