ᐅ Comparability of Costs: Architect vs. General Contractor
Created on: 4 Mar 2021 16:57
A
askforafriend
Hello dear forum,
We are currently in the planning phase for a single-family house. We have requested quotes from several general contractors and have also spoken with a very approachable architect. We would be happy to present our building project (BVH) in detail at a later stage!
Overall, we much prefer the transparency and approach of the architect compared to the initial consultation with the general contractor. We understand that over time, we will also speak with an architect/planner through the general contractor who will discuss details with us. We have thoroughly researched the advantages and disadvantages both in this forum and through various guides.
At this stage, our main focus is on comparing the cost estimates from the general contractors versus the architect. The general contractor states the costs as a fixed price (based on the building and scope of services description) plus our additional requests (extra electrical outlets, KfW standard, etc.). A rough total for the house including additional requests was, for example, 410,000 euros. This naturally also includes architectural/planning/engineering services according to the scope of work description.
Land leveling.
Discussions about your building project together with you during planning and construction meetings. Preparation of building permit/planning permission documents at a scale of 1:100 in the required number of copies for the authorities.
You will receive an additional set of plans for your personal records.
Development of working drawings (scale 1:50) as well as any necessary detailed drawings.
Creation of structural engineering plans (standard structural design for the respective house type) including any required building physics reports for thermal and fire protection.
Calculation of energy demand and preparation of the energy performance certificate. A copy will be provided for your records.
Preparation of public funding applications, if required.
Site management and construction supervision up to handover of the house.
Support during the warranty period.
When we first met with the architect, he took out a book labeled BKI to provide a rough estimate of the feasibility of the building project based on this data. He calculated roughly 3,000 euros per square meter and 150 square meters (1,615 square feet) of living space, resulting in a total of 450,000 euros.
The big question now is: Does this amount exclude his fees or do these average construction costs per square meter already include the services mentioned above? This might be a somewhat naive question, but it’s really unclear to us. Is there a list of costs that are included in these average rates?
We have an appointment with him next week for a more detailed cost assessment.
Thank you very much for your feedback, and I wish you a pleasant week.
We are currently in the planning phase for a single-family house. We have requested quotes from several general contractors and have also spoken with a very approachable architect. We would be happy to present our building project (BVH) in detail at a later stage!
Overall, we much prefer the transparency and approach of the architect compared to the initial consultation with the general contractor. We understand that over time, we will also speak with an architect/planner through the general contractor who will discuss details with us. We have thoroughly researched the advantages and disadvantages both in this forum and through various guides.
At this stage, our main focus is on comparing the cost estimates from the general contractors versus the architect. The general contractor states the costs as a fixed price (based on the building and scope of services description) plus our additional requests (extra electrical outlets, KfW standard, etc.). A rough total for the house including additional requests was, for example, 410,000 euros. This naturally also includes architectural/planning/engineering services according to the scope of work description.
Land leveling.
Discussions about your building project together with you during planning and construction meetings. Preparation of building permit/planning permission documents at a scale of 1:100 in the required number of copies for the authorities.
You will receive an additional set of plans for your personal records.
Development of working drawings (scale 1:50) as well as any necessary detailed drawings.
Creation of structural engineering plans (standard structural design for the respective house type) including any required building physics reports for thermal and fire protection.
Calculation of energy demand and preparation of the energy performance certificate. A copy will be provided for your records.
Preparation of public funding applications, if required.
Site management and construction supervision up to handover of the house.
Support during the warranty period.
When we first met with the architect, he took out a book labeled BKI to provide a rough estimate of the feasibility of the building project based on this data. He calculated roughly 3,000 euros per square meter and 150 square meters (1,615 square feet) of living space, resulting in a total of 450,000 euros.
The big question now is: Does this amount exclude his fees or do these average construction costs per square meter already include the services mentioned above? This might be a somewhat naive question, but it’s really unclear to us. Is there a list of costs that are included in these average rates?
We have an appointment with him next week for a more detailed cost assessment.
Thank you very much for your feedback, and I wish you a pleasant week.
askforafriend11 Mar 2021 17:39ypg schrieb:
It may be that the original poster, according to the building specifications, has a price of 330,000 including the basement, but during discussions—“I want this, I want that,” such as controlled ventilation, larger hot water storage tank, different heating system, better energy efficiency rating (KfW), etc., plus a double garage and top-quality roller shutters—the list of additional construction costs presented by the general contractor ultimately adds up to 439,000.
That’s how it was—standard catalog house, basic specifications for 330k including the basement. Additional costs then included KfW 55 standard, concrete staircase, lift-and-slide door elements, ventilation system, raised ceilings, underfloor heating in the basement, and so on.
That’s why there is some confusion in comparisons—you have catalog prices, and logically you could just take the exact house as offered, and then that’s how it is. If you are lucky (like some previous posters) that this also matches what you want—then jackpot 😀 😉
The architect also said that houses with medium to high-end features simply don’t cost only 2,500 euros per square meter more—that’s why the estimate is 3,000 euros per square meter. If you take the 330k catalog house as is, then it’s solid standard (this was about 150 square meters (1,615 square feet), so around 2,200 euros per square meter)—but not “state of the art,” since it lacks KfW standard, ventilation system, underfloor heating in the basement, higher ceilings, and so forth.
We remain curious to see the full breakdown 😉
What does KfW standard mean? The Energy Saving Ordinance is met by every standard house; otherwise, it would not be approved. Proof of compliance by an energy engineer is part of the building permit / planning permission application.
What does low ceilings mean? Rooms are supposed to have a ceiling height of 2.4 meters (7.9 feet), as far as I remember. Therefore, every building has sufficiently high ceilings.
What does FHZ in the basement mean? For many of us, a basement is not necessary at all, and if there is one, it is not necessarily heated or only heated with radiators, since it is not meant for living purposes.
What does ventilation mean? A ventilation system is a nice-to-have, not a basic standard. The usual case is windows that can be opened.
Considering the numerous new buildings in our area, I am not willing to see your extras as state of the art. They are and remain extras. There will hardly be any building without additional wishes, but these are individual preferences.
What does low ceilings mean? Rooms are supposed to have a ceiling height of 2.4 meters (7.9 feet), as far as I remember. Therefore, every building has sufficiently high ceilings.
What does FHZ in the basement mean? For many of us, a basement is not necessary at all, and if there is one, it is not necessarily heated or only heated with radiators, since it is not meant for living purposes.
What does ventilation mean? A ventilation system is a nice-to-have, not a basic standard. The usual case is windows that can be opened.
Considering the numerous new buildings in our area, I am not willing to see your extras as state of the art. They are and remain extras. There will hardly be any building without additional wishes, but these are individual preferences.
Nordlys schrieb:
What do you mean by underfloor heating in the basement? For many of us, a basement is not necessary at all, and if there is one, it is usually not heated or only heated by radiators because it is not used as a living space. Regarding underfloor heating in the (non-living) basement, I can only make one general comment: "And in Africa, children are starving!" (oh no, wait, there’s a second one: "Empires as wealthy as Rome have always fallen due to decadence").
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
askforafriend schrieb:
That’s why there’s confusion when comparing –That’s why I write €2000 per square meter (about $215 per square foot) for absolute standard quality with plaster and very compact construction. Some people here criticize me for saying €2000, claiming I’m way too high. As if I were trying to annoy them or set the prices myself 🙄 But overall, they expect the whole extra package for less.
Nordlys schrieb:
The 2000 are unfortunately now the minimum.I am now estimating 2000 instead of 1800 in the north, and 2200 instead of 2000 in the south!Similar topics