Hello,
we want to build a KfW 40 plus house with a prefab home provider that has not yet been decided. Some elements, such as the photovoltaic system including storage, the prefabricated basement, the garage, the staircase, and possibly a few other items will be outsourced because it simply makes more sense.
Now to the actual process (after purchasing the plot).
1. Should we look for an architect/energy consultant ourselves, or does the architect from the prefab home company take over this role even if the basement, photovoltaic system, etc. are ordered externally?
2. Should we find an expert to simply support us during the construction? For this, should we rather choose someone from a home builders’ association or someone like a "prefab home expert"?
3. Obtain quotes from the prefab home companies, the basement builders, the photovoltaic installer, etc. For this purpose, I have already created a checklist to ensure that not too many additional costs appear during selection but that everything is included in the initial offer (otherwise it would be hard to compare). Of course, we will carry out a preliminary selection to be absolutely sure. What is a sensible order here? For example: prefab home provider first, then basement builder, then photovoltaic company, then exterior work, then staircase builder?
4. Decision on the prefab home company and revision or extension of the contracts such as the scope of work through additional clauses and everything that is not fairly balanced.
5. Then price negotiation. Should professional help be sought here as well and, if so, who? Would that person also be involved during the process?
6. Signature and starting signal for construction. The architect should have the floor plans, etc. ready before that for the building permit / planning permission application.
It would be great to get lots of input here so we are better prepared! Many thanks in advance!
we want to build a KfW 40 plus house with a prefab home provider that has not yet been decided. Some elements, such as the photovoltaic system including storage, the prefabricated basement, the garage, the staircase, and possibly a few other items will be outsourced because it simply makes more sense.
Now to the actual process (after purchasing the plot).
1. Should we look for an architect/energy consultant ourselves, or does the architect from the prefab home company take over this role even if the basement, photovoltaic system, etc. are ordered externally?
2. Should we find an expert to simply support us during the construction? For this, should we rather choose someone from a home builders’ association or someone like a "prefab home expert"?
3. Obtain quotes from the prefab home companies, the basement builders, the photovoltaic installer, etc. For this purpose, I have already created a checklist to ensure that not too many additional costs appear during selection but that everything is included in the initial offer (otherwise it would be hard to compare). Of course, we will carry out a preliminary selection to be absolutely sure. What is a sensible order here? For example: prefab home provider first, then basement builder, then photovoltaic company, then exterior work, then staircase builder?
4. Decision on the prefab home company and revision or extension of the contracts such as the scope of work through additional clauses and everything that is not fairly balanced.
5. Then price negotiation. Should professional help be sought here as well and, if so, who? Would that person also be involved during the process?
6. Signature and starting signal for construction. The architect should have the floor plans, etc. ready before that for the building permit / planning permission application.
It would be great to get lots of input here so we are better prepared! Many thanks in advance!
E
Eigenheim_20112 Jun 2020 14:05Thanks @hampshire and @woboter for the input!
@T_im_Norden yes, but if you follow that logic, you should never work with two different contractors or do any work yourself.
Especially since, as mentioned, the prefabricated house company usually also hires subcontractors.
We also want to have someone from the Homeowners Protection Association or another organization on our side to help us with inspecting the individual trades. That will certainly cost a bit more, but it’s definitely better than being completely clueless. I don’t want to pretend to have the same expertise after just a few months that professionals have after years or decades of experience.
@T_im_Norden yes, but if you follow that logic, you should never work with two different contractors or do any work yourself.
Especially since, as mentioned, the prefabricated house company usually also hires subcontractors.
We also want to have someone from the Homeowners Protection Association or another organization on our side to help us with inspecting the individual trades. That will certainly cost a bit more, but it’s definitely better than being completely clueless. I don’t want to pretend to have the same expertise after just a few months that professionals have after years or decades of experience.
E
Eigenheim_20112 Jun 2020 14:09@Lumpi_LE Thanks, and that’s exactly why I started this thread.
So does that mean I can't have the planning for a basement ordered externally handled through the house construction company?
Or to put it differently, if I commission a basement externally, is it only possible if I manage all contracts separately and carry out the project with an architect?
So does that mean I can't have the planning for a basement ordered externally handled through the house construction company?
Or to put it differently, if I commission a basement externally, is it only possible if I manage all contracts separately and carry out the project with an architect?
T
T_im_Norden2 Jun 2020 14:10If you want to handle the contracting process yourself, you either need an architect to do it for you or you must be very knowledgeable and have the time to manage it yourself.
The person from the building savings contract does not plan for you and does not check your quotes; they only verify if everything was carried out correctly.
Owner-performed work usually involves painting or flooring, tasks that typically take place when the house is almost finished.
The person from the building savings contract does not plan for you and does not check your quotes; they only verify if everything was carried out correctly.
Owner-performed work usually involves painting or flooring, tasks that typically take place when the house is almost finished.
E
Eigenheim_20112 Jun 2020 14:17@T_im_Norden This is what is stated on the page about the home savings contract: Have your contract draft reviewed by our specialized lawyers before signing. During the construction phase, our homeowner advisors are available as experts to assist you. Even after completion, we support you to ensure that you can enforce your warranty claims on time.
I feel like I’m getting more and more confused.
Maybe I should ask differently:
If you want to carry out a project with a prefab house provider and also want to use their architect, but want to hire the basement construction and other trades externally, does the architect still prepare all plans (even if this results in additional costs) so that you can order the other services externally?
I feel like I’m getting more and more confused.
Maybe I should ask differently:
If you want to carry out a project with a prefab house provider and also want to use their architect, but want to hire the basement construction and other trades externally, does the architect still prepare all plans (even if this results in additional costs) so that you can order the other services externally?
Eigenheim_2011 schrieb:
Does that mean I cannot have the planning for an externally ordered basement handled through the house building company? That would be quite unusual anyway and won’t give you any advantage.
Eigenheim_2011 schrieb:
Or put differently, if I order a basement externally, is it only possible if I contract everything separately and carry out the project with an architect? No, you can also have an architect do the planning and then split it into three packages: basement, house, and photovoltaic system.
For that, you would then look for three separate companies.
T
T_im_Norden2 Jun 2020 14:21Reviewing the contract means that the lawyer checks for any obvious legal flaws.
An expert supervising the construction means they visit the building site to ensure the work is carried out properly.
Make sure to carefully look at the fees that the building savings contract charges for the expert services and legal advice.
An expert supervising the construction means they visit the building site to ensure the work is carried out properly.
Make sure to carefully look at the fees that the building savings contract charges for the expert services and legal advice.
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