ᐅ Comparing Quotes for Timber Frame Construction – Money vs. Intuition? How to Decide?
Created on: 4 May 2013 11:36
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Pipilotta
Dear forum,
We have been planning a timber frame house for some time and had actually already decided on a provider (local, builds about 40 houses per year, very good reputation) when yesterday we received an offer from a competitor. This one is also from the region, builds about 20 houses per year, and does many extensions, renovations, and roof structures.
I compared the prices in the offers and found a net price difference of 20,000. As far as I can tell, the wall construction (including insulation) is the same, but the cheaper one uses gypsum fiber boards instead of drywall and would install a nail-laminated timber ceiling instead of a wooden beam ceiling, so actually using more expensive materials. The roof structures differ: the more expensive provider offers a double roof truss including an exposed roof structure, while the other provides a single roof truss without exposed beams. Also, the more expensive offer includes all architectural services, whereas the other would only draw the plans, and we are leaning towards consulting an architect additionally. Another difference is that the more expensive offer is turnkey, while the other only offers the house without technical installations.
Now we are quite unsure because the more expensive provider simply seems extremely competent (master carpenter accredited by the guild, member of DIN committees, lecturer at a university of applied sciences for timber construction, etc.), and the other is "only" a regular carpenter and roofer, though he does explain all questions plausibly. Another point is that we feel the more expensive provider has a concept behind his houses, while the other just builds the house exactly as we describe it. Hmm... Do you understand my dilemma? Does anyone have advice on how we can manage our decision?
Thank you very much and best regards,
Pipi
We have been planning a timber frame house for some time and had actually already decided on a provider (local, builds about 40 houses per year, very good reputation) when yesterday we received an offer from a competitor. This one is also from the region, builds about 20 houses per year, and does many extensions, renovations, and roof structures.
I compared the prices in the offers and found a net price difference of 20,000. As far as I can tell, the wall construction (including insulation) is the same, but the cheaper one uses gypsum fiber boards instead of drywall and would install a nail-laminated timber ceiling instead of a wooden beam ceiling, so actually using more expensive materials. The roof structures differ: the more expensive provider offers a double roof truss including an exposed roof structure, while the other provides a single roof truss without exposed beams. Also, the more expensive offer includes all architectural services, whereas the other would only draw the plans, and we are leaning towards consulting an architect additionally. Another difference is that the more expensive offer is turnkey, while the other only offers the house without technical installations.
Now we are quite unsure because the more expensive provider simply seems extremely competent (master carpenter accredited by the guild, member of DIN committees, lecturer at a university of applied sciences for timber construction, etc.), and the other is "only" a regular carpenter and roofer, though he does explain all questions plausibly. Another point is that we feel the more expensive provider has a concept behind his houses, while the other just builds the house exactly as we describe it. Hmm... Do you understand my dilemma? Does anyone have advice on how we can manage our decision?
Thank you very much and best regards,
Pipi
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Pipilotta5 May 2013 10:18Hello Der Da,
The 20% refers to the cost of the house excluding technical installations and the basement, but with the interior finished with plaster. The size is 8.5 x 12.5 meters (28 x 41 feet) with a 12 sqm (130 sq ft) technical room and a knee wall height of 2.30 meters (7 ft 7 in), 25-degree pitched roof. €117,000 vs. €137,000, without carport.
Kind regards, Pipi
The 20% refers to the cost of the house excluding technical installations and the basement, but with the interior finished with plaster. The size is 8.5 x 12.5 meters (28 x 41 feet) with a 12 sqm (130 sq ft) technical room and a knee wall height of 2.30 meters (7 ft 7 in), 25-degree pitched roof. €117,000 vs. €137,000, without carport.
Kind regards, Pipi
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Pipilotta6 May 2013 12:31Hello forum!
Yesterday, a neighbor looked over the quotes. The only difference is blown-in insulation (with the cheaper provider) versus full wood fiber insulation (with the more expensive one). But that can’t explain the price difference... Do you have any tips?
Best regards,
Pipi
Yesterday, a neighbor looked over the quotes. The only difference is blown-in insulation (with the cheaper provider) versus full wood fiber insulation (with the more expensive one). But that can’t explain the price difference... Do you have any tips?
Best regards,
Pipi