ᐅ Initial Consultation Appointment with the Prefabricated House Manufacturer
Created on: 19 Jun 2017 18:38
I
Illexchubby
Hello everyone,
My girlfriend and I have decided to fulfill our dream of owning a home. We chose to build a prefabricated house and have already provisionally reserved a plot of land that meets our location and price expectations.
Our plan was (and is) to sit down with prefab house manufacturers, show them our development plan and regulations, and then work together on possible floor plans that meet our individual wishes. We also hoped to get some initial quotes to help us plan and estimate the financing of the whole project.
It’s quite a rough approach for the beginning, I know, but this was primarily meant to help us decide for or against the reserved plot and, of course, to better estimate whether we can afford it.
Over the last few months, we have visited many model home parks and have narrowed down to 3-4 preferred manufacturers.
We recently scheduled our first appointment for a consultation. By the way, it was with a “top” manufacturer, at least according to recent reviews from sources like FocusMoney.
At the start of the meeting, the representative neither introduced herself nor her company in any way. It quickly became clear that the main purpose of the meeting was just to present us with an initial offer. We had sent our plot plan in advance, requesting a review and feedback regarding the location and orientation, but we received no response on that. When I asked about it, she just said she showed it to an architect, who did not see any issues. We flipped through some catalogs, and when I pointed out a floor plan that roughly matched our ideas, it was immediately noted for inclusion in the offer. Then she asked me which heating system I wanted. But who would know that at the first meeting? She then mentioned that for this size, about 160m² (1720 square feet) over two floors, it basically only makes sense to build to KfW55 standards and use an air-source heat pump. When I asked how flexible the floor plans could be, she said we would handle that with the architect later, when the time comes. However, it turned out that I can only see the architect if I sign a preliminary contract because, according to her, the planning involves high costs and the company needs a certain level of security. I also learned that this manufacturer does not have in-house architects but commissions them externally.
Is this the usual process? I feel like I can't buy a plot without at least a floor plan or rough draft, right? At the kitchen showroom, they design my kitchen for the space before I sign anything! I always thought you first look at the building site with the architect in person…
Am I mistaken? Is this just wishful thinking on my part? What can I realistically expect?
Thanks a lot for your answers.
Best regards,
Dennis
My girlfriend and I have decided to fulfill our dream of owning a home. We chose to build a prefabricated house and have already provisionally reserved a plot of land that meets our location and price expectations.
Our plan was (and is) to sit down with prefab house manufacturers, show them our development plan and regulations, and then work together on possible floor plans that meet our individual wishes. We also hoped to get some initial quotes to help us plan and estimate the financing of the whole project.
It’s quite a rough approach for the beginning, I know, but this was primarily meant to help us decide for or against the reserved plot and, of course, to better estimate whether we can afford it.
Over the last few months, we have visited many model home parks and have narrowed down to 3-4 preferred manufacturers.
We recently scheduled our first appointment for a consultation. By the way, it was with a “top” manufacturer, at least according to recent reviews from sources like FocusMoney.
At the start of the meeting, the representative neither introduced herself nor her company in any way. It quickly became clear that the main purpose of the meeting was just to present us with an initial offer. We had sent our plot plan in advance, requesting a review and feedback regarding the location and orientation, but we received no response on that. When I asked about it, she just said she showed it to an architect, who did not see any issues. We flipped through some catalogs, and when I pointed out a floor plan that roughly matched our ideas, it was immediately noted for inclusion in the offer. Then she asked me which heating system I wanted. But who would know that at the first meeting? She then mentioned that for this size, about 160m² (1720 square feet) over two floors, it basically only makes sense to build to KfW55 standards and use an air-source heat pump. When I asked how flexible the floor plans could be, she said we would handle that with the architect later, when the time comes. However, it turned out that I can only see the architect if I sign a preliminary contract because, according to her, the planning involves high costs and the company needs a certain level of security. I also learned that this manufacturer does not have in-house architects but commissions them externally.
Is this the usual process? I feel like I can't buy a plot without at least a floor plan or rough draft, right? At the kitchen showroom, they design my kitchen for the space before I sign anything! I always thought you first look at the building site with the architect in person…
Am I mistaken? Is this just wishful thinking on my part? What can I realistically expect?
Thanks a lot for your answers.
Best regards,
Dennis
Topic: Free Planning
We live in times when consumers can easily request non-binding offers without considering a reasonable balance between the potential range of options and the number of quotes received. The profit margins that previously made such offers viable are long gone.
Topic: Construction Method
Flexibility in planning today is just as much a feature of prefabricated construction as it is in solid or traditional masonry construction. However, claiming that one method is superior is rather bold. In solid construction, it is useful to keep the 12.5cm (5 inches) modular grid in mind for exterior walls; interior walls, often made of sand-lime bricks, can then be arranged more freely.
Topic: “All-in-One” Service
In prefabricated construction, this approach is common—at most, the basement might come from a different source than the above-ground structure. But even in solid construction, many contractors today offer complete turnkey solutions.
Topic: Catalog Houses
The basic needs of typical families are similar enough that only a handful of variants per floor plan size are needed to divide a rectangular footprint. On the other hand, every plot of land is different. So, it makes sense both to offer a limited selection of base models and to realize that almost no one implements these exactly as originally designed.
What no supplier can provide is coaching the buyer through their entire self-discovery process—from an overload of inspiration to arriving at practical decisions—like a personal trainer providing dedicated one-on-one guidance.
