ᐅ General Contractor in the Munich Area or Prefabricated House?
Created on: 9 Sep 2019 13:44
J
Julie87
Hello everyone,
Thank you for welcoming me to the housebuilding forum.
My partner and I would like to build a single-family home in the Bauhaus style near Munich. Since we want a high proportion of glass surfaces as well as large rooms on the ground floor with a ceiling height of 3.50 m (11.5 ft), we don’t fit the standard offerings of prefab home suppliers. None of their predefined floor plans suit us. But of course, according to the sales representatives, they can also build custom designs.
We are just a bit concerned that the costs could get out of control since prefab home companies benefit from economies of scale. Also, with our ceiling height, we cannot use standard windows, sliding doors, interior doors, blinds, etc.
This raises the question of whether it might be better to build with a general contractor using traditional construction methods.
However, general contractors in the Munich area have such poor reviews. I have read here in the forum that it only makes sense to work with a general contractor if they are located near the building site. Do you have any advice or can you recommend a general contractor?
Thank you very much for your tips.
Thank you for welcoming me to the housebuilding forum.
My partner and I would like to build a single-family home in the Bauhaus style near Munich. Since we want a high proportion of glass surfaces as well as large rooms on the ground floor with a ceiling height of 3.50 m (11.5 ft), we don’t fit the standard offerings of prefab home suppliers. None of their predefined floor plans suit us. But of course, according to the sales representatives, they can also build custom designs.
We are just a bit concerned that the costs could get out of control since prefab home companies benefit from economies of scale. Also, with our ceiling height, we cannot use standard windows, sliding doors, interior doors, blinds, etc.
This raises the question of whether it might be better to build with a general contractor using traditional construction methods.
However, general contractors in the Munich area have such poor reviews. I have read here in the forum that it only makes sense to work with a general contractor if they are located near the building site. Do you have any advice or can you recommend a general contractor?
Thank you very much for your tips.
rick2018 schrieb:
You have read multiple times that all architects and direct contracting recommend it.
You don’t build a house like this with companies like Weberhaus and the like.
How big is the house supposed to be? I agree.
Although I have nothing against timber framing. I also trust Weberhaus and similar companies in that category. But the shell alone is not enough.
I think your standards for windows and interior materials are different.
I would give preference to the craftsman who has installed frameless whatever windows many times before. An ambitious one can probably manage it too. But they pay their dues, or you do.
@Muc1985 seems to be satisfied with their architect.
Regarding the size, I believe those two will definitely take the lead.
Because with a general contractor (GC), you won’t get such a special and customized house.
General contractors can handle some degree of customization, but that’s where it ends. The subcontractors build standard designs—sometimes larger, sometimes smaller.
What you need are specialists, especially for an all-glass system.
General contractors can handle some degree of customization, but that’s where it ends. The subcontractors build standard designs—sometimes larger, sometimes smaller.
What you need are specialists, especially for an all-glass system.
I share Rick’s opinion here. You have very individual, unique, and also exclusive wishes. In addition, it is clear that you have considerable financial resources, and every trade will be high-priced, which likely attracts reputable companies to submit offers.
All of this should be managed by an architect to ensure that you can fully incorporate your ideas exactly as you envision them.
PS: Yes, I am very happy with our architectural firm.
All of this should be managed by an architect to ensure that you can fully incorporate your ideas exactly as you envision them.
PS: Yes, I am very happy with our architectural firm.
I apologize for the "feeling offended" and also recommend awarding contracts individually with an architect. Good companies also collaborate well with other quality trades, and just because the shell of a prefabricated house is built by a single provider in a factory, it does not mean fewer mistakes will occur.
If the concern is having "only one point of contact" – you also have that when working with an architect.
If the concern is having "only one point of contact" – you also have that when working with an architect.
Julie87 schrieb:
Can you recommend an architect or a general contractor? The way the question is phrased suggests you think that with a general contractor (GC) you wouldn’t need an architect here. However, this either/or assumption is incorrect. Based on your requirements, a freelance architect is clearly needed – whether they then hire a GC or manage subcontractors independently is a different matter.
Julie87 schrieb:
We are also considering a prefabricated house because we have heard many horror stories about traditional solid construction homes. It is a fact that a prefabricated house is built in a factory setting, which reduces the error rate. Since there is currently a shortage of skilled workers, we like the idea of having everything from one source so that there are no misunderstandings regarding warranties.
According to Weberhaus and Keitel-Haus, ceiling heights of 3.50 m (11.5 ft) on the ground floor as well as windows or glass surfaces that do not conform to standard sizes are possible. No: The fact is that even in “prefabricated construction” in the sense of “timber frame panels produced in a factory,” only the shell is made by the core personnel; otherwise, these providers function like general contractors, just like traditional masons – including a comparable scope of subcontractors.
Julie87 schrieb:
My partner and I would like to build a single-family home in the Bauhaus style near Munich. Since we want a high proportion of glass surfaces and large rooms on the ground floor with a ceiling height of 3.50 m (11.5 ft), we don’t fit the criteria of prefabricated house providers, as none of their pre-designed floor plans suit us. I fully agree with the assessment that the description of your desired house does not at all sound like Weberhaus. Based on the level of construction requirements, Huf could be an option; however, they tend to specialize more in timber skeleton construction. Büdenbender might still be suitable.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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