ᐅ Is the architect’s quote complete? Is the price reasonable?

Created on: 22 Jun 2020 23:21
N
NeuerBauherr
Hello everyone,
we have been following the forum for some time now and are looking forward to your experiences, tips, and advice.

We are planning to build our dream home in 2021 and have already had discussions with several companies (prefabricated house suppliers, general contractors, architect). Since we would like to plan with an architect (design phases 1-4), we now have a concrete offer but are not sure if it really covers everything, especially concerning the costs.
We have created a rough floor plan/sketch ourselves and provided it to the architect.

Facts
Project: Single-family house + double garage (solid construction) – nothing fancy or exclusive...
Location: about 100km (60 miles) from Munich, should be in Lower Bavaria
Construction costs: approx. 400-450k excluding exterior work & additional construction costs

Scope of services by the architect
1. Building regulations
- Ordering site plan, conversion, etc.
- Clarifying framework conditions, including building size, heritage protection, local regulations, etc.

2. Preparation of preliminary and design drafts for about 360sqm (3880 sq ft) gross floor area (GFA)

3. Approval planning
- Preparation of approval drawings with corresponding entries (section, facade, drawing title block, site plan, floor plans, etc.)
- Preparation of necessary forms (building description, building permit/planning permission application, parking space certification)
- Calculations (floor area ratio, site coverage ratio, GFA, living space, cubic volume, and cost estimate)
- Cover letter to obtain neighbors’ signatures

- A detailed cost estimate according to DIN 276 is not included; the cost estimate is prepared based on cubic meters or square meter prices according to the BKI.
Energy consultant, fire safety consultant, and structural engineer must be commissioned separately according to the offer.

The offer amounts to 11,000 net plus VAT, based on HOAI. Incidental costs such as plan pauses, copies, and site plans will be reviewed and passed on.

I have the feeling that something might still be missing, or does this really cover design phases 1-4 to the extent that one can approach general contractors to request bids afterward? I often read about shop drawings, which are not mentioned in the offer. The same applies to the quantity survey, or have I misunderstood something?

Overall, we have a good feeling about the architect (the chemistry is right, etc.), but 11,000 net is quite a bit and differs from what we had planned (max. 10,000 including VAT). Since some prices mentioned are significantly different, we want to ask again to be 100% sure.

What are your opinions on this? We look forward to a lively discussion.
Best regards from the Bavarian countryside
11ant1 Jul 2020 15:45
NeuerBauherr schrieb:

Because the additional 15k for an architect is simply a ballpark figure that might otherwise be missing or used for higher quality fittings.

This attitude (that the architect’s fee is counterproductive to fulfilling the dream home) is, unfortunately, a common simplistic calculation. However, assuming you actually have a low-maintenance plot and very modest requirements: one alternative could be to purchase ready-made plans. In the prefabricated house sector, such options exist, though I can’t provide specific guidance here. In the former GDR, there was the EW 65.
hampshire schrieb:

Architects who only handle site supervision are regarded by architects themselves as particularly at risk health-wise.

Oh dear, yes, a nerve-wracking job. It’s almost like reverse cherry-picking when this part of the work is separated and delegated. The good old all-round generalist architect, on the other hand, manages this task without harm to their health: they shape the quality of their working environment by choosing their trusted craftsmen and only experience stress to a greater or lesser extent when integrating a new tradesperson into the team who still needs to find their rhythm.
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