Submitting an initial draft—one that can be quite rough—is therefore a good starting point. However, the supplier initially won’t know if the same draft has already been sent to a dozen competitors. I think it’s perfectly legitimate to first review the proven plans of base models with potential clients.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for sales reps at large providers to be told, “This quarter, focus primarily on pushing product X, ideally with heating system Y, since we are still committed to purchasing 450 units.”
I would tend to choose a regional, owner-operated company. I would avoid fixating on a specific wall material or staircase design initially—instead, look favorably at what the builder has the most experience with. Unless, of course, you have “religious” preferences, for example as a Poroton vegan; those should be made clear from the start. Then you can reasonably get a good handle on your project.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
We live in times when consumers can easily request non-binding offers without considering a reasonable balance between the potential range of options and the number of quotes received. The profit margins that previously made such offers viable are long gone.
Topic: Construction Method
Flexibility in planning today is just as much a feature of prefabricated construction as it is in solid or traditional masonry construction. However, claiming that one method is superior is rather bold. In solid construction, it is useful to keep the 12.5cm (5 inches) modular grid in mind for exterior walls; interior walls, often made of sand-lime bricks, can then be arranged more freely.
Topic: “All-in-One” Service
In prefabricated construction, this approach is common—at most, the basement might come from a different source than the above-ground structure. But even in solid construction, many contractors today offer complete turnkey solutions.
Topic: Catalog Houses
The basic needs of typical families are similar enough that only a handful of variants per floor plan size are needed to divide a rectangular footprint. On the other hand, every plot of land is different. So, it makes sense both to offer a limited selection of base models and to realize that almost no one implements these exactly as originally designed.
What no supplier can provide is coaching the buyer through their entire self-discovery process—from an overload of inspiration to arriving at practical decisions—like a personal trainer providing dedicated one-on-one guidance.
Submitting an initial draft—one that can be quite rough—is therefore a good starting point. However, the supplier initially won’t know if the same draft has already been sent to a dozen competitors. I think it’s perfectly legitimate to first review the proven plans of base models with potential clients.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for sales reps at large providers to be told, “This quarter, focus primarily on pushing product X, ideally with heating system Y, since we are still committed to purchasing 450 units.”
I would tend to choose a regional, owner-operated company. I would avoid fixating on a specific wall material or staircase design initially—instead, look favorably at what the builder has the most experience with. Unless, of course, you have “religious” preferences, for example as a Poroton vegan; those should be made clear from the start. Then you can reasonably get a good handle on your project.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
11ant schrieb:
Topic Free Planning )
We live in times where consumers readily expect providers to present non-binding offers without considering a reasonable balance between the potential range and the number of comparable bids. The margins available for this are long gone.I consider that a poor excuse. Honestly, I’m not buying bread from the bakery, but an investment starting at a quarter of a million. When the mayor plans a new garage for the town hall or something similar, no one asks whether preparing an offer based on a public tender is financially worthwhile for the provider, nor do they know who else is “bidding.”
A proper offer with consultation and genuine interest in the customer, their ideas, and providing support is possible—I have experienced that myself. Unfortunately, that was only in a small number of cases.
Heinz2k schrieb:
I consider that a cheap excuse. Honestly, I’m not buying bread from a bakery but an investment starting at a quarter of a million. Requesting quotes has become almost a national pastime. Unfortunately, there are often people who just want to find out what their dream house would cost, even though they don’t have a plot of land yet (or don’t know what a zoning plan is, how to read it, or whether building is allowed there at all). Some haven’t even had a discussion about what loan amount they qualify for. Just because there might be one serious buyer hidden among a handful of dreamers, would you provide an offer to everyone?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Preparing quotes costs money. Ultimately, the person who buys is the one who pays.
A prospective buyer should at least know what fits on the plot. This can also serve as an indicator of how serious the buyer is, along with an approximate budget and room layout.
We consulted three suppliers.
1. Supplier (small, regional) took the room layout, desired size, budget, inspected the plot, and started drawing with a pencil. Eventually, we received an offer.
2. Supplier (large) received the same information, adapted a model home to our preferences, and provided an offer that already included special requests. They told us they couldn’t proceed without an architect. That was beyond their scope. The prefab house part was very efficient and well-prepared. The house suited us, but whether it fit the plot was another matter.
3. Supplier (medium-sized, local) visited the plot, spoke with the local authority, noted our wishes, contacted the demolition company and contractors for the foundation and retaining wall, and collected quotes. Exactly what you want. However, the house they designed was not what we wanted: far too large, wrongly oriented on the plot, missing rooms, and a washing machine located in the bathroom despite having 230m² (2475ft²) of living space. The costs, surely five figures, are for others to bear.
Try working with a small supplier—they have to approach quotes differently than the large ones.
A prospective buyer should at least know what fits on the plot. This can also serve as an indicator of how serious the buyer is, along with an approximate budget and room layout.
We consulted three suppliers.
1. Supplier (small, regional) took the room layout, desired size, budget, inspected the plot, and started drawing with a pencil. Eventually, we received an offer.
2. Supplier (large) received the same information, adapted a model home to our preferences, and provided an offer that already included special requests. They told us they couldn’t proceed without an architect. That was beyond their scope. The prefab house part was very efficient and well-prepared. The house suited us, but whether it fit the plot was another matter.
3. Supplier (medium-sized, local) visited the plot, spoke with the local authority, noted our wishes, contacted the demolition company and contractors for the foundation and retaining wall, and collected quotes. Exactly what you want. However, the house they designed was not what we wanted: far too large, wrongly oriented on the plot, missing rooms, and a washing machine located in the bathroom despite having 230m² (2475ft²) of living space. The costs, surely five figures, are for others to bear.
Try working with a small supplier—they have to approach quotes differently than the large ones.
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