ᐅ Prefabricated House Manufacturers: Validity of Their Quotes and Promotions?

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for your advice again.

Here is the situation:

We have an offer from a prefabricated house manufacturer. We like the floor plan, the features, and the price seems right. Our gut feeling is good, and we can imagine building a timber frame house with them. The consultant is very competent, fair, and has promptly fulfilled or tried to fulfill all our wishes.

As an alternative, although with a time delay due to vacation, we requested an offer from a regional masonry house builder. We also like their floor plan (slightly less ideal but still good), and the company as well as the materials used make a very good impression. They have recently built numerous houses in our area (including for friends), and these turned out very well. So, if the price fits, we could also imagine a project with them. The architect and company owner also seem very competent and are very friendly.

In the end, it would basically come down to the traditional debate of masonry versus timber frame.

The problem is the following:

The offer from the timber frame provider, supported by vouchers and promotions, is officially valid until 28.02.2018, and we potentially have an appointment next week to sign the contract.

The offer from the masonry builder, in response to my inquiry, will last until the end of next week. Not all offers or prices from subcontractors are available yet.

The risk is missing out on the timber frame offer and having the masonry option exceed our budget (the builder hinted it might just fit). Or taking the timber frame option with the risk of regretting it later and being tied to the contract.

How should I proceed here? Do you have any tips? Should we try to negotiate an extension for the timber frame offer?

I don’t want to rely on a right of withdrawal or similar. That could cost money, and secondly, it’s not really fair. The consultant from the prefabricated house company has been very fair, nice, and the best in his field in the prefab sector.

Thank you very much.

Best regards,

Steffen

We were in a similar situation a few months ago. In the end, we chose the solid construction house provider, whose offer was lower than that of the prefabricated house company, even after numerous vouchers from them.

From the beginning, it seemed a bit questionable to us that these companies indirectly apply pressure through their voucher campaigns.

Therefore, my advice is not to let yourself be pressured. Evaluate all options and gather more quotes; in my case, there were about 10 in the end, despite multiple deadlines for offers.

I have to give credit to the advisor; at no point did he try to pressure us or push us. I also haven’t asked yet if we could get an extension of one or two weeks.

The offer and the vouchers are limited by the provider until 28.02.2019.

But you’re right to some extent—right now, this whole process is stressing me out more than it’s enjoyable. I think that’s the wrong approach to building a house, and something should change.

On one hand, you say he doesn’t pressure you, but on the other, there are voucher promotions with expiration dates... This is a typical sales tactic. The salesperson plays the good cop, while the company behind the scenes applies pressure through the vouchers. 😉

The likelihood is very high that after the voucher promotion expires, you’ll get the same price... Or, there might coincidentally be a new voucher promotion.

I can only agree with Tego on this. With these voucher promotions, they just want to secure your signature as quickly as possible.

After the deadline passes, completely different credits, promotions, etc., suddenly appear.

At least wait for the comparison offer first, then you can still decide to sign with the prefab house provider if needed.

Have you already taken the time to have the contracts and the scope of work reviewed by professionals (lawyer, expert)?