ᐅ Quotes from General Contractors – Are Large Price Differences Normal?
Created on: 7 Sep 2021 20:51
K
KnibbelDibbel
Hello dear forum members,
we are currently looking for a general contractor for our construction project (semi-detached house, two stories plus a half attic).
We have received an offer of 340,000, but have also gotten initial rough estimates from three other companies ranging from 410,000 to 450,000.
Is it common for offers to vary that much?
Is a price of 340,000 considered “cheap”?
Of course, we will examine the detailed scope of work descriptions more closely, but what factors could justify such large differences?
Would you also be concerned if someone offered a fixed price without a time limit?
Best regards
we are currently looking for a general contractor for our construction project (semi-detached house, two stories plus a half attic).
We have received an offer of 340,000, but have also gotten initial rough estimates from three other companies ranging from 410,000 to 450,000.
Is it common for offers to vary that much?
Is a price of 340,000 considered “cheap”?
Of course, we will examine the detailed scope of work descriptions more closely, but what factors could justify such large differences?
Would you also be concerned if someone offered a fixed price without a time limit?
Best regards
K
KnibbelDibbel7 Sep 2021 23:0711ant schrieb:
Don't put yourself through the hassle of requesting a half semi-detached house. Plan together, even if you want to use different contractors or even different construction methods.
All quotes—even the most expensive ones—can leave out essential details. For laypeople, there's really only one bigger pitfall than a low-quality tender process, and you've hit it ("beginner's luck" gone wrong—a own goal!): challenging the Big Names at the same time.
Is this supposed to be an Olympic triathlon?
1. Half a semi-detached house; 2. Without an architect; 3. Big Names The neighbors have already finished planning; we got the plot as a follow-up. They are building with Weberhaus and have already signed their contract, etc.
We have their designs for reference.
What is the downside of going with Big Names?
How would you approach this?
An architect is even more expensive...
Also, some smaller companies have declined due to too many orders...
KnibbelDibbel schrieb:
The neighbors have already completed their planning; we got the plot through a follow-up procedure. They are building with Weberhaus and have signed their contract, etc. We have their designs for reference.Oh yes, I forgot:KnibbelDibbel schrieb:
Our neighbors have already fully planned their house with Weberhaus. We acquired the plot through a municipal follow-up procedure and do not want a prefabricated house.It’s good that you know their plans.KnibbelDibbel schrieb:
What’s wrong with big-name companies?Primarily, the lack of equal footing. In business, I prefer to be a partner rather than a victim.KnibbelDibbel schrieb:
How would you proceed? An architect is even more expensive.An architect is not more expensive. What you nominally save on architect fees with the general contractor’s “yes-man” you pay for with poor workmanship due to a lack of detailed planning—most visible in drywall enclosures of pipes and cables. I would always plan with a self-hired architect, have them prepare the tender, and also supervise the construction. See “On Site Managers and ... Site Managers” (I’m not allowed to link it here, but you can contact me—see “Information” in my profile—if Google doesn’t find it).https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
KnibbelDibbel schrieb:
Hello dear forum members,
We are currently looking for a general contractor for our building project (semi-detached house, 2 stories + half attic).
We have received an offer of 340,000, but three other companies have given initial estimates between 410,000 and 450,000.
Is it really common for offers to differ so much?
Is a price of 340,000 already considered “cheap”?
Of course, we will take a closer look at the scope of work descriptions, but which factors could justify such large differences?
Would you also be suspicious if someone offers a fixed price with no time limit?
Best regards Who left out the time limit in the offer?
KnibbelDibbel schrieb:
No architect, contacted some larger companies.
The cheapest offers came from Helma and a local general contractor, the more expensive ones were Viebrockhaus and two other local companies...
Best regards I would be very interested to know how Helma differs from Viebrockhaus, and whether they are really better?
Please explain this in more detail.
H
hampshire8 Sep 2021 15:40Before you try to compare companies, compare the quotes. How are the individual specifications described? What is not mentioned? The differences are likely in the offered scope of work.
Lois L. schrieb:
how Helma differs from ViebrockhausSimply put: Helma's style is sporty and simple, compared to the more rustic look of Viebrockhaus. In typical requests from non-professional planners asking for "around four hundred cubic meters of house," Helma usually comes in at a lower nominal amount, as expected.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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