ᐅ Request for Quotes: Tips for Hiring a Local General Contractor?
Created on: 8 Jul 2020 10:28
T
Thirteen
Hello dear forum,
We are planning to build and have already received individual quotes from local general contractors (GCs) as well as from prefabricated house manufacturers, in order to compare options.
My partner prefers solid construction, while I personally lean towards wood because of environmental reasons, but I can also very well imagine solid construction. Our joint preference, however, is more towards a local GC rather than a prefab manufacturer.
So far, all quotes from local GCs, whether solid or wood construction, have clearly exceeded those from prefab house providers. However, I have often read that local GCs are at least on par price-wise.
Do you have any tips on how to find local GCs whose prices are closer to those of prefab house manufacturers? Or should I basically forget about that? In terms of scope of work, we have naturally compared like with like.
PS: We want to build in the Main Kinzig district, close to the Fulda district.
We are planning to build and have already received individual quotes from local general contractors (GCs) as well as from prefabricated house manufacturers, in order to compare options.
My partner prefers solid construction, while I personally lean towards wood because of environmental reasons, but I can also very well imagine solid construction. Our joint preference, however, is more towards a local GC rather than a prefab manufacturer.
So far, all quotes from local GCs, whether solid or wood construction, have clearly exceeded those from prefab house providers. However, I have often read that local GCs are at least on par price-wise.
Do you have any tips on how to find local GCs whose prices are closer to those of prefab house manufacturers? Or should I basically forget about that? In terms of scope of work, we have naturally compared like with like.
PS: We want to build in the Main Kinzig district, close to the Fulda district.
Thirteen schrieb:
But such an architect is hard to find.I actually know two I could ask. You can write to me; my email at GMX (de) has the same name, and it’s close to the MKK district near FD.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
I am very, very grateful for your advice and tips!
We are currently a bit overwhelmed. What we are missing is a clear guide like “I want to build – what do I need to do and how should I proceed?” All our acquaintances and friends who have built so far chose prefabricated houses without basements. I understand that this is the simpler option. However, how exactly should we proceed, especially to avoid significantly exceeding our budget?
Until now, we always heard that prefabricated house builders are the more affordable choice, which is why we initially contacted them. But since only one of them was actually able to provide us with a reasonable offer for our budget, we started looking around for alternatives. With the prefab suppliers, we get the impression that our budget is just a rough guideline for them – they seem to think we can simply finance more. They don’t really understand that we do not want that, which makes the whole thing quite unappealing. That’s why we would prefer to turn to local general contractors, so we can also get an individual plan that fits our concept.
Honestly, though, we have no idea how to proceed here. Planner? Architect? What is the first step and what comes after?
@11ant I have sent you an email. Hopefully, it arrives.
We are currently a bit overwhelmed. What we are missing is a clear guide like “I want to build – what do I need to do and how should I proceed?” All our acquaintances and friends who have built so far chose prefabricated houses without basements. I understand that this is the simpler option. However, how exactly should we proceed, especially to avoid significantly exceeding our budget?
Until now, we always heard that prefabricated house builders are the more affordable choice, which is why we initially contacted them. But since only one of them was actually able to provide us with a reasonable offer for our budget, we started looking around for alternatives. With the prefab suppliers, we get the impression that our budget is just a rough guideline for them – they seem to think we can simply finance more. They don’t really understand that we do not want that, which makes the whole thing quite unappealing. That’s why we would prefer to turn to local general contractors, so we can also get an individual plan that fits our concept.
Honestly, though, we have no idea how to proceed here. Planner? Architect? What is the first step and what comes after?
@11ant I have sent you an email. Hopefully, it arrives.
Thirteen schrieb:
Until now, it was always said that prefab house builders are the more affordable option, [...] With prefab house providers, we feel like our budget is just a rough guideline for them – we can always finance more. [...] That’s why we’d prefer to work with local general contractors, also to get a customized design that fits our concept.
Honestly, we have no clue here, If you are "without a clue," you really need someone professional to first clarify what exactly “your concept” is. Local general contractors usually fit better operationally, but on a sloped lot, they are often only “half the solution.”
Where such huge amounts of money are involved, the vultures come circling. Or better said, the locusts who buy house provider names with a good reputation and devour naïve builders with myths like purchasing power, serial manufacturing expertise, too big to fail, price guarantees, and so forth. Unfortunately, too many builders don’t consult an architect – those who do, supposedly “to save money,” could just as well try to stop the clock, because that should save time as well.
Thirteen schrieb:
@11ant I sent you an email, hopefully it arrives Yes, even twice – however, I’m replying from a different account.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
11ant schrieb:
Especially if you have “no clue,” you need someone professional to first clarify what exactly “your concept” is. Local general contractors usually fit better operationally, but on a sloped plot of land, they alone only cover “half the job.” So, you’re saying we basically can’t avoid involving an architect?
Unfortunately, too many homebuilders don’t consult an architect – those who do so just to “save money” might as well stop the clock, because theoretically that should also save time. What do you mean by that?
I
Ideensucher8 Jul 2020 15:3611ant
[QUOTE="11ant schrieb:
Tables only capture parametrically definable dimensions, making them great for "comparing" apples and oranges, ultimately creating the deceptive illusion of having found the path to wisdom. Additionally, they only have two dimensions – so you inevitably have to include deviations as text comments. Excel – or any other spreadsheet – has the advantage that you can list all the items you find in any construction site diary – this significantly reduces the risk of missing an item in your calculations.
You can avoid text comments by listing individual items instead of grouping them under "foundation slab," for example excavation, excavation disposal, foundation slab.
It might still not be perfectly aligned, but at least it’s a comparison of red apples to green apples.
Thirteen schrieb:
You mean we basically can't avoid hiring an architect?At least not due to the plot requirements, but that's not a bad thing.Thirteen schrieb:
What do you mean by that?The architect’s fee basically pays for itself – yet many homeowners think this expense moves them further away from their goal. And that’s how they end up in the savings paradox.Ideensucher schrieb:
It might still not be exactly comparable, but at least it’s like comparing red apples to green apples.I already knew I wouldn’t convince the Excel enthusiasts.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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