ᐅ When is the contract typically signed with the general contractor?

Dear Forum,
dear general contractor (GC) experienced homeowners ;-)

The architectural plans have been submitted to local GCs.
We have received offers.

We have adjusted the “rough” details – blinds, sliding doors, basement fittings, windows, staircase...
For every finer detail we brought up – interior plaster, doors, window sills, electrical items like switches, etc. – we were told this will be finalized during the construction planning and EVERYTHING is possible....

Now we want to proceed with a GC.
How detailed should we go before signing the contract?

How many meetings did you have, and how detailed did you get before signing your GC contract?
Signing after only 1-2 meetings feels a bit strange; what else should be clarified beforehand?

Thanks and best regards
Gerddieter

I recall three on-site meetings.
1) Getting to know each other and clarifying expectations. After that, a commitment—“we will build with you.”
2) Discussions of the initial draft, followed by several emails and phone calls until the final plan was approved. This process also involved pricing.
3) Final meeting with adjustment of price and payment installments, finalizing extras and the plan for how the house should be placed on the land. Beforehand, the builder visited the property. At the end of the third meeting, my wife, the builder, and I stood up and shook hands. That was the contract. His secretary, who was present, repeated everything that had been discussed. This was later documented in a protocol to ensure everyone clearly understood what we had agreed on. There was no other written document.
Everything was then built exactly as planned. Of course, some mutual trust is necessary. But you can tell whether the other party is genuine or not.

Gerddieter schrieb:

Dear forum,
dear clients experienced with general contractors (GCs) ;-)

The architects’ plans were submitted to local general contractors.
We have received offers.

We adjusted the "major" details – blinds, sliding doors, basement fittings, windows, stairs…
For every finer detail we raised – interior plaster, doors, window sills, electrical items like switches, etc. – we were told that this will be addressed in the working drawings and EVERYTHING is possible…

Now we want to proceed with a general contractor.
How far into the details should we go before signing the contract?

How many meetings did you usually have, and how detailed did you get before signing your GC contract?
Signing after 1-2 meetings feels strange; what else should be clarified beforehand?

Thanks and best regards
GD

We met a maximum of three times before we committed ourselves.

However, we first signed a planning contract. After building approval/planning permission was granted, we signed the construction contract. The price from the offer (before the planning contract) remained valid until now (foundation slab completed). According to the managing director of the GC, this price applies until completion.

Gerddieter schrieb:

The architectural plans were submitted to local general contractors.

So you have now received some that seem sufficiently buildable to you. That’s good to hear.

Gerddieter schrieb:

We have adjusted the “rough” details – roller shutters, sliding doors, basement fittings, windows, stairs…
For every finer detail we mentioned – interior plaster, doors, windowsills, electrical items like switches, etc. – they said that would be covered in the working drawings and that EVERYTHING would be possible…

The working drawings will include the locations of switches and dimensions of windowsills (but not their quality) and other such details, about which the client usually cannot provide an informed opinion anyway, and which only the formwork carpenter and rebar bender need to know. In short: “everything you see in the final result” should be finalized (including timing) before signing. For everything contractually agreed upon, you are the client – for everything else, you’re just asking. By the way, a general contractor who says “everything is possible” has copied that phrase from a real estate agent ;-)

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Gerddieter schrieb:

How many times did you meet

3 times:
1. Introduction, getting to know each other, casual talk, handing over the construction specification
Phone calls and emails regarding cost breakdowns
2. Casual talk, handing over the contract, then several phone calls/emails about additional items
3. Signatures

We signed the contract after we had already started building (I believe the shell of the house was even up by then). Of course, we were familiar with the contract itself and everything had been discussed... but the construction company took a long time to present anything for us to sign. We were wondering if it was even possible to build without a contract. It was a construction company from the surrounding area, and there was a pleasant relationship of trust.