Hello everyone,
I need your help again.
We are still looking for an architect, and I’m still unsure about the best way to approach this.
- Unfortunately, we have no recommendations from friends, acquaintances, or family.
- We have asked owners of houses we like that are currently being built or recently completed, but none of them worked with an architect; they handled the planning themselves.
I have now gathered some addresses, focusing on firms located near us. Their websites don’t provide much information, and none seem to specialize exclusively in single-family homes—most also offer commercial projects, and so on.
Should I simply call and arrange a non-binding consultation to find out whether they can deliver what we want and if the personal chemistry feels right? Should I contact three different ones to have a choice?
What if they design a draft that we don’t like at all?
Is it possible to agree upfront that the service will only involve planning and drawing the floor plan and nothing more? How are the costs for floor plan planning usually handled? So far, I understood that architects’ fees are calculated based on the construction budget. But how can costs be estimated if I only want the floor plan drawn? Whether I build it using more affordable or the most expensive materials doesn’t initially affect the floor plan itself.
I really have a thousand questions in my head and don’t know how to start.
I’ve already looked at hundreds of floor plans from providers offering turnkey builds online, but never found one that really fit.
We don’t want a super fancy design house with unusual architecture, but we do have a few specific requirements, which is why we’re considering working with a designer.
Does anyone have any tips for me?
I need your help again.
We are still looking for an architect, and I’m still unsure about the best way to approach this.
- Unfortunately, we have no recommendations from friends, acquaintances, or family.
- We have asked owners of houses we like that are currently being built or recently completed, but none of them worked with an architect; they handled the planning themselves.
I have now gathered some addresses, focusing on firms located near us. Their websites don’t provide much information, and none seem to specialize exclusively in single-family homes—most also offer commercial projects, and so on.
Should I simply call and arrange a non-binding consultation to find out whether they can deliver what we want and if the personal chemistry feels right? Should I contact three different ones to have a choice?
What if they design a draft that we don’t like at all?
Is it possible to agree upfront that the service will only involve planning and drawing the floor plan and nothing more? How are the costs for floor plan planning usually handled? So far, I understood that architects’ fees are calculated based on the construction budget. But how can costs be estimated if I only want the floor plan drawn? Whether I build it using more affordable or the most expensive materials doesn’t initially affect the floor plan itself.
I really have a thousand questions in my head and don’t know how to start.
I’ve already looked at hundreds of floor plans from providers offering turnkey builds online, but never found one that really fit.
We don’t want a super fancy design house with unusual architecture, but we do have a few specific requirements, which is why we’re considering working with a designer.
Does anyone have any tips for me?
W
Wanderdüne16 Nov 2014 18:12Panama17 schrieb:
What I’m still unclear about with the HOAI are the fee zones. How do I know what counts as low, medium, or high planning requirements? That remains somewhat vague even with the point system.
In single-family house projects, fee zone III is often applied at the minimum to maximum range; for example, if there is a swimming pool extending above the ground floor into the upper floor, the fee zone would be higher accordingly.
If you present your ideas, the architect can usually tell you directly how they would classify it.
Panama17 schrieb:
...The architects’ chamber websites... They are all a disaster. Almost no information, hardly any photos of reference projects. So how am I supposed to find out if I like their style?! Looks like I’ll just have to look for a name that fits me :-( . That’s unfortunate and, in my opinion, not very up-to-date.
Still, you have to start a selection process, even if it means doing it by phone.
B
Bauexperte16 Nov 2014 20:40Hello,
I think you are quite fixed regarding the selection of trades and craftsmen. Having an architect for the planning phase makes sense, but I would let the accompanying expert take care of the rest. For the trades in question (your husband’s veto), I wouldn’t even contact any other craftsmen but wouldn’t tell them this—since you can’t really judge the quality of the work and, as mentioned, you are quite set on your choices.
§ 5
Fee zones
(1) Structural and building design planning is assigned to the following fee zones:
1. Fee zone I: very low planning requirements,
2. Fee zone II: low planning requirements,
3. Fee zone III: average planning requirements,
4. Fee zone IV: high planning requirements,
5. Fee zone V: very high planning requirements.
(2) Area planning and technical equipment planning are assigned to the following fee zones:
1. Fee zone I: low planning requirements,
2. Fee zone II: average planning requirements,
3. Fee zone III: high planning requirements.
(3) The fee zones are determined based on the evaluation criteria in the fee regulations of the respective service descriptions in Parts 2 to 4. Assignment to the individual fee zones is made according to these criteria and, if applicable, evaluation points as well as considering the standard examples in the object lists annexed to this regulation.
Based on the information you’ve already shared, it will likely fall into fee zone III; whether on the lower or higher end depends on the architect.
Where are you planning to build?
Best regards,
Bauexperte
Panama17 schrieb:Yes and no.
Maybe it actually makes sense to let the architect handle everything (we could still partly specify the companies ourselves, right?) and additionally hire an independent expert to check if everything is proceeding correctly?
I think you are quite fixed regarding the selection of trades and craftsmen. Having an architect for the planning phase makes sense, but I would let the accompanying expert take care of the rest. For the trades in question (your husband’s veto), I wouldn’t even contact any other craftsmen but wouldn’t tell them this—since you can’t really judge the quality of the work and, as mentioned, you are quite set on your choices.
Panama17 schrieb:That is basically defined in the HOAI itself:
What I don’t yet understand about the HOAI is the fee zones. How do I know what counts as low, medium, or high planning requirements?
