Hello dear experts,
My partner and I will start building our semi-detached house next spring. We are demolishing the old semi-detached house, constructing a new basement, and then building a wooden house on top. The wooden house will be prefabricated in the factory using a modular construction method and then assembled on site complete with windows, roofing, and exterior plaster. Since the wooden house company offers a high-end interior finish, we have chosen the shell-and-core option and plan to organize the interior work ourselves.
Choosing a staircase, tiles, and kitchen is not much of a problem. I have relatives who are bricklayers, mechanical installers, and carpenters, whom I can ask for advice, although they do not live locally. We plan to lay the tiles and handle the "simpler" tasks with their help.
The main challenge is with electrical, plumbing, and heating work. We definitely want a local company to handle these areas since, as construction novices, we do not feel confident doing them ourselves. We plan to get 2-3 quotes from electricians and plumbers in the area and compare them. We have received company recommendations from friends and acquaintances and have researched independently online. So far, everything is going quite well.
Now I am wondering: Do we, as clients, have a strong enough position to negotiate with the tradespeople, or would it be wise to hire an architect for contracting and supervising the interior trades? When we receive the quotes, we can ask the specialists in my family for advice. But I feel we might need someone to support us more, also later for construction supervision and the final inspection. We want to be very involved in the building process ourselves, but one has to know their limits regarding time and expertise.
Would it therefore make sense to hire an architect, or can an organization like the Private Homeowners’ Association or Homeowners’ Protection Federation also provide this service?
Thanks for your experiences and tips,
MaryLou
My partner and I will start building our semi-detached house next spring. We are demolishing the old semi-detached house, constructing a new basement, and then building a wooden house on top. The wooden house will be prefabricated in the factory using a modular construction method and then assembled on site complete with windows, roofing, and exterior plaster. Since the wooden house company offers a high-end interior finish, we have chosen the shell-and-core option and plan to organize the interior work ourselves.
Choosing a staircase, tiles, and kitchen is not much of a problem. I have relatives who are bricklayers, mechanical installers, and carpenters, whom I can ask for advice, although they do not live locally. We plan to lay the tiles and handle the "simpler" tasks with their help.
The main challenge is with electrical, plumbing, and heating work. We definitely want a local company to handle these areas since, as construction novices, we do not feel confident doing them ourselves. We plan to get 2-3 quotes from electricians and plumbers in the area and compare them. We have received company recommendations from friends and acquaintances and have researched independently online. So far, everything is going quite well.
Now I am wondering: Do we, as clients, have a strong enough position to negotiate with the tradespeople, or would it be wise to hire an architect for contracting and supervising the interior trades? When we receive the quotes, we can ask the specialists in my family for advice. But I feel we might need someone to support us more, also later for construction supervision and the final inspection. We want to be very involved in the building process ourselves, but one has to know their limits regarding time and expertise.
Would it therefore make sense to hire an architect, or can an organization like the Private Homeowners’ Association or Homeowners’ Protection Federation also provide this service?
Thanks for your experiences and tips,
MaryLou
Hello Mary Lou,
The issue is more about coordinating the interfaces between the structural shell and the interior finishing. To coordinate the trades for electrical, plumbing, lighting design, staircase, and other interior work with the structural shell, I would definitely recommend hiring an architect.
Where is the plot located?
Good luck
The issue is more about coordinating the interfaces between the structural shell and the interior finishing. To coordinate the trades for electrical, plumbing, lighting design, staircase, and other interior work with the structural shell, I would definitely recommend hiring an architect.
Where is the plot located?
Good luck
Hello dessin,
I'm also concerned about exactly these interfaces. It is difficult to create a reliable schedule when you have little experience with knowing when to start each trade. Maybe an architect could spend two hours with us to plan at least theoretically.
The plot is south of Munich.
I'm also concerned about exactly these interfaces. It is difficult to create a reliable schedule when you have little experience with knowing when to start each trade. Maybe an architect could spend two hours with us to plan at least theoretically.
The plot is south of Munich.
You need someone to help you prepare the requests for proposals (tenders), evaluate the offers, and—as you have already mentioned—oversee the awarding and supervision of the interior finishing trades. These professionals are familiar with the critical points and, not least, the sometimes tricky tactics used by contractors. The contractual fundamentals of the awarded work are also important and known only to an expert.
In short: get some help. It’s worth it.
In short: get some help. It’s worth it.
MaryLou schrieb:
Hello dessin,
Maybe an architect could sit down with us for about two hours and at least plan theoretically.
The plot is located south of Munich.Hello Mary Lou,
Since my post from this morning is no longer visible on the web, here is a new attempt...
My suggestion was to communicate via a personal email address, as not everyone is comfortable sharing their entire project online.
Good luck
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