Hello everyone,
I have a question again.
How many quotes have you obtained, and how did you choose one?
We currently have two quotes. The floor plans are not 100% perfect in either, but overall we like both designs.
The designs differ in several ways. One is larger, the other has more windows... one builder includes a wooden staircase as standard, the other a steel-wood staircase; one has tiled entrance hall flooring, the other does not; sometimes the bathroom is tiled up to ceiling height, sometimes only halfway... one provides prices for extra sockets, the other does not, and so on.
I am really overwhelmed at the moment.
Is it okay to approach a builder with another builder’s design and ask for a quote based on that?
Thank you very much in advance and best regards!
I have a question again.
How many quotes have you obtained, and how did you choose one?
We currently have two quotes. The floor plans are not 100% perfect in either, but overall we like both designs.
The designs differ in several ways. One is larger, the other has more windows... one builder includes a wooden staircase as standard, the other a steel-wood staircase; one has tiled entrance hall flooring, the other does not; sometimes the bathroom is tiled up to ceiling height, sometimes only halfway... one provides prices for extra sockets, the other does not, and so on.
I am really overwhelmed at the moment.
Is it okay to approach a builder with another builder’s design and ask for a quote based on that?
Thank you very much in advance and best regards!
@Katdreas
We’re in the same situation right now… it’s not that simple and quite confusing ;-)
We’re trying to take a relaxed approach and not drive ourselves crazy.
We have about 80-90% of the floor plan and specifications in mind and have discussed them with everyone involved.
However, there are still a few unclear points—different versions of the house that could lead to price differences between provider A and provider B.
If a final floor plan is decided, I wouldn’t hesitate to ask providers 2 or 3 for a revised price—especially if there are major cost-relevant changes compared to the original offer.
For example, for us, this could be additional costs for an attic conversion, relocating the utility/technical room as an extension or under the garage, and so on.
The main points can be compared, but the details get tricky since each offers different brands, materials, and so forth.
For me, it’s also important to focus on the truly higher costs, such as ancillary construction costs, different heating systems, surcharges for plumbing, electrical work, etc.
What services are included in the offer and what are not (structural engineering, soil survey, architect, heating demand calculation, fixtures...)?
We have been to two or three prefabricated home providers (timber frame) and three general contractors, two of whom used to work together, so their construction scope descriptions are almost identical. We’re still waiting for a quote from the third general contractor.
We’re fortunate that I work for a civil engineering company, so hopefully these costs will stay within a reasonable range ;-)
…whether our approach works or ends in chaos… we’ll see ;-))
We’re in the same situation right now… it’s not that simple and quite confusing ;-)
We’re trying to take a relaxed approach and not drive ourselves crazy.
We have about 80-90% of the floor plan and specifications in mind and have discussed them with everyone involved.
However, there are still a few unclear points—different versions of the house that could lead to price differences between provider A and provider B.
If a final floor plan is decided, I wouldn’t hesitate to ask providers 2 or 3 for a revised price—especially if there are major cost-relevant changes compared to the original offer.
For example, for us, this could be additional costs for an attic conversion, relocating the utility/technical room as an extension or under the garage, and so on.
The main points can be compared, but the details get tricky since each offers different brands, materials, and so forth.
For me, it’s also important to focus on the truly higher costs, such as ancillary construction costs, different heating systems, surcharges for plumbing, electrical work, etc.
What services are included in the offer and what are not (structural engineering, soil survey, architect, heating demand calculation, fixtures...)?
We have been to two or three prefabricated home providers (timber frame) and three general contractors, two of whom used to work together, so their construction scope descriptions are almost identical. We’re still waiting for a quote from the third general contractor.
We’re fortunate that I work for a civil engineering company, so hopefully these costs will stay within a reasonable range ;-)
…whether our approach works or ends in chaos… we’ll see ;-))
Julia.86 schrieb:
Almost all the plans we received explicitly stated that they are the property of the respective provider and may only be shared with written permission. For an initial comparison, you can also refer to similar catalog models or sample building proposals from the respective providers. At least among nationally recognized companies, it works well that the bestsellers from the next competitor are almost known by heart. Every car salesperson knows that a buyer interested in a Mondeo has very likely also looked at a Passat or will do so soon. It’s no different in the home building industry.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Katdreas schrieb:
Thanks for the answers! We'll keep refining our draft until we can say: yes – this is going to be our house!
I'm sure we’ll have more questions for you
Wishing everyone a great weekendFor the general contractor / main contractor, providing a single image with the floor area, house type, and number of rooms is usually enough when it’s a standard house. They can tell you within 5 minutes how much the house will cost with their built-in inventory.
However, I wonder if you really want to name the exact budget down to the last cent and then choose the contractor who is €3000 cheaper.
Similar topics