Hello House Building Forum Community,
My wife and I are in the very early planning stage of our house construction project. Currently, we are looking for a suitable architect who can design our home individually and manage the construction competently. In this context, I would like to know your opinion on how important the architect’s proximity to the construction site is. Is there any guideline or recommendation regarding the maximum distance for a practical collaboration, and at what point does distance become a disadvantage? How often is the architect typically present on site during the construction phase?
I appreciate any feedback.
Best regards,
sirtpx
My wife and I are in the very early planning stage of our house construction project. Currently, we are looking for a suitable architect who can design our home individually and manage the construction competently. In this context, I would like to know your opinion on how important the architect’s proximity to the construction site is. Is there any guideline or recommendation regarding the maximum distance for a practical collaboration, and at what point does distance become a disadvantage? How often is the architect typically present on site during the construction phase?
I appreciate any feedback.
Best regards,
sirtpx
Our (family’s) architect lives and works 600 km (370 miles) away from the construction site. This is not a problem during the initial concept and planning phases. He can collaborate with his long-established engineers for structural analysis, heating/plumbing, electrical systems, etc.
When it comes to the tendering process, a local architect near the construction site should assist. Only they have a network of local contractors and are familiar with the specific conditions of building in the area. A construction site in southern Germany is managed differently than one in Berlin. Also, partially different building materials are available. This local architect sends out the tenders, answers inquiries, and negotiates the offers. Do it this way. We did not and it cost us a lot of time and stress.
The design architect then does not need to visit the site frequently—every 1 to 2 months is sufficient. The onsite architect, however, should be present at least once a week or at important appointments (inspections, meetings with tradespeople, critical construction phases). According to the HOAI (Official Scale of Fees for Services by Architects and Engineers), the architect in charge of site supervision only has to ensure that the work is carried out correctly. Whether they visit the site once or 20 times per week is up to them.
Always use local geotechnical experts or soil surveyors! Remote assessments tend to fail!
When it comes to the tendering process, a local architect near the construction site should assist. Only they have a network of local contractors and are familiar with the specific conditions of building in the area. A construction site in southern Germany is managed differently than one in Berlin. Also, partially different building materials are available. This local architect sends out the tenders, answers inquiries, and negotiates the offers. Do it this way. We did not and it cost us a lot of time and stress.
The design architect then does not need to visit the site frequently—every 1 to 2 months is sufficient. The onsite architect, however, should be present at least once a week or at important appointments (inspections, meetings with tradespeople, critical construction phases). According to the HOAI (Official Scale of Fees for Services by Architects and Engineers), the architect in charge of site supervision only has to ensure that the work is carried out correctly. Whether they visit the site once or 20 times per week is up to them.
Always use local geotechnical experts or soil surveyors! Remote assessments tend to fail!
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