ᐅ Planning/Architect, possible execution by a prefab home supplier
Created on: 28 May 2013 08:15
M
moser7
Good morning!
We can now make our dream of owning a single-family house come true. It was almost impossible to find a nice plot here, but we finally succeeded.
We want to start the actual construction next spring and are currently gathering ideas. Like many others, we are facing the decision between a solid construction (e.g., T8) with individual contracts or a high-quality timber house builder offering a turnkey solution. To estimate the costs for solid construction, we basically need at least a preliminary design. There are many construction companies in our area, but hardly any offer turnkey solutions. Therefore, to really compare the offers, the same basis must be sent to all trades for solid construction and to the turnkey builders.
Now the question: An architect doesn’t plan these things for free. Do you have any experience whether providers like Sonnleitner, Adlerhaus, Gruber Naturholzhaus, i.e., turnkey builders, offer a meaningful discount if the planning is completely done by an external architect? Usually, the employees of the companies handle all planning themselves. If that is no longer the case, is this really reflected in the price? Of course, these plans still need to be processed for production.
It would be somewhat frustrating to choose a turnkey timber house builder and spend an additional 20,000 EUR on an architect that in the end wasn’t even necessary.
Context:
Single-family house, 1.5 or 2 stories
Approx. 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft)
Living and dining area
Expected construction cost including basement but excluding garden/exterior approx. 360,000 EUR (Rainwater retention required, soil replacement on building site due to peat layer)
Regards
Benjamin
We can now make our dream of owning a single-family house come true. It was almost impossible to find a nice plot here, but we finally succeeded.
We want to start the actual construction next spring and are currently gathering ideas. Like many others, we are facing the decision between a solid construction (e.g., T8) with individual contracts or a high-quality timber house builder offering a turnkey solution. To estimate the costs for solid construction, we basically need at least a preliminary design. There are many construction companies in our area, but hardly any offer turnkey solutions. Therefore, to really compare the offers, the same basis must be sent to all trades for solid construction and to the turnkey builders.
Now the question: An architect doesn’t plan these things for free. Do you have any experience whether providers like Sonnleitner, Adlerhaus, Gruber Naturholzhaus, i.e., turnkey builders, offer a meaningful discount if the planning is completely done by an external architect? Usually, the employees of the companies handle all planning themselves. If that is no longer the case, is this really reflected in the price? Of course, these plans still need to be processed for production.
It would be somewhat frustrating to choose a turnkey timber house builder and spend an additional 20,000 EUR on an architect that in the end wasn’t even necessary.
Context:
Single-family house, 1.5 or 2 stories
Approx. 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft)
Living and dining area
Expected construction cost including basement but excluding garden/exterior approx. 360,000 EUR (Rainwater retention required, soil replacement on building site due to peat layer)
Regards
Benjamin
moser7 schrieb:
This only applies to timber house builders who allow completely free planning; for me, nothing else is an option. (Sonnleitner, Adlerhaus etc.) I don’t want to advertise, so no names here – happy to share them via private message: Our prefab house manufacturer works exclusively with independent architects. The company always has external architects handle phases I to III, meaning the customer is free to choose who they work with. Therefore, you can also bring your own plans to this provider.
Hello,
I would recommend the following approach: Find a prefabricated house provider you trust (whether solid construction or timber frame does not matter). Discuss your desired house with them and ask for a fixed all-inclusive price including all requested services. When a client comes to me and requests such an offer, we agree on a planning fee that is waived upon contract signing. If the client decides not to build with us and instead has the planning done by a competitor, this planning fee becomes payable, and the client may use the design. At this stage, it is not about a complete plan but rather a design draft.
A provider or consultant who does not agree to this may not be the right partner...
Regards
I would recommend the following approach: Find a prefabricated house provider you trust (whether solid construction or timber frame does not matter). Discuss your desired house with them and ask for a fixed all-inclusive price including all requested services. When a client comes to me and requests such an offer, we agree on a planning fee that is waived upon contract signing. If the client decides not to build with us and instead has the planning done by a competitor, this planning fee becomes payable, and the client may use the design. At this stage, it is not about a complete plan but rather a design draft.
