ᐅ Architect’s Proposal for Phase 0 (Pre-Design)

Hello,

I have received a quote from an architect with the following details:
“The client plans to build a new bungalow with a living area of 75 m² (807 ft²) and requests an initial design concept (sketches) along with a preliminary cost estimate. A fee for this service (performance phase 0) is necessary.
Furthermore, it is agreed in writing that if the planning services continue through to the building permit application (performance phases 1-4), the agreed fee for performance phase 0 will be credited.”
The quoted amount is 4,000 euros net.
Is this amount reasonable and understandable?
Sorry if this is a basic question, but this is my first construction project…
Good luck

Newbee-BW schrieb:

I have received an offer from an architect with the following content: "The client is planning the construction of a new bungalow with a living area of 75 m² (807.3 ft²) and requests an initial design draft (sketches) along with a preliminary cost estimate. A fee is required for this service (service phase 0). Furthermore, it is agreed in writing: in case the planning services are continued up to the building permit application (service phases 1-4), the agreed fee for service phase 0 will be credited." The offer amount is 4,000 euros net.

There is no official service phase 0; the architect apparently uses this term for your special request. You can find my explanations across several posts here as to why the scope of services "service phases 1 to 4" is not advisable. Moreover, you can sometimes obtain planning services covering "service phases 1 to 3" from discount architects for a thousand euros less. Do you even own a plot of land? Otherwise, every cent spent on planning is wasted money—or are you on the same path as @Ottowillswisse https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/neubau-fuer-900eur-pro-m2-bauen-moeglich.48032/ or https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/einfamilienhaus-von-danwood-family-konfigurator.48431/?

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@11ant could you please link me to a thread where you explain the issues related to project phases 1-4? I already have a plot of land. I’m not sure where Otto is heading with this, but I’m still very early in the process, which is why I’m asking the architect.

I have a clear idea of how the house could look and even a desired floor plan in mind, but many parameters are still unclear to me, for example, whether to choose a solid construction or timber frame, which heating system to use, whether KfW 40 is necessary or if KfW 55 is sufficient (which probably also affects the heating technology), and so on. Right now, I’m not sure what I need to make informed decisions here. I would have liked to get advice to find out what suits me and my budget, so that I could then request detailed quotes from 3-4 providers. I have no preference regarding the construction method (timber or solid build); it depends on the overall package and ultimately the price. And of course, I have already contacted a few prefab house companies just to see how things work and who can roughly offer something within my budget. It was quite interesting to read the different scopes of work description ;-) The house won’t be big, and the first thing I noticed was that all offered air-to-water heat pumps are oversized. However, I don’t really know what impact this has, other than me probably paying too much. As a layperson, it’s really difficult to evaluate all this…

I cannot contribute anything regarding the issue of project phases 1-4.
I assume he refers to sketches and rough cost estimates as phase 0?

But do you really mean 75 sqm (807 sq ft)?
You know that errors can happen with technical areas and storage space, right? Even Danwood starts at 86 sqm (925 sq ft)...
Since there is hardly any flexibility in the floor plan at this size (I assume you have a room program that totals a net 75 sqm (807 sq ft) for yourself?),
I would base my plans on standard model homes and their providers, or take a floor plan to a local builder. Okay, that’s where you are right now.
By the way, a smaller house is comparatively more expensive than a larger one.

I lived for many years in a single-family house with 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft) for three people. Currently, I’m renting an apartment with 67 sqm (720 sq ft), which is a great size – but I really miss having a small garden, a terrace, and a carport.
The apartment includes a guest toilet that I find unnecessary, and the storage room is a bit too small because of that. So, I drew some floor plans, and theoretically, I could manage very well with 75 sqm (807 sq ft). I don’t have a detailed room program yet, but that’s a great tip, and I will work on it next – thank you. What do you mean by standard house types?

Newbee-BW schrieb:

I don’t have a proper room layout yet,

That should be the starting point before sketching anything. What do I have? What do I need? What do I want? How can I best achieve that? How much money is necessary to get what I need, and how can I optimize both finances and the house design?

Newbee-BW schrieb:

What do you mean by production homes?

These are houses that were designed years ago by an architect to target a specific group of buyers. The plans exist and can usually be modified to fit a particular plot, although the overall character of the house remains.
General contractors like Viebrockhaus, Heinz von Heiden, TeamMassiv, Scanhaus, Okal Haus, Danwood, Danhaus, Schwörerhaus, and Weberhaus offer production homes.
They also offer smaller houses, starting from the smallest size where it is economically viable and a market exists. If you look at Danwood’s Model 86, I wonder where you could save more square meters: it’s not oversized, but has sufficient dimensions to accommodate standard furniture. It cannot be any smaller.