ᐅ Minimum Scope of Services for Architect and Structural Engineer, and Possible Owner Contribution?
Created on: 1 May 2011 23:18
M
m2thearius
Hello,
we plan to have a 140 m² (1,507 sq ft) house with a basement built using solid Poroton blocks, situated on a slight slope, as a shell construction. We intend to do the interior work ourselves (budget around 250,000 euros).
We want to keep the costs as low as possible, including fees for the architect and structural engineer.
Questions:
1. From a rational point of view, which services should I at least commission?
2. Which tasks can I handle myself (cost calculation, interior planning, etc.)?
3. Are there any other useful tips to keep the architect’s fees low?
we plan to have a 140 m² (1,507 sq ft) house with a basement built using solid Poroton blocks, situated on a slight slope, as a shell construction. We intend to do the interior work ourselves (budget around 250,000 euros).
We want to keep the costs as low as possible, including fees for the architect and structural engineer.
Questions:
1. From a rational point of view, which services should I at least commission?
2. Which tasks can I handle myself (cost calculation, interior planning, etc.)?
3. Are there any other useful tips to keep the architect’s fees low?
Hello,
An architect.
That depends......
Is the site manager also responsible for the interior work? Or does their role end there? If so, you will need to find someone else.
A site manager should not just visit the construction site every four weeks. And especially not only when problems arise. Their job is to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
If you hire an external expert, it certainly isn’t sufficient for them to supervise the work only once every four weeks. A lot happens on a construction site in four weeks, and sometimes it could already be too late. They should ideally visit once or twice a week to check that everything is in order.
The individual steps are called service phases. The services included in these are defined in the HOAI (Official Scale of Fees for Services by Architects and Engineers).
To summarize briefly:
Service phases 1–4 must be carried out by the architect. Even if you already have specific ideas for your house, the architect must implement these and, above all, check whether they are feasible from a building regulation and structural engineering perspective (--> statics).
Service phase 5: Preparation of working drawings, according to which the trades will carry out their work. Planning meetings are necessary with all professionals involved in the construction (mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) planners, structural engineers, etc.). This is the most important phase because the house is planned in detail here.
Service phases 6 and 7: Preparation of specifications for tendering and evaluation of the offers.
Service phase 8: Construction management and coordination of the trades.
Best regards
m2thearius schrieb:
I have absolutely no knowledge of construction management and planning. I definitely need a professional here, but which one?
An architect.
m2thearius schrieb:
Can I trust the company I hire for the shell construction and basement (they will surely assign a site manager)?
That depends......
Is the site manager also responsible for the interior work? Or does their role end there? If so, you will need to find someone else.
A site manager should not just visit the construction site every four weeks. And especially not only when problems arise. Their job is to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
m2thearius schrieb:
Or should the architect also visit every four weeks? Or is an external building inspector better?
If you hire an external expert, it certainly isn’t sufficient for them to supervise the work only once every four weeks. A lot happens on a construction site in four weeks, and sometimes it could already be too late. They should ideally visit once or twice a week to check that everything is in order.
m2thearius schrieb:
What do the different architect services include? As far as I understood from Bauexperte, phase 4 must be done by the architect. And part of phase 8 should also be done by them. What do the others mean? I already have very clear ideas about the look, size, and floor plans of the house, so what else is needed?
The individual steps are called service phases. The services included in these are defined in the HOAI (Official Scale of Fees for Services by Architects and Engineers).
To summarize briefly:
Service phases 1–4 must be carried out by the architect. Even if you already have specific ideas for your house, the architect must implement these and, above all, check whether they are feasible from a building regulation and structural engineering perspective (--> statics).
Service phase 5: Preparation of working drawings, according to which the trades will carry out their work. Planning meetings are necessary with all professionals involved in the construction (mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) planners, structural engineers, etc.). This is the most important phase because the house is planned in detail here.
Service phases 6 and 7: Preparation of specifications for tendering and evaluation of the offers.
Service phase 8: Construction management and coordination of the trades.
Best regards
Hello,
If I were you, I would take a step back and rethink the overall approach to a project like this—based on what you’ve described so far, it could get a bit chaotic.
Here are two ideas to consider:
1. Contrary to your view, an architect is not just a cost factor. On the contrary! An architect can actually save you more money than you could on your own through clever design, forward-thinking planning, effective cost control, and managing tenders. Nowadays, there are quite a few architects who specialize in affordable construction. Their projects, including fees, often don’t cost more than standard designs, but they offer significantly more value!
