Hello everyone,
I am currently in the final selection phase for my house project. One of the providers has offered to come to the site for an informal meeting with the architect.
I think that’s great.
Besides questions about orientation, size, elevation profile, demolition, details of the offer, and costs – what questions would you ask the architect in such a meeting?
Regards, Rosmarin
I am currently in the final selection phase for my house project. One of the providers has offered to come to the site for an informal meeting with the architect.
I think that’s great.
Besides questions about orientation, size, elevation profile, demolition, details of the offer, and costs – what questions would you ask the architect in such a meeting?
Regards, Rosmarin
Does the general contractor handle the demolition permit?
Plan with a buffer
We received a quote for the complete demolition.
We had separate quotes for the foundation slab, and then an additional five-figure amount was added.
The slurry tank was larger and the backfilling was forgotten in the calculations.
The surveying was off; we kept the old retaining wall.
After that, leveling was done, and we had to lower it further.
Roof waterproofing of the old basement was about three times more expensive than planned (it also took months to find someone for the job).
Waterproofing and plastering of the old concrete retaining wall was forgotten.
If nothing else has been discussed yet, the architect should ask some questions. Consider your hobbies, what makes you different, and what you value.
Observe the architect’s approach. Is he really trying to create something custom, or is he just trying to find out whether model house A or B fits better?
Your building project is somewhat more complex than model house A on a flat lot.
Plan with a buffer
We received a quote for the complete demolition.
We had separate quotes for the foundation slab, and then an additional five-figure amount was added.
The slurry tank was larger and the backfilling was forgotten in the calculations.
The surveying was off; we kept the old retaining wall.
After that, leveling was done, and we had to lower it further.
Roof waterproofing of the old basement was about three times more expensive than planned (it also took months to find someone for the job).
Waterproofing and plastering of the old concrete retaining wall was forgotten.
If nothing else has been discussed yet, the architect should ask some questions. Consider your hobbies, what makes you different, and what you value.
Observe the architect’s approach. Is he really trying to create something custom, or is he just trying to find out whether model house A or B fits better?
Your building project is somewhat more complex than model house A on a flat lot.
Rosmarin schrieb:
The existing house must be demolished, haydee schrieb:
Is the general contractor submitting the demolition permit / planning permission?
Plan with a buffer. Before a major excavation demolition, I would always check if the existing basement can be retained in a sensible way (foundation, utility entries, storage room: then those issues are already settled). Demolition and soil replacement are nowadays often unexpected cost factors that are difficult to estimate accurately.
haydee schrieb:
See how the architect approaches it. Are they truly aiming for a custom design, or just looking to fit pattern house A or B? With a general contractor, the latter is usually preferred. If such a standard model house fits, that’s fine; individual planning is often overrated emotionally. However, the more changes or adjustments a standard model house undergoes, the better it is to have a consistent custom design. A standard model house is only as valuable as its tested routine details compensate for the lack of personal custom features.
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
The demolition might possibly be done by the general contractor as well.
Unfortunately, the basement cannot be retained, as it is only a half-basement and partially underground.
This would not be cost-effective when considering the required insulation of the slab-on-grade.
I wanted to give a brief update on the meeting with the architect and sales manager:
The discussion lasted about 2.5 hours and was very friendly and pleasant, without any sales pitches.
The local conditions were inspected, and detailed questions were answered regarding elevation profile, drainage, piping and connections, building orientation and height, carport and garage, etc. The remaining time was used to roughly outline and note down wishes and ideas for the room layout.
Good feeling, a solid initial step—now we wait and compare the offers.
Thanks again for the input.
Unfortunately, the basement cannot be retained, as it is only a half-basement and partially underground.
This would not be cost-effective when considering the required insulation of the slab-on-grade.
I wanted to give a brief update on the meeting with the architect and sales manager:
The discussion lasted about 2.5 hours and was very friendly and pleasant, without any sales pitches.
The local conditions were inspected, and detailed questions were answered regarding elevation profile, drainage, piping and connections, building orientation and height, carport and garage, etc. The remaining time was used to roughly outline and note down wishes and ideas for the room layout.
Good feeling, a solid initial step—now we wait and compare the offers.
Thanks again for the input.
Just occurred to me, is it known where the sewage connects to the main sewer, and where the water and electricity enter the property?
It was quite a search in our case. My mother remembered some details, my great-uncle too, and fortunately an elderly man from the village. Then it all came together. It was a mix from different construction phases.
The neighbors had to have the sewer inspected.
If the main contractor’s architect doesn’t handle the demolition permit, you will need a second architect.
It was quite a search in our case. My mother remembered some details, my great-uncle too, and fortunately an elderly man from the village. Then it all came together. It was a mix from different construction phases.
The neighbors had to have the sewer inspected.
If the main contractor’s architect doesn’t handle the demolition permit, you will need a second architect.
When it comes to permits.
Neither with us (which I can still understand, as much of it dates back to before the war) nor with the neighbors, now former neighbors, was everything in order (the street was from the 1980s, so it should have been fine).
Is it possible without? I don’t know anyone who demolished a house without a permit. Ok, for us it was more complicated, but even the small housing estate house, 200 meters (220 yards) away, needed one.
Neither with us (which I can still understand, as much of it dates back to before the war) nor with the neighbors, now former neighbors, was everything in order (the street was from the 1980s, so it should have been fine).
Is it possible without? I don’t know anyone who demolished a house without a permit. Ok, for us it was more complicated, but even the small housing estate house, 200 meters (220 yards) away, needed one.
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