ᐅ "Traditional" Approach to Selecting a Contractor – To-Do List
Created on: 29 Jul 2020 18:38
M
Mlt1402
Dear Forum,
Now that the ink on the notarized contract for the land purchase (in 64625 Bensheim) has dried, we visited the prefabricated house center in Mannheim for the first time and feel overwhelmed by all the options.
At first glance, we don’t see major differences between the providers—promotional videos and catalogs, of course, only show the positive aspects. On the other hand, you can find some negative comments and reviews online about almost every provider. Moreover, I find it risky to choose a supplier solely based on one consultant.
Without solid reasons, there were still a few prefabricated house manufacturers we felt “sympathetic” towards. These are Bien-Zenker, Weiss, Schwabenhaus, Bittermann and Weiss, Fingerhaus, Hanse, and Weberhaus.
In addition, there are two regional concrete (or masonry) builders we had good initial contact with.
The question we’re asking ourselves is: what is the best way to proceed now?
Should we narrow down our selection or even widen the circle? Should we have a consultation with every company? Should each company plan a house based on our wishes so we can make a meaningful price comparison?
We are at a loss.
Therefore, I hope to receive some tips from you. Is there an approach that has proven effective? How did you proceed?
I look forward to your input.
Best regards and have a pleasant evening
Now that the ink on the notarized contract for the land purchase (in 64625 Bensheim) has dried, we visited the prefabricated house center in Mannheim for the first time and feel overwhelmed by all the options.
At first glance, we don’t see major differences between the providers—promotional videos and catalogs, of course, only show the positive aspects. On the other hand, you can find some negative comments and reviews online about almost every provider. Moreover, I find it risky to choose a supplier solely based on one consultant.
Without solid reasons, there were still a few prefabricated house manufacturers we felt “sympathetic” towards. These are Bien-Zenker, Weiss, Schwabenhaus, Bittermann and Weiss, Fingerhaus, Hanse, and Weberhaus.
In addition, there are two regional concrete (or masonry) builders we had good initial contact with.
The question we’re asking ourselves is: what is the best way to proceed now?
Should we narrow down our selection or even widen the circle? Should we have a consultation with every company? Should each company plan a house based on our wishes so we can make a meaningful price comparison?
We are at a loss.
Therefore, I hope to receive some tips from you. Is there an approach that has proven effective? How did you proceed?
I look forward to your input.
Best regards and have a pleasant evening
hausnrplus2531 Jul 2020 20:58If I haven't missed it, no one has pointed out yet that a timber frame house is NOT just any timber frame house! The construction of the walls varies significantly in quality. You should take a close look at that.
Setting priorities, including the room layout, was also important to us.
You can only compare prices once you know all the details of the offers and are getting the price for the same house!
Setting priorities, including the room layout, was also important to us.
You can only compare prices once you know all the details of the offers and are getting the price for the same house!
Mlt1402 schrieb:
a few prefabricated house manufacturers we found "appealing." These are Bien-Zenker, Weiss, Schwabenhaus, Bittermann and Weiss, Fingerhaus, Hanse, and Weberhaus.
In addition, there are two regional solid construction companies with whom we had good initial contact. Honestly? On the surface, they all build the same mainstream style. But if you look closely, you can see differences in the scope of work and the standard features. Also, I can’t believe everyone’s gut feeling is the same. Please try to sense the difference!
Mlt1402 schrieb:
Should we narrow down our selection or even widen the circle? Should we have consultation meetings with every company? For heaven’s sake, don’t widen it.
Out of 1, 2, 3... 10 providers, you should be able to eliminate 6 to 7.
G
Grillhendl1 Aug 2020 08:46I think you’ll quickly realize in conversations what we are referring to here in the forum.
You don’t necessarily need to have ten different options on your list.
If everything fits perfectly with the first one, why look at nine others? Maybe two or three more...
The developer we ultimately built with was the first on our list. And they were actually our favorite right away, but we thought we shouldn’t just go with the “first option”… So we kept looking and comparing (always against the favorite offer)… well. It ended up being the first one anyway… In total, we requested offers from five, and three made it to the shortlist.
You don’t necessarily need to have ten different options on your list.
If everything fits perfectly with the first one, why look at nine others? Maybe two or three more...
The developer we ultimately built with was the first on our list. And they were actually our favorite right away, but we thought we shouldn’t just go with the “first option”… So we kept looking and comparing (always against the favorite offer)… well. It ended up being the first one anyway… In total, we requested offers from five, and three made it to the shortlist.
G
Grillhendl1 Aug 2020 09:01What I mean is: you approach a conversation with certain expectations. And usually, after just three or four sentences, you can tell whether it’s likely to work out or not.
Sometimes you can really sort them out after just 5 minutes. When I think of one salesperson who was so aggressive, or the one who smelled of alcohol, or the one who tried to convince us with tall doors instead of wide ones, or the one who treated you like a beggar, or the one who refuses to discuss prices because you supposedly have enough money otherwise you wouldn’t be here, and so on.
Then there are those who take their time, listen to you, and treat you with respect.
Then there are those who take their time, listen to you, and treat you with respect.