ᐅ Communication with architects?

Hello,

I wanted to ask what is common practice. Here’s the situation: We would like to hire an architect for our house. We like him and he has already done some preliminary work without having a contract. Naturally, he would now like to have a contract and brought it to us last Monday. I had a few questions about it, which I sent to him before the weekend, along with the newly revised floor plans. Unfortunately, we still haven’t received any feedback.

What is normal in the industry? I would like to work with him, but not getting any response is somewhat frustrating...

Roger

On Monday, he brought you the contract, just before the weekend, so 4.5 working days later you sent him a response, and today, after 2 working days, you are frustrated that you haven’t received an answer?

Personally, I would always give the professional at least twice as much time as I need, since he obviously has more projects on his plate than you 🙂

Hello,

I need to revisit this old thread:

Current status:

Planning is underway, the building permit / planning permission application has been prepared and submitted, and part of it has been approved. What was not approved is a long roof of a carport built on the boundary line – an idea from the architect. It could indeed look good, but it doesn’t fully comply with the regulations. (Facade area >25 sqm (269 sq ft))

Okay, anyway, now we are at the point where the architect has sent out a tender for the shell construction. I also received a copy of it. Unfortunately, I find some “errors” again in it. For example, I am building to KfW 75 standard, but the tender specifies KfW 40, which is not achievable with the masonry blocks specified. He decided to make the foundation slab a so-called Swedish slab – or not really, because the underfloor heating, which is usually included in a Swedish slab at least according to my research, is missing. Whether I want it this way or not was not discussed. The tender also states that I am building in a flood zone and need a waterproof concrete tank (“white tank”). Umm...? I am building on a slope, and only 2 of my 4 basement walls are concrete, the others have windows... If there were flooding here, the whole valley would already be underwater. The hill above me is still 2-3 m (7-10 ft) higher, the rest is below me.

Even before, many things have happened where I just have a bad gut feeling about whether everything is right. But after the tender, I really feel uncertain now.

How do I recognize a competent architect and how do I know when I should look for another one?

By the way, an additional question: We submitted the building permit / planning permission with a floor plan based on 36.5 cm (14 in) deep masonry blocks (T8). He does see the option of building the house with 42 cm (17 in) blocks and just increasing the floor plan by 12 cm (5 in) in every direction. I wanted to clarify the price difference beforehand, but he postponed that until the tender phase. Is it acceptable to handle it the way he does or not?

Regards
Roger

Have the specifications shown to you before providing any details. This way, you can discuss such matters with your architect in advance, rather than only after it's too late. I can’t judge whether what the architect does is correct in terms of content.

Hello,

Shadowblues schrieb:
... - Architect’s idea. It might look really good, but it just doesn’t fully comply with the regulations...

That is then his responsibility.

Shadowblues schrieb:
... For example, I am building to KfW 75 standard, but the tender specifies KfW 40, ...

KfW 75 is not eligible for funding applications! If KfW 70 is not achieved, the building meets the Energy Saving Ordinance standard with primary energy results between the ordinance’s standard requirements and KfW 70.
A higher primary energy standard, such as KfW 40, is associated with significantly higher costs and a completely different technical system. The architect cannot just change this at their own discretion.
Whether a “Swedish slab” is truly the best option is certainly open to debate!

Shadowblues schrieb:
... How can I recognize a competent architect and how can I tell if I should look for another one? ...

For example, through communication. The successful completion of a construction project depends on the trust relationship between the client (employer) and the architect (contractor).
If this relationship is identified as impaired, one should consider changing before larger problems arise, which however is not always easy (due to existing contracts).
The areas of heating, domestic hot water preparation, and possibly ventilation should be reviewed very critically. Here, there is often a lack of solid preliminary assessment as well as precise planning and sizing. Often this issue is delegated to the installer under the mantra “Just build a heating system.”
The client usually ends up bearing the consequences later in the form of excessive consumption and/or investment costs. Post-corrections are then hardly feasible without disproportionate effort.

Shadowblues schrieb:
... He does see the option to build the house with 42cm (16.5 inches) blocks and simply increase the floor plan by 12cm (5 inches) in every direction ...

This option always exists as long as foundation work has not yet started. However, the building permit / planning permission must be amended since the external dimensions will likely change. Structural engineering, fire protection, and sound insulation may also be affected.

Shadowblues schrieb:
... I wanted to know the price difference in advance, but he deferred me to the tender phase. Is it acceptable to approach it as he does or not? ...

It is acceptable, but an experienced architect should be able to provide an initial estimate beforehand.

Kind regards,

NB:
All agreements should be documented in writing and signed by all parties! Nowadays, quick communication by phone is common. Much gets forgotten and later it becomes impossible to provide proof!