ᐅ External construction manager wanted

A warm hello to everyone,

Our house is being built by a general contractor. The plans and everything else look good. The contract has not been signed yet.

We would like to hire an external site manager as a risk precaution, to review the contract and later to supervise the construction process.

Google offers many suggestions, but it is difficult for me to assess their quality.

From the perspective of construction professionals, where is the best place to find a reliable person to take on this important role?

Region Mainz/Alzey
Thank you all
JoS

Hello JoS,

JoS schrieb:
Where can I best find, from the perspective of construction professionals, the person who reliably takes on this essential part?

For this, the websites of the chambers of architects, DEKRA, and TÜV are good places to start. Another useful option is bvs-ev – a search on this site for the Mainz area yielded 15 results.

If you want a personal recommendation, you can visit nearby new residential developments and ask local homeowners about their experiences with external construction supervision.

Kind regards

Hello construction expert,

Thank you very much for the quick response and the link.

Bauexperte schrieb:
Hello JoS,

If you want a personal recommendation, you can visit the new development areas around you and ask the homeowners there about their experiences with external building supervision.

Best regards

I have already done this with growing “pleasure.” One is suspected of being too closely connected to the general contractor, another is, to quote, a “nitpicker” who made cooperation between the homeowner and developer impossible... and so on. My general contractor likes the idea of involving an external supervisor. What would their fee be for a construction budget of around 350,000€ (approximately 350,000 USD)?

It seems this also has a lot to do with gut feeling.

By the way, I have been following this forum and your posts for a few days now.

I have two small points that don’t fully satisfy me.
We are building a two-family house with a total living area of 217 sqm (2,335 sq ft). Included in the base price are low-temperature convectors. We want two separate underfloor heating systems; this is supposed to cost about 16,500€ (approx. $16,500) extra? I personally don’t believe at all in cavity insulation without ventilation; we prefer a roof insulation system, Bauder PIR 160 mm (6.3 inches). The additional cost given is 18,500€ (approx. $18,500). Are these really realistic prices? Or are these figures just meant to discourage?

What does your expertise say about this?

Hello JoS,

JoS schrieb:
I have already done that with growing "pleasure."

Mother Nature has created a colorful garden; many plants can find their place there.

JoS schrieb:
We want two separate underfloor heating systems; that’s supposed to cost around €16,500 more?

In connection with a two-family house, it’s usually not a matter of _wanting_; what if one part is going to be rented out? Separate systems clearly have the advantage there. The five-figure extra cost is, in my opinion, about 10% too high, but realistically I can’t give you a reliable answer since every supplier calculates differently.

JoS schrieb:
I personally think nothing of cavity insulation without ventilation; we prefer a roof insulation system Bauder PIR 160mm. The mentioned extra cost is €18,500. Are those really realistic figures? What is your expert opinion?

Thanks for the compliment—my expertise ends here, as I’m not familiar with the mentioned system. To me, it personally seems quite expensive, but the price is probably justified because the product needs to be imported from Austria and, in my opinion, has relatively low sales volume. I would use 240mm (9.5 inches) mineral wool mats with a vapor retarder, then cover with drywall, and that’s it; this meets the current energy-saving regulations as well as future ones.

Kind regards

Bauexperte schrieb:

Thanks for the compliment – my expertise ends here, as I’m not familiar with the mentioned system. Personally, I would find it quite expensive, but the price is probably justified since the product has to be imported from Austria and, in my opinion, has lower sales volume. I would use 240 mm (9.5 inches) mineral wool batts with a vapor retarder, then cover it with drywall and be done; this meets the requirements of the current energy-saving regulations as well as future ones.

Best regards

I don’t like mineral wool and, especially, I’m a bit concerned about the effect caused if the foil gets a tiny little hole during installation. Then my insulation and my wood could become quite damp. But that’s just a personal preference.

Thanks in advance.

Uhm, just a quick question – “Is it possible that a post I write is being edited in an editorial way?”

I definitely do not want to promote any specific manufacturer. I only included the link so that people can get an idea of a completely different insulation system for roof insulation.

I also did not intend to personally defame anyone, so why and who? Feel free to message me privately.

Thank you