Architect and general contractor in combination?

Well, then let's try to specify the basic problem a bit ...

Is it supposed to be a solid house?

Yes - sorry - we want to build a solid house! The plot is on a slope and therefore most prefabricated components and building modules are out of the question. So we will build very individually... but can't a general contractor also do that? I would have an architect do our individual planning, only then during construction I would use the general contractor and hire him as site manager and additionally have our architect supervise the construction on an hourly basis... or would it be better if I just took the architect - basically everything from planning to site management - all in one hand? Because the general contractor also earns on top of that...???

Is this hybrid model so rare?

Thanks & regards

So we will build very individually ... but can't a general contractor also do that?

Yes.

I would actually have an architect do our individual planning, then during construction I would rely on the general contractor and commission him as construction manager and additionally employ our architect on an hourly basis as construction supervisor ...

Also the execution planning, construction scheduling, coordination of cross-trade services, etc. ... ?

.. or would I be better off just using the architect – so to speak everything in one hand from planning to construction management?

From my point of view, yes.
The architect should definitely have at least a "say" in the selection of construction partners!

Is this hybrid model so rare?

I think so, since it is not particularly liked by either architects or general contractors.

Contacting and discussing issues with both partner groups might help ... because it depends on individual philosophies, expertise, and experience! Reference projects can also be helpful here.

KPS

Thank you for the answer!

Just one more question for the pro - regarding this, I have spoken in detail again with our preferred architect about Gu/single contract award.
Result: He seems to me to be a capable planner and also site manager (lots of experience and good references) and he would carry out the single contract award with us and then take over the award and complete site management (i.e. all architectural services).

On the other hand, he also suggests the GU model with him on board... it looks like this: He does the complete architectural service again (planning, award, site management as above) - however, he would then like to bring a GU on board who would then do the construction. He says a GU could partly offer better conditions than the single trade contract award... is that true? Doesn’t the quality suffer from that? GU also wants to make a profit... Also, the architect definitely has less to do than with the single trade contract award - isn’t he making life easier for himself with this hybrid GU model... especially how is that remunerated?

He suggested that we get offers for both models... and clearly we should then make the decision - but what do the pros say about this???

Thanks for the tips...
Ramade

Hello,

On the other hand, he also suggests the general contractor model with him on board... it looks like this: He does the complete architectural service again (planning, awarding, construction supervision as above) - but then he would like to bring a general contractor on board who will carry out the construction. He says a general contractor could sometimes offer better conditions than awarding individual trades... is that true?

Mostly when the architect and the general contractor do not know each other very well. However, building services are often neglected, especially the planning!

Doesn't the quality suffer because of that?

Not really on the construction side, because you have hired the architect for that, unfortunately more and more so on the building services side.

The general contractor also wants to make money...

Everyone involved in construction wants that.

Besides, the architect definitely has less to do than with awarding individual trades - doesn't he make life easier for himself with this hybrid general contractor model... especially how is that compensated?

Awarding individually, tenders, and comparing offers also cost money! The architect does not do this for free. These services would therefore be to the disadvantage of the architect!
Regards

If a draftsman, contractor, or construction manager cannot perform all services correctly by themselves, corresponding partial services must be delegated to specialist planners, executing specialist companies, and specialist construction managers.

However, quality requires sustainable prices in the long run.

In our "stingy is cool" culture, the misconception is widespread that it can work differently.

Quite often, supposed price advantages then turn into additional costs for lawyers, experts, judges, ... without any construction defects being remedied as a result.

Checking reference information by appropriate inquiries with the respective clients could prevent this.

It should be such that everyone involved in the construction "knows each other well," but with the aim of achieving the jointly owed construction target!

If a draftsperson, builder, or construction manager cannot professionally execute all services themselves, corresponding partial services must be delegated to specialist planners, executing specialist companies, and specialist construction managers.

That is how it should be, but in practice, especially in building services engineering, it looks different. In the single-family/two-family house sector, heating is mostly not calculated, but estimated! However, system installers know the levers to make the heating "warm." Whether the system runs economically cannot be assessed by the customer due to lack of comparison.

Quality, however, requires adequate prices in the long run. In our "stingy-is-cool" landscape, the misconception is widespread that it also works otherwise.

Correct, but the non-specialist is hardly able to assess what is absolutely necessary and what one might be able to do without. Existing conflicts of interest are not recognized; contracts with system installers are concluded without specifying technical parameters. For over 90% of heating systems in single-family and two-family houses, no calculation documents exist for heating load, heating surface sizing, piping network, pump selection.

Quite often, supposed price advantages then turn into additional costs for lawyers, experts, judges, ... without any construction defects being able to be remedied as a result.

If it ever comes to that at all. Mostly, building services systems operate unnoticed by the operator for years (ND=20..25) largely uneconomically.