ᐅ New Construction Shell Phase Decision: Hire a Contractor or an Architect?
Created on: 24 Aug 2018 03:10
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Infosauger
Hello,
I am planning to build a single- or two-family house and have an idea of how I might proceed. I would like to hear or read your opinions, as this approach may not be fully developed and might lack many details (e.g., requirements and predefined materials). I would appreciate some support.
Currently, there is a fully serviced plot of land available. I want to build a standard house on it—so no special components and no exceptional thermal insulation, just a maximum energy standard of KfW 70-90. It should be two stories with a full basement (usable cellar) and a gable roof pitched at about 35-45 degrees, possibly with a knee wall depending on the price, since the attic might be converted later. I am looking for a shell construction including roof and basement, without plastering or screeding work. Windows, sanitary installations, heating, and electrical systems would be tendered separately. The house has a footprint of about 125-130 sqm (1345-1400 sq ft) per floor.
What specifications should be made? Building materials? U-value? I was thinking of sending various shell construction companies self-prepared dimensioned floor plans, area calculations, and a volume calculation. Question: What information is needed for a preliminary quote? If the price is acceptable, is it possible to use a structural engineer or architect through the builder?
At the same time, I would also submit my planning to architects or present it in a free initial consultation. What else should I consider or possibly mention when requesting a quote?
PS: Sorry for the spelling mistakes. I wrote this text on an old iPad.
I am planning to build a single- or two-family house and have an idea of how I might proceed. I would like to hear or read your opinions, as this approach may not be fully developed and might lack many details (e.g., requirements and predefined materials). I would appreciate some support.
Currently, there is a fully serviced plot of land available. I want to build a standard house on it—so no special components and no exceptional thermal insulation, just a maximum energy standard of KfW 70-90. It should be two stories with a full basement (usable cellar) and a gable roof pitched at about 35-45 degrees, possibly with a knee wall depending on the price, since the attic might be converted later. I am looking for a shell construction including roof and basement, without plastering or screeding work. Windows, sanitary installations, heating, and electrical systems would be tendered separately. The house has a footprint of about 125-130 sqm (1345-1400 sq ft) per floor.
What specifications should be made? Building materials? U-value? I was thinking of sending various shell construction companies self-prepared dimensioned floor plans, area calculations, and a volume calculation. Question: What information is needed for a preliminary quote? If the price is acceptable, is it possible to use a structural engineer or architect through the builder?
At the same time, I would also submit my planning to architects or present it in a free initial consultation. What else should I consider or possibly mention when requesting a quote?
PS: Sorry for the spelling mistakes. I wrote this text on an old iPad.
Your approach is doomed to fail, but since I’m not the first to say this, it seems you don’t really want to hear it anyway.
Hire an architect to oversee all project phases; this way, at least (unless you get an architect who originally wanted to be a circus trainer) you’ll have a proper plan on which you can base the work of your Polish contractors.
You can’t just start building without a building permit / planning permission, which only an architect can prepare for you.
Trying to find and hire tradespeople on your own is also risky in the current market situation, and even if you do find someone, the prices will be so inflated that you won’t save money but end up paying more in the end.
Hire an architect to oversee all project phases; this way, at least (unless you get an architect who originally wanted to be a circus trainer) you’ll have a proper plan on which you can base the work of your Polish contractors.
You can’t just start building without a building permit / planning permission, which only an architect can prepare for you.
Trying to find and hire tradespeople on your own is also risky in the current market situation, and even if you do find someone, the prices will be so inflated that you won’t save money but end up paying more in the end.
I
Infosauger24 Aug 2018 14:34The goal is to get an initial impression. Architects also have the opportunity to present their added value during a preliminary meeting. The cost estimates and preliminary discussions serve to select a contractor and their team or an architect. The architect or structural engineer from the construction company can also prepare the building permit / planning permission application. Ultimately, I have created a floor plan that only needs to be adjusted to meet the requirements. For the work after the shell construction, an architect can be involved if needed. However, I don’t understand why an architect would be the best choice here, when a building technician or civil engineer generally has a better technical understanding.
H
HilfeHilfe24 Aug 2018 16:39Infosauger schrieb:
The goal is to get an initial impression. Architects also have the chance to present their added value in a preliminary meeting. The cost estimates and initial discussions then serve to choose a contractor and their team or an architect. The architect or structural engineer from the construction company can also prepare the building permit / planning application. Ultimately, I have created a floor plan that only needs to be adapted to the requirements. For the work after the shell construction, an architect can also be involved. However, I don’t understand why an architect would be the best choice here, when a building technician or civil engineer generally understands the technical aspects better. Don’t talk nonsense about just getting an impression. You want information and rough prices, preferably in writing. Architects or tradespeople who have time to meet with you for free in NRW are non-existent. They are all fully booked.
I
Infosauger24 Aug 2018 16:41So, you again. Your tone is really inappropriate. And I have already told you that there is nothing wrong with gathering preliminary information. Don’t act like the moral authority here just because someone is asking for advice. By the way, you are off-topic again. This is not about whether to request quotes, but how to do it. If you have a problem with that, then do it your way if you think it’s right, but don’t call everything else nonsense just because you might not see a way in it. So, once again, the question is how, not whether, to obtain initial offers. Besides, architects and building companies are professional enough to decide whether they want to “waste” time with me or not. So just drop the subject. Architects and building companies will respond… some will not. You have to get in touch somehow and see if it could be a good fit.
Infosauger schrieb:
The architects also have the opportunity to present their added value in a preliminary meeting. :lol: I'm sure they will be grateful for that. You are underestimating the current situation.I
Infosauger24 Aug 2018 17:19Oh, so architects swim in streams of gold as well? Apparently, no one out there wants to negotiate contracts anymore; they just want to easily scoop up clients. Well, I’d like to see that.
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