ᐅ Are the items in these sample centers really overpriced?

I read this online. It was often mentioned that the items in these selection centers are overpriced. Would it be cheaper to choose the materials elsewhere? What are your experiences? We are considering buying a new Okal house. Thanks and best regards

Unfortunately, that’s just how it is... This is where the money is made, which one might have been hesitant to ask for during the initial bidding process... but here, you can charge extra without consequences. You would have been out of luck with a provider that has its own selection center... unless you choose a different construction solution.

Companies will claim that they can only offer samples of these items... or if you were to provide alternatives yourself, the additional cost would be just as high. The only option left is to forego everything that falls outside the standard specifications.

With that in mind... good luck with the Okal house.

I agree with BauLine. If you want to find out how much your house could cost with your chosen fittings, just search for construction prices, etc. By now, some portals have appeared that deal with this topic. Of course, you can have your construction specification calculated according to your needs, for example by Okal Haus.
Best regards
Claudius

Hello,

ichwillbaldbaue schrieb:
I read this online. It was often mentioned that the products in these selection centers are overpriced. Would it be cheaper to choose items elsewhere? What are your experiences? We are considering buying a new Okal house.

BauLine has already explained most of it, but perhaps the following:

OKAL, followed by Allkauf House and Massa House, belong to the Deutsche Fertighaus Holding Group; until about a year ago, Okal House was a high-priced provider, as was sometimes Allkauf House. Apart from the fact that a prefabricated house – especially one that is seriously calculated – will always be (and should be) more expensive, I am increasingly noticing that they have probably lowered their listed prices. This would suggest that BauLine’s assumption about selection centers is not entirely wrong, since the calculation has to add up in the end.

If you decide on Okal House, you will most likely have to select from their designated selection center. Keep in mind that making all your selections in one day is an enormous effort and can be stressful; plan enough time and ensure your children, if any, are well taken care of. Another tip: insist that for each trade/package, you are shown the “standard” options first (in my opinion, it is legitimate for external suppliers to want a larger share of the profit); standardized contractual components are not necessarily the worst choice in advance. If the selection does not suit you, you can always purchase upgrades later or have some trades – probably plumbing and tiling here – carried out locally. I doubt that Okal House will let you choose products from sources you find yourself and then install them.

Best regards

Today, the Okal consultant visited us. We went through the cost breakdown together. I found it positive that we can go to the material selection appointment even without signing a contract. The consultant will accompany us. After that, we will revise the cost plan together.

We have already received a list of additional construction costs.

Bauexperte schrieb:
If you decide on Okal, you will probably have to choose at their designated selection center.

Yes, that’s what I assumed.

Bauexperte schrieb:
Keep in mind that completing the material selection in a single day is very demanding and stressful; plan enough time and make sure your children — if you have any — are well cared for.

Our consultant even suggested two days. The children will be well looked after during that time.

Bauexperte schrieb:
Another tip: insist that for each trade you are first shown the “standard” options (in my opinion, it’s legitimate that external suppliers want to increase their share of the budget); standardized contract components are not automatically the worst choice. If you don’t like what you see, you can always purchase upgrades later or carry out certain trades yourself — probably plumbing and tiling here. I doubt Okal will allow you to select your own suppliers and install products sourced independently.

That is a very good tip which we will definitely keep in mind. Thank you.

Bauexperte schrieb:
Okal, followed by Allkauf Haus and Massa Haus, belong to the Deutsche Fertighaus Holding group; until about a year ago, Okal Häuser was a very high-priced provider.

We spoke to various prefabricated house consultants at a model home exhibition; for example, Weberhaus and Bodenseehaus seemed much more expensive to us.

So we are leaning strongly toward Okal Häuser since they have building lots available in the area we prefer. We haven’t signed anything yet. The consultant is already working with us on the floor plan, has provided cost estimates, and has been here three times now. We like the floor plan so far. He seems professional, at least for now, but we will see. It’s not over yet.

Yesterday, we went for the sample selection. Not for the full two days, but just to take an initial look and see if we could find suitable options in the standard range. And what can I say:
We were pleasantly surprised. The people were really nice, and we could see that the products are branded. We will definitely find what we need in the standard range, that much is certain.
I’m not sure if the same items are available on the open market at this price level, as I haven’t checked that yet.
Best regards