Hello,
Since April, we have been looking for a construction company to build a single-family house. Our plan was to first gather some quotes or cost estimates. After all, this is a decision that should be well considered. However, many of the companies we contacted either do not provide an offer, stop responding, or do not reply at all. This is starting to make us suspicious. We are not planning anything unusual. A simple single-family house of about 130m² (1400 sq ft), with an air source heat pump, living room, kitchen, toilet, and utility room on the ground floor, as well as a bedroom, children’s room, bathroom, and office on the upper floor.
For example, we had a conversation with a local construction company that ended with the statement that we would receive an offer. We then heard nothing from them for weeks. When we called, we were only told the manager was out of the office, would call back later, or similar excuses. When we finally reached him, he just postponed again until we gave up asking.
Another company wanted to schedule a meeting with us. After I suggested a date by email, we received no further response.
Another said they would call the next day to arrange a meeting, but never called.
Yet another asked us to call at the beginning of the week to set up a meeting, which we did. Suddenly, they became dismissive and said they could not estimate costs without a completed design from an architect hired by us, and that was the end of it.
What are we doing wrong? Isn’t it normal to present your ideas and get a rough idea of the costs or whether it is achievable within the desired budget? We are becoming quite desperate.
Since April, we have been looking for a construction company to build a single-family house. Our plan was to first gather some quotes or cost estimates. After all, this is a decision that should be well considered. However, many of the companies we contacted either do not provide an offer, stop responding, or do not reply at all. This is starting to make us suspicious. We are not planning anything unusual. A simple single-family house of about 130m² (1400 sq ft), with an air source heat pump, living room, kitchen, toilet, and utility room on the ground floor, as well as a bedroom, children’s room, bathroom, and office on the upper floor.
For example, we had a conversation with a local construction company that ended with the statement that we would receive an offer. We then heard nothing from them for weeks. When we called, we were only told the manager was out of the office, would call back later, or similar excuses. When we finally reached him, he just postponed again until we gave up asking.
Another company wanted to schedule a meeting with us. After I suggested a date by email, we received no further response.
Another said they would call the next day to arrange a meeting, but never called.
Yet another asked us to call at the beginning of the week to set up a meeting, which we did. Suddenly, they became dismissive and said they could not estimate costs without a completed design from an architect hired by us, and that was the end of it.
What are we doing wrong? Isn’t it normal to present your ideas and get a rough idea of the costs or whether it is achievable within the desired budget? We are becoming quite desperate.
Bauexperte schrieb:
Hello,
I wonder how you decided on your selection criteria when choosing a potential building partner?
There are providers who offer only their catalog homes at low prices; any deviation costs disproportionately more. Then there is the so-called cheap segment, where an apparent bargain often turns into a costly home once all the desired features are taken into account. Their focus is on low price; anything that deviates from this business purpose must be purchased at a high extra cost.
Then there are providers who don’t mind starting with a blank sheet of paper; that’s how we work as well. Structural calculations are only made after the building permit / planning permission without restrictions is granted. BUT – providers that work this way also have a different approach to engaging potential clients with their offer. In their brochures, you won’t find 180 mm (7 inches) insulation or 25 x 25 cm (10 x 10 inches) tiles; their prices reflect a midrange standard right from the start. Of course, there is always room to upgrade.
You mention that you have pretty specific ideas about the layout. Has a salesperson ever given feedback on this? Is this design – I assume you are not a professional – actually buildable? Have you indicated in previous conversations that you are willing to consider changes to your dream home? And fundamentally: did you communicate your ideas in a personal conversation, or did you just request an offer via e-mail? In the latter case, I can understand why you have not received any offers; I politely decline those. Preparing an offer just for comparison purposes is not worth the time; every offer requires explanation!
ACK
However, holding so little substance in your hands from April until mid-October is quite unusual and explains the reaction from users here.
Best regards, BauexperteWe found the first builder by visiting a model home (personal contact on-site). We came across the second because this company had built a house in our area (contact by phone). The next was a recommendation from a colleague of my husband (contact by phone). We found one provider online with whom we are in contact (contact by phone or e-mail, I don’t remember exactly). Then we also contacted a company recommended by a colleague of my sister (contact by e-mail). Finally, we contacted two local companies whose vehicles we often see around here (contact by phone).
Among these are local companies as well as those with nationwide distributors, including both providers selling standard model homes and those offering custom planning.
We had personal meetings. We always presented sketches, emphasizing that they were just personal drafts and could be changed.
I will now share the floor plan we roughly like. As mentioned, we are not fixed on it and are open to modification proposals from the builders. But one has to start with something.
B
Bauexperte14 Oct 2015 14:39NullVier schrieb:
I’ll share the floor plan that we would roughly like to have. Great!
Please take a look here first:
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/grundrissplanung-bitte-vor-Thread-Erstellung-lesen.11714/
This will save the helpers here from many follow-up questions.
Regards, Bauexperte
Bauexperte schrieb:
Great!
Then please check this first:
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/grundrissplanung-bitte-vor-Thread-Erstellung-lesen.11714/
This will save the helpful users here a lot of follow-up questions
Regards, BauexperteOh, okay, then I’d better post it tonight since I don’t have time to provide all the details right now. I’ll create a new thread and link to this one here, alright?
B
Bauexperte14 Oct 2015 15:35NullVier schrieb:
Then I’d better create a new thread and link it here, right?Yes, you can do that; just include the link to this discussion here as well.Regards, Bauexperte