A provider or consultant who does not agree to this may not be the right partner...
Regards
B
Bauexperte3 Jun 2013 18:37Hello,
Best regards, Bauexperte
VDG schrieb:Please clarify – it is new to me that a planning contract would be required for the services provided by Antje or Petra during the schematic design phase (no special requirements, routine work)?
When a client comes to me and requests such an offer, we agree on a fixed planning fee which becomes void upon awarding the contract. If the client does not build with us and instead has the planning carried out by a competitor, this planning fee becomes due and they can use the design.
VDG schrieb:Correct. The design – as long as there are no difficult site conditions – is usually free of charge with the vast majority of reputable providers.
At this stage, it is not about a complete plan but a design.
A provider or consultant who does not acknowledge this may not be the right partner...
Best regards, Bauexperte
Hello Building Expert,
The so-called planning flat fee (somewhat pretentiously expressed) means that if a prospect comes to me and does not want a house from a catalog of 100 pre-designed homes, I will, of course, sit down with them and develop a design together. This design is drafted using CAD software and can be revised upon request, and finally costed.
The prospect receives a complete fixed-price offer along with a custom house drawing at a scale of 1:100, including floor plans, elevations, and sections. With these plans, the hopefully future client can also approach a competitor to request a 2nd or 3rd offer—this is not a problem from my side.
For this, a refundable fee of 500 euros (approximately $500) applies. If a contract is concluded, this flat fee is waived. If no contract results, the fee is due. A prospect who is not willing to pay this 500-euro fee for this service is not the right partner in this case.
If a client comes with a completed (executable) plan, this would, of course, be costed free of charge…
Regards
The so-called planning flat fee (somewhat pretentiously expressed) means that if a prospect comes to me and does not want a house from a catalog of 100 pre-designed homes, I will, of course, sit down with them and develop a design together. This design is drafted using CAD software and can be revised upon request, and finally costed.
The prospect receives a complete fixed-price offer along with a custom house drawing at a scale of 1:100, including floor plans, elevations, and sections. With these plans, the hopefully future client can also approach a competitor to request a 2nd or 3rd offer—this is not a problem from my side.
For this, a refundable fee of 500 euros (approximately $500) applies. If a contract is concluded, this flat fee is waived. If no contract results, the fee is due. A prospect who is not willing to pay this 500-euro fee for this service is not the right partner in this case.
If a client comes with a completed (executable) plan, this would, of course, be costed free of charge…
Regards
B
Bauexperte3 Jun 2013 20:04Hello again,
Regards, Bauexperte
VDG schrieb:That was/is clear to me and I understood it correctly.
By the planning fee (a somewhat pretentious term), it means that if a prospective client comes to me and does not want a house from a catalog of 100 houses ...[...|
VDG schrieb:This is new to me; so far it has always been free, at least from the main office. From this approach, I understand that you base your decision regarding the consultation effort on the willingness of a prospective client to invest money in a planning assignment.
[...] a reservation fee of 500 € applies. If a contract is concluded, this fee is waived. If no contract is concluded, the fee is charged. A prospective client who is not willing to pay 500 € for this service is not the right partner for me in this case.
Regards, Bauexperte
...whether it would have been worth 500 euros to me, I probably would only know afterwards...
Of course, it is difficult at the beginning of a conversation to decide if the other party will provide something useful that fits our needs on paper, and so there is the risk that 500 euros are lost.
Currently, we are considering whether to proceed with or without an architect. My budget says save.
After deducting all additional costs and the necessary new kitchen, etc., about 325,000 euros remain for the house with a double garage. Hm.
Regards
Benjamin
Of course, it is difficult at the beginning of a conversation to decide if the other party will provide something useful that fits our needs on paper, and so there is the risk that 500 euros are lost.
Currently, we are considering whether to proceed with or without an architect. My budget says save.
After deducting all additional costs and the necessary new kitchen, etc., about 325,000 euros remain for the house with a double garage. Hm.
Regards
Benjamin
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