ᐅ Recommendations for a construction company or general contractor near Offenburg/Lahr

11ant schrieb:

However, thank you for the inspiration to write a post about "Setting Objectives with the Architect." .... But thanks in advance for the reminder – it’s often hard to see the wood for the trees when it comes to the questions a prospective homeowner asks!

Great idea @11ant! Even though it’s a bit late for me.
In fact, before signing the contract, the future homeowner should be clear about what they expect from the architect and make sure to document it in writing! Usually, the homeowner doesn’t know exactly in advance...
Do I want the architect not to lose interest after the third revision of the design? Document that!
Do I want to see 3D renderings at some point? Document that!
Do I want the project to be completed by an agreed date? Document that!
....

Gerddieter schrieb:

Great idea @11ant! Even though it comes too late for me.

I have actually put this idea on my to-do list – but I’m less pessimistic that it’s too late for you.

Gerddieter schrieb:

In fact, anyone planning to build should be clear about what they expect from the architect before signing the contract and should also get it in writing!

I originally wrote this – largely inspired by you – because of the issue of “slow-moving architects,” which from my experience (more than isolated cases) seems to be a new phenomenon. But what you write further on covers other aspects, namely the changed expectations of clients, which need to be communicated:

Gerddieter schrieb:

Do I want the architect to say after the third revision of the design that they don’t want to do it anymore?

Actually, the architect owes the client one design that can get planning permission (building permit/planning permission). Architects don’t automatically expect that clients have read in forums how some clients hassle their draftsmen with countless back-and-forth revisions and may assume that this “must” be the way it is. Apart from that, in my opinion, there’s no need to waste time at the very end if the client provides a disciplined list during design development (stage 2) of what needs to be discussed.

Gerddieter schrieb:

Do I also want to be shown 3D images sometimes?

That’s not just an extra request, but it’s also somewhat risky (since it practically requires software that isn’t part of the professional planning process). In other words, one creates a separate 3D model that isn’t automatically integrated into the further planning. This process can introduce errors.

---

https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

11ant schrieb:


Actually, the architect owes the client an design that can be approved by the authorities.

But in reality, this is a very specific problem.

A couple explains their wishes, size, and room program to the architect.
The architect creates a design that hardly matches any of it.
When asked to improve it, the architect complies, and now about 50% of the original wishes are reflected.
No discussion about the facade or similar aspects has taken place yet. The kitchen should be a bit larger, the window somewhat wider, etc. After the second meeting, there is a request to include these changes.
The architect then says that an invoice must be issued now because he has already submitted two designs that he considers “approvable.”

The concrete problem: the architect delivers a design that can be approved but was never the one ordered. The client is expected to pay for it. If this is how architectural planning works, I can only advise every private homeowner not to sign standard architect contracts... otherwise, you can forget your wishes and expectations...
GD

Gerddieter schrieb:

Couple describes wishes/size/space program to architect.
Architect creates a draft that hardly corresponds to this.

A draft is created during design phase 3, which is preceded by a preliminary design in phase 2 that should have been discussed. Any requested changes should be fully incorporated from the preliminary design into the draft; otherwise, I consider design phase 3 to be inadequately completed.

---

https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/