ᐅ With or without an architect’s plan? (General contractor / shell construction)
Created on: 19 Jan 2019 21:35
L
Lucrezia
Hello!
We have a plot of land and want to build.
At the end of 2017, we contacted a log house company that immediately convinced us. We found the consultations to be good and comprehensive, the houses we visited were very nice, and the expected price was excellent. So we commissioned the experienced and friendly company architect with the first drawings and building inquiry.
Problem: For the finished house measured at the top of the foundation slab, we were initially given a price that was at least $100,000 lower than it actually would be (all just estimated because we would have to purchase the trades ourselves). Now we want to look at other providers, for example, timber frame construction, or determine the actual price of the trades.
A friend who is an architect has been trying to convince us for a long time to first create a detailed plan that not only includes the house design and floor plan but also describes all services and materials in detail, so that we can request offers from a general contractor or individual trades.
After the initial disappointment, this approach seems sensible to us in order to avoid surprises during or after the construction phase.
Problem: This detailed plan is not exactly cheap.
And I wonder: what if it is unnecessary? For example, if we hire a general contractor who provides transparent offers with no hidden costs anyway? Does such a thing exist? 😉 (It seems to me that Keitel-Haus and Hagemann are transparent. Both offer rather affordable packages including planning, submission for building permits/planning permission, etc.).
I look forward to your opinions and experiences!
We have a plot of land and want to build.
At the end of 2017, we contacted a log house company that immediately convinced us. We found the consultations to be good and comprehensive, the houses we visited were very nice, and the expected price was excellent. So we commissioned the experienced and friendly company architect with the first drawings and building inquiry.
Problem: For the finished house measured at the top of the foundation slab, we were initially given a price that was at least $100,000 lower than it actually would be (all just estimated because we would have to purchase the trades ourselves). Now we want to look at other providers, for example, timber frame construction, or determine the actual price of the trades.
A friend who is an architect has been trying to convince us for a long time to first create a detailed plan that not only includes the house design and floor plan but also describes all services and materials in detail, so that we can request offers from a general contractor or individual trades.
After the initial disappointment, this approach seems sensible to us in order to avoid surprises during or after the construction phase.
Problem: This detailed plan is not exactly cheap.
And I wonder: what if it is unnecessary? For example, if we hire a general contractor who provides transparent offers with no hidden costs anyway? Does such a thing exist? 😉 (It seems to me that Keitel-Haus and Hagemann are transparent. Both offer rather affordable packages including planning, submission for building permits/planning permission, etc.).
I look forward to your opinions and experiences!
Schlenk-Bär schrieb:
I keep having trouble with all the abbreviations. Is there an overview here in the forum? Thanks.There isn’t much, and after reading it once, you should have it memorized 😉
Scope of work description
Main contractor (general contractor)
Regarding transparent costs again:
Take the contract including the scope of work description and have it reviewed by an expert (building surveyor / independent consultant) for a few hundred euros.
The expert will work out any potential additional costs that may arise based on gaps in the scope of work description and will list any items that belong outside the house construction itself if needed.
You can also see this with your first company, which apparently would have been a good option if only you had an expert to check the price.
S
Schlenk-Bär20 Jan 2019 11:55ypg schrieb:
There isn’t that much, and you should have it nailed after reading once 😉 Thanks. A post that really helps me out 😉
LMAA – Smile more than others. Nice signature, @face26 :-)
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Schlenk-Bär schrieb:
Thanks. A post that really helps me out 😉Sorry, but you keep saying "again and again..."
And I tell you: once you have read it, as someone planning to build, it shouldn’t be difficult to remember the terms, since they concern you directly.
And if it is, just write them down.
In my response, I explained 3 abbreviations to you. Don’t complain about that!