ᐅ Tender phase with different companies

SaniererNRW123 schrieb:

It's comparable to ordering a car:
Car
Euro 6
Roof with sunroof
Seats with fabric upholstery
Windows with thermal insulation
Electrically operated windows
Diesel engine
==> What does the car cost with exactly these specifications from different manufacturers?

Exactly, then BMW tells me to take the xyz for $75,000.
Then I go to Ford, which says take the abc for $45,000,
and Dacia shows me its car zxa for $20,000.

Then with each car, I have exactly what I need, and I can decide which one to choose in the end!

So there is no list here where one could independently work through to create something like this for their own house?

Benzeller schrieb:

Yes, exactly, then BMW tells me to take the xyz for €75,000.
Then I go to Ford, who says take the abc for €45,000.
And Dacia shows me its car zxa for €20,000.

No, you go to three car dealers and have no idea which brand you will actually get in the end. That’s how this works.
Maybe a BMW is your goal, but the dealer with the Dacia doesn’t say which brand he is selling you. And the price is simply too tempting. Maybe you realize it while the car is being produced because the dealer asks if you want a navigation system included. And what size the display should be. The radio works, but only on shortwave, although you actually expected DAB+ and Apple CarPlay. Then the options come along that suddenly make the Dacia as expensive as the BMW.

It’s the same with building. Very simplified. You only get what you explicitly include in the scope of work description. No matter what you think: things that are not mentioned will be charged to you on top.

Benzeller schrieb:

So, there is no list here that you could work through independently to create something like this for your own house?

No, such a list does not exist. Our shell construction in 2014/15 had 35 pages for the tender (without roof and windows).
For example, the roof structure was tendered like this (just an excerpt) – qualities and quantities or tasks. To create such tenders, people usually have vocational training or even a university degree.
Just as an example: would you know anything about item 01.008? If you don’t request these things, you end up with generic rafter ends and have to paint them yourself. General contractor 1 includes these items (maybe without commenting), general contractor 2 does not. But general contractor 2’s offer is cheaper. Can you compare that?

Benzeller schrieb:

Then I have exactly what I need for each car and I can decide which one to choose in the end!

However, with different engine performances, upholstery options, trailer load capacities, and trunk sizes… you have to weigh what can’t really be compared.

Benzeller schrieb:

So there isn’t a list here that you can work through independently to create something like this for your own house?

No, that doesn’t work because every general contractor/subcontractor (GC/SC) has its own scope of work with different services. Much is similar, for example, the 30cm (12 inches) of earthworks for the foundation slab, but for custom features like electrical installations, front door types, tiles, or sanitary fittings, many offers differ.

For example, none of them include the staircase you want in their scope of work; that would be a special item… whether you get that service included in the offer is questionable.

Some build with mineral plaster as standard, while others use silicone resin plaster… it’s hard for a layperson to compare or evaluate prices.

Just the basement alone, where one supplier offers it unfinished, another finished, the next with smaller basement windows, another without plaster, etc., creates the risk of not being able to compare at all. There was a thread here recently where the difference between basements was 60,000€!

There was/are a user here who created a table for the common items in the scope of work, but I don’t remember who that was.

SaniererNRW123 schrieb:

No, it’s like going to three car dealers without knowing which brand you’ll actually get in the end. That’s how the process works.
Maybe a BMW is your goal, but the dealer offering the Dacia doesn’t say which brand they will sell you. And the price is just too tempting. Maybe you realize it while the car is being produced because the dealer asks if you want a navigation system and what size the display should be. The radio works, but only shortwave, even though you actually expected DAB+ and Apple CarPlay. Then come the extras that suddenly make the Dacia as expensive as the BMW.

It works the same way in construction, in simple terms. You only get what is explicitly stated in the scope of work. No matter what you think: things not listed will be charged to you on top.

And no, such a list does not exist. Our shell construction in 2014/15 had 35 pages for the tender (excluding roof and windows).
The roof structure was tendered, for example (this is just an excerpt) – specifying quality, quantities, and tasks. You need training or even a degree to prepare such tenders.
Just as an example: do you know anything about item 01.008? If you don’t specifically request these things, you’ll end up with standard rafter ends and have to paint them yourself. General Contractor (GC) 1 includes these items (maybe without saying anything), GC 2 does not. But GC 2’s offer is cheaper. Can you compare that?

So, for example, I went to two carpentry companies I know well in the region with the architect’s plans and static calculations and had them prepare offers after personal discussions.
The same goes for windows. Of course, you can overdo it.
Comparing complete general contractor offers is almost impossible, for example.

TmMike_2 schrieb:

It is almost impossible, for example, to compare complete general contractor packages.

That’s exactly my point. Discussing each trade separately with a company is very close to issuing a tender—but it is definitely a lot of effort.

But that’s not necessary, is it? He has a finalized floor plan and is now obtaining quotes from different general contractors. These quotes include the detailed scope of work, so it’s possible to identify what is missing and what is still optional. Then, the offers can be compared, and ideally (if there is a clear preference), samples are selected or services are added to the scope of work. After that, a revised quote that fits the requirements is obtained. This can then be signed. This process also reveals the true value of the initial price quote.