2. If you don’t want a fully custom design and are fine with something adapted from a standard model, I would recommend contacting general contractors in your area to review their designs and request quotes. This way, you can reduce the costs related to architects or planners. Even then, I strongly recommend hiring an independent, external construction supervisor—and for heaven’s sake, make sure it’s someone who doesn’t just show up on site once every four weeks.
Best regards,
Peter
If I were you, I would take a step back and rethink the overall approach to a project like this—based on what you’ve described so far, it could get a bit chaotic.
Here are two ideas to consider:
1. Contrary to your view, an architect is not just a cost factor. On the contrary! An architect can actually save you more money than you could on your own through clever design, forward-thinking planning, effective cost control, and managing tenders. Nowadays, there are quite a few architects who specialize in affordable construction. Their projects, including fees, often don’t cost more than standard designs, but they offer significantly more value!
2. If you don’t want a fully custom design and are fine with something adapted from a standard model, I would recommend contacting general contractors in your area to review their designs and request quotes. This way, you can reduce the costs related to architects or planners. Even then, I strongly recommend hiring an independent, external construction supervisor—and for heaven’s sake, make sure it’s someone who doesn’t just show up on site once every four weeks.
Best regards,
Peter
Hello,
Best regards
Bonnat schrieb:That's exactly right!
...There are now quite a few architects who specialize in affordable buildings. Their projects often cost about the same as standard designs, including fees, but offer so much more!
Bonnat schrieb:However, there are often significant shortcomings regarding the necessary planning and sizing of the building services system. The “optimized” energy performance certificate can lead to very unpleasant surprises during actual operation later on.
...You don’t really want a custom design; something slightly modified off-the-shelf is enough for you. In that case, I would recommend contacting the relevant general contractors in your area to review their designs and request quotes.
Bonnat schrieb:Correct, this is absolutely a “must” for general contractor projects.
...
I would also recommend independent, external construction supervision here—and for heaven’s sake, make sure it’s not just someone who visits the site once every four weeks
Best regards
Hello!
I basically want to "just" convert the attic above my condominium (in an 8-unit building) – or rather have a loggia installed. Unfortunately, this requires a structural engineer and an architect. (Unfortunately, because it’s for a so-called "cabrio" – installation of large windows that can be opened outward: one in the sloping roof opening upward, the other vertical facing forward; I could probably explain it better ; but this wouldn’t actually be necessary..)
Now I would like to get a rough idea of how much their fees might be. Should I base this on the area to be converted? And where can I find such professionals? I called the building authority today, but of course, they had already closed at 4:30 PM.
Thank you in advance for your response, Schnubii
I basically want to "just" convert the attic above my condominium (in an 8-unit building) – or rather have a loggia installed. Unfortunately, this requires a structural engineer and an architect. (Unfortunately, because it’s for a so-called "cabrio" – installation of large windows that can be opened outward: one in the sloping roof opening upward, the other vertical facing forward; I could probably explain it better ; but this wouldn’t actually be necessary..)
Now I would like to get a rough idea of how much their fees might be. Should I base this on the area to be converted? And where can I find such professionals? I called the building authority today, but of course, they had already closed at 4:30 PM.
Thank you in advance for your response, Schnubii
Hello,
If your attic has not been used as living space until now, you will need a building permit / planning permission. For this, you will require an architect and, for any structural or technical proofs (statics, thermal insulation, etc.), a structural engineer.
If you change the appearance of your building and even structural elements (large roof windows, loggia), this usually also requires official approval.
The fees depend on the construction costs.
Yellow Pages, internet, phone directory...
Best regards
schnubii schrieb:
I basically just want to convert the attic above my condominium (in an 8-family house) – or rather, have a loggia installed. Unfortunately, this also requires a structural engineer and an architect. (Unfortunately, because it’s a so-called cabrio roof = installation of large windows that can be opened – one in the roof slope upwards, the other vertical facing forward; I’m sure this can be better explained ; but it’s not absolutely necessary..)
If your attic has not been used as living space until now, you will need a building permit / planning permission. For this, you will require an architect and, for any structural or technical proofs (statics, thermal insulation, etc.), a structural engineer.
If you change the appearance of your building and even structural elements (large roof windows, loggia), this usually also requires official approval.
schnubii schrieb:
Now I’d like to get a rough idea of how much these professionals charge.
The fees depend on the construction costs.
schnubii schrieb:
And where can you find such people?
Yellow Pages, internet, phone directory...
Best regards
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