ᐅ Commissioning Phase 8 / Additional / Independent Expert – Is It Worthwhile?

Hello,

I am planning to commission my architect also for work phase 8, site supervision. Is it advisable to additionally become a member of, for example, a building owners’ protection association and to hire an independent expert to inspect the construction progress?

Regards
Aloadihoa

Hello,

Aloadihoa schrieb:

I am planning to commission my architect with service phase 8, the site supervision.

Why not hire an external expert right from the start?

Aloadihoa schrieb:

and pay an independent expert to approve the construction stages?

In my opinion, everyone should do what they do best. The architect designs floor plans adapted to the plot and handles the tender process, while an independent expert oversees the construction project objectively.

Just my two cents

Regards, Bauexperte

And what objections are there against the experts from the Homeowners' Protection Association?

Hello,

Aloadihoa schrieb:
And what is wrong with the experts from the Homeowners’ Protection Association?

For *me*, the Homeowners’ Protection Association is a catch-all for those who cannot establish themselves in the private sector. In my sales area, I know just one expert recommended through this association who genuinely knows their stuff and does a really good job. The others tend to hide behind lengthy "reports," where I often wonder whether they have even read the material they were supposed to inspect.

My experience was confirmed by a builder I recently worked with. For one of his latest construction projects, an expert was hired through this association; unsurprisingly, the expert found a minor issue to criticize. Unfortunately, he failed to provide his client with written documentation. So the builder, insecure and without professional support, stood at the shell of his building, knowing only "maybe," but not "exactly," what the expert had actually criticized.

When I asked further, the builder explained that it is "normal" for documentation—if it is provided at all—to be delivered with a significant delay. Interestingly, however, we share the same opinion about the expert mentioned at the start.

Every service has a corresponding fee “x”; I assume—without claiming absolute accuracy—that the root of the problem lies in the relatively low cost of hiring an expert through this association. The party who ultimately suffers from this practice is undoubtedly the homeowner; furthermore, it often leads to a strained relationship between the homeowner and the site manager. Freelance experts, particularly those recommended through the Association of Private Homeowners, operate completely differently, as they focus on supporting the construction project together rather than prioritizing their own ego.

Regards, Bauexperte

If you search online for Bauherren-Schutzbund and Verband Privater Bauherren, you will find both positive and negative experiences with each. The best approach is to ask both advisors for references in your area and then directly inquire about their experiences. Otherwise, any judgment might be too general.
Thanks anyway!