ᐅ Semi-detached house: architect or general contractor / prefab or traditional construction
Created on: 25 Apr 2015 16:20
B
Bader
Hello, I’m new here and just starting the planning phase:
We are going to build a semi-detached house, but the question is what is generally considered the best approach: prefabricated house with timber frame construction (we know someone for that) or a solid, masonry-built house? I’ve heard that prefabricated houses are not as good for sound insulation or only achieve it at high costs. But with a semi-detached house, couldn’t that quickly cause issues between the two halves?
Should we simply request quotes from house builders (e.g., Massivhaus Mittelrhein, Zenz Hausbau) and discuss all details with them? Or consider an option with an architect?
1. Use an architect for the entire process, although our architect friend does not come from our local area. Would it still make sense to hire them for all phases of service (including tendering, supervision, and coordination)?
2. Or have the architect just create a design and then find a general contractor (GC) to manage the build, with the architect at least reviewing the GC contract?
Oh, there are so many more questions burning in my mind. But maybe your experiences can help me a bit.
Thanks, Caroline
We are going to build a semi-detached house, but the question is what is generally considered the best approach: prefabricated house with timber frame construction (we know someone for that) or a solid, masonry-built house? I’ve heard that prefabricated houses are not as good for sound insulation or only achieve it at high costs. But with a semi-detached house, couldn’t that quickly cause issues between the two halves?
Should we simply request quotes from house builders (e.g., Massivhaus Mittelrhein, Zenz Hausbau) and discuss all details with them? Or consider an option with an architect?
1. Use an architect for the entire process, although our architect friend does not come from our local area. Would it still make sense to hire them for all phases of service (including tendering, supervision, and coordination)?
2. Or have the architect just create a design and then find a general contractor (GC) to manage the build, with the architect at least reviewing the GC contract?
Oh, there are so many more questions burning in my mind. But maybe your experiences can help me a bit.
Thanks, Caroline
Cordi, people often throw around comments like "Does it make sense to hire an architect from far away?"
What does "far away" mean? Do you know them? Are they qualified? For the One World Trade Center, architects and planners from far away were hired—but whether that makes sense for your 120 m² (1,292 sq ft) single-family home with a gable roof is questionable. For your extravagant half-timbered Bauhaus-style villa with a light well, corner windows, and an industrial chimney, it might make more sense.
Still, you can’t really answer the question like that. Why don’t you choose the architect next door? Is there no one nearby? Does the architect from far away charge for each trip? Do you have to travel two hours every time you want to meet them? What exactly do you want them to do? Phases 1–3 of the services or the entire package?
What does "far away" mean? Do you know them? Are they qualified? For the One World Trade Center, architects and planners from far away were hired—but whether that makes sense for your 120 m² (1,292 sq ft) single-family home with a gable roof is questionable. For your extravagant half-timbered Bauhaus-style villa with a light well, corner windows, and an industrial chimney, it might make more sense.
Still, you can’t really answer the question like that. Why don’t you choose the architect next door? Is there no one nearby? Does the architect from far away charge for each trip? Do you have to travel two hours every time you want to meet them? What exactly do you want them to do? Phases 1–3 of the services or the entire package?
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