ᐅ Who has built a house with an architect? Any experiences to share?
Created on: 13 Aug 2015 21:29
X
xycrazy
Hello everyone,
Until yesterday, we were basically agreed that we wanted to work with a reputable local builder for a turnkey project. However, after receiving the new price update yesterday, we were shocked. It is €30,000 to €40,000 (about $32,000 to $43,000) higher than what was initially quoted to us in the last conversation—even though we are now saving several thousand euros on other costs like excavation, disposal, and the basement due to new circumstances. We are looking at costs of around €1782 per square meter (about $165 per square foot) of heated living space, including the basement and all additional construction costs, but excluding utility connection fees and a double garage for €25,000 (with rooftop terrace). This seems quite high to me. Of course, the builder has an excellent reputation, which we verified, but I’m afraid we are paying a premium for that.
That said, we are now so frustrated that we are considering whether it might be better to work with an architect instead. The advantages in our view would be full cost transparency in the offers, more flexibility, and a better house design tailored to our preferences in terms of appearance. The disadvantages would be the architect’s fee and the lack of price certainty compared to a fixed-price contract. However, there is some hope that it might turn out cheaper—or at least that for the same budget we would get a higher standard, such as a full basement instead of just a partial one, and so on.
I would therefore appreciate hearing about your experiences with architects. Have you worked with them, and if so, how did it go? Did you stay within budget? If not, what was the reason? And if you decided against using an architect, what led to that decision? Perhaps some of you had contact with architects but some aspects put you off? I am open to all feedback.
Thank you!
Best regards
Until yesterday, we were basically agreed that we wanted to work with a reputable local builder for a turnkey project. However, after receiving the new price update yesterday, we were shocked. It is €30,000 to €40,000 (about $32,000 to $43,000) higher than what was initially quoted to us in the last conversation—even though we are now saving several thousand euros on other costs like excavation, disposal, and the basement due to new circumstances. We are looking at costs of around €1782 per square meter (about $165 per square foot) of heated living space, including the basement and all additional construction costs, but excluding utility connection fees and a double garage for €25,000 (with rooftop terrace). This seems quite high to me. Of course, the builder has an excellent reputation, which we verified, but I’m afraid we are paying a premium for that.
That said, we are now so frustrated that we are considering whether it might be better to work with an architect instead. The advantages in our view would be full cost transparency in the offers, more flexibility, and a better house design tailored to our preferences in terms of appearance. The disadvantages would be the architect’s fee and the lack of price certainty compared to a fixed-price contract. However, there is some hope that it might turn out cheaper—or at least that for the same budget we would get a higher standard, such as a full basement instead of just a partial one, and so on.
I would therefore appreciate hearing about your experiences with architects. Have you worked with them, and if so, how did it go? Did you stay within budget? If not, what was the reason? And if you decided against using an architect, what led to that decision? Perhaps some of you had contact with architects but some aspects put you off? I am open to all feedback.
Thank you!
Best regards
N
nordanney30 Aug 2015 12:27xycrazy schrieb:
We have clearly decided against using an architect. It's crazy what some of them charge. And within our family, there is currently a renovation going on with an architect... The first trade (shell construction) ended up being a modest €25,000 (about $27,000) more expensive... Reason given: the craftsmen increased their prices...... and you believe that your general contractor (GC) – who might be working with the same craftsmen as for separate trade contracting – will then offer a lower price? The GC will more likely include a contingency buffer in their estimate to cover potential price increases for labor (or materials). By the way, there is also the option to have the entire design done by an architect (which can result in a more carefully designed house since they work exclusively for you) and have the construction managed by a GC (however, in our case, this was significantly more expensive than managing the trades separately).
Our architect also offers construction services as a general contractor but has told us directly that the fixed price includes a cost buffer. Ultimately, a fixed price guarantee, besides the building itself, is a service that no one provides for free. The trades involved are supposed to follow market prices as a rule. If something is significantly cheaper, considerable cost-cutting has been done somewhere. Which option have you decided on? Is it acceptable to ask about the price per cubic meter or square meter?
S
Sebastian7930 Aug 2015 21:53xycrazy schrieb:
And a relative is currently renovating with an architect... The first trade (shell construction) has already become a modest 25,000 euros more expensive... Reason: the craftsmen increased their rates...Is this about the offer or the execution stage? The latter seems unlikely—unless the client made many changes after planning.
According to the offer, our shell builder was 35,000 euros over the architect’s estimate. By now, we are almost 30,000 euros below the offer—there’s still a little to add, but in the end, we will stay below the estimate.
Häuslebau3r31 Aug 2015 08:21I find this thread very interesting right now, as we are currently facing the same questions.
Architect, construction company — what might be better, or should we choose one where we know we pay for quality and reputation?
A friend of mine said he would only build with an architect (he runs a carpentry/roofing business himself), so this is based on his experience.
For me as a layperson, it’s clearly difficult to choose among the many architects you find after just a quick search... even deciding which ones to contact is a challenge. In my case, I would probably get recommendations from my friend, but still.
In the end, I’m not really sure what would be safer or possibly more affordable. At the moment, I have the impression that working with an architect would provide better oversight (monitoring) of the project. Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know.
What criteria do you use to make your decision? Have you already decided?
In my case, as mentioned above, a carpentry/roofing company (very good friend with his own business) and a heating technician (acquaintances at a very reputable local company) are basically already fixed options.
Architect, construction company — what might be better, or should we choose one where we know we pay for quality and reputation?
A friend of mine said he would only build with an architect (he runs a carpentry/roofing business himself), so this is based on his experience.
For me as a layperson, it’s clearly difficult to choose among the many architects you find after just a quick search... even deciding which ones to contact is a challenge. In my case, I would probably get recommendations from my friend, but still.
In the end, I’m not really sure what would be safer or possibly more affordable. At the moment, I have the impression that working with an architect would provide better oversight (monitoring) of the project. Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know.
What criteria do you use to make your decision? Have you already decided?
In my case, as mentioned above, a carpentry/roofing company (very good friend with his own business) and a heating technician (acquaintances at a very reputable local company) are basically already fixed options.
B
Bauexperte31 Aug 2015 09:34Häuslebau3r schrieb:
In my case, as shown above, for example, the carpentry/roofing work (a very good friend with his own company) and the heating technician (acquaintances at a very reputable local company) are basically already decided. Then you have—perhaps unconsciously—already chosen to work with an architect, because with a traditional fixed-price contract as a general contractor / main contractor you won’t be able to include these "acquaintances" or exclude both trades from the contract.
Regards, Bauexperte
Similar topics