§ 5
Fee zones
(1) Structural and building design planning is assigned to the following fee zones:
1. Fee zone I: very low planning requirements,
2. Fee zone II: low planning requirements,
3. Fee zone III: average planning requirements,
4. Fee zone IV: high planning requirements,
5. Fee zone V: very high planning requirements.
(2) Area planning and technical equipment planning are assigned to the following fee zones:
1. Fee zone I: low planning requirements,
2. Fee zone II: average planning requirements,
3. Fee zone III: high planning requirements.
(3) The fee zones are determined based on the evaluation criteria in the fee regulations of the respective service descriptions in Parts 2 to 4. Assignment to the individual fee zones is made according to these criteria and, if applicable, evaluation points as well as considering the standard examples in the object lists annexed to this regulation.
Based on the information you’ve already shared, it will likely fall into fee zone III; whether on the lower or higher end depends on the architect.
Panama17 schrieb:No, you need to invest time, even if it might turn out to be wasted time; there is no other way, because only in a personal conversation will you find out whether the architect suits you or not.
… I guess I’ll have to see which name fits me :-( .
Where are you planning to build?
Best regards,
Bauexperte
So, I’ve now found two. I like the websites of both firms, they are located in our city, and have already planned/built several single-family houses in this area. I’m now waiting for callbacks and am curious when they will get back to me.
We want to build in Oberhausen Rheinland, probably best known to most for the Centro shopping center and the football club RWO.
If anyone has tips or recommendations, please feel free to share.
Thanks for the assessment!
We want to build in Oberhausen Rheinland, probably best known to most for the Centro shopping center and the football club RWO.
If anyone has tips or recommendations, please feel free to share.
Bauexperte schrieb:
Based on the information you have already provided, the fee will fall within fee zone III; whether it’s nearer the lower or upper end depends on the architect.
Thanks for the assessment!
So, that was quick. I received callbacks from both today, and we already have appointments scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday. I didn’t expect it to happen so fast. Both are familiar with the street where the plot is located, and one even knows the plot itself because he lives just around the corner.
So, we had our first meeting today.
The architect and his office seemed friendly, and he comes across as a down-to-earth person. He doesn’t seem like an “artist type” and didn’t start by telling us about all the impressive projects he has done.
He had the development plan on hand and had already driven by the plot.
Before letting us explain our ideas, he first went over costs and procedures. It seemed like he’s used to people sitting down with him who end up being shocked by the expenses involved.
He was quite positively surprised that I had already estimated construction costs of about €1,800–2,000 per square meter (approximately $1,940–2,160 per square yard) excluding landscaping and additional construction-related costs; he himself usually estimates €1,500–1,700.
He was also pleased that we hadn’t come with hand-drawn plans but had a detailed room program with our wishes included (for example, kitchen and living room facing the backyard; fireplace visible from both the dining table and the couch, etc.).
As for the process, he counts the initial meeting as a prospecting session. The next step would be for him to prepare a first draft including elevations and sections. He would charge a flat fee of €2,000 ($2,160) for this, which we would only have to pay if we decide not to hire him afterward. We find this fair.
Do you have any experience with this? Is this common? Is this fee too high?
The architect and his office seemed friendly, and he comes across as a down-to-earth person. He doesn’t seem like an “artist type” and didn’t start by telling us about all the impressive projects he has done.
He had the development plan on hand and had already driven by the plot.
Before letting us explain our ideas, he first went over costs and procedures. It seemed like he’s used to people sitting down with him who end up being shocked by the expenses involved.
He was quite positively surprised that I had already estimated construction costs of about €1,800–2,000 per square meter (approximately $1,940–2,160 per square yard) excluding landscaping and additional construction-related costs; he himself usually estimates €1,500–1,700.
He was also pleased that we hadn’t come with hand-drawn plans but had a detailed room program with our wishes included (for example, kitchen and living room facing the backyard; fireplace visible from both the dining table and the couch, etc.).
As for the process, he counts the initial meeting as a prospecting session. The next step would be for him to prepare a first draft including elevations and sections. He would charge a flat fee of €2,000 ($2,160) for this, which we would only have to pay if we decide not to hire him afterward. We find this fair.
Do you have any experience with this? Is this common? Is this fee too high?
W
Wanderdüne26 Nov 2014 22:33First of all: it certainly is not too much.
The key question is what scope this "initial draft" is supposed to have. In terms of cost, it could just about fit within the framework of HOAI service phases I and II, meaning it would be a preliminary design with a cost estimate that only provides a very rough direction. However, elevations and sections that go beyond a general sketch would probably exceed the scope of HOAI.
And what if the collaboration works well and could be productive, but the "first" design is not convincing? What then is payable?
By the way: which service is actually required as a basis for a planning permission / building permit?
Flat fees can work and be HOAI compliant, but things can also quickly become complicated.
The key question is what scope this "initial draft" is supposed to have. In terms of cost, it could just about fit within the framework of HOAI service phases I and II, meaning it would be a preliminary design with a cost estimate that only provides a very rough direction. However, elevations and sections that go beyond a general sketch would probably exceed the scope of HOAI.
And what if the collaboration works well and could be productive, but the "first" design is not convincing? What then is payable?
By the way: which service is actually required as a basis for a planning permission / building permit?
Flat fees can work and be HOAI compliant, but things can also quickly become complicated.
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