Architect - Trade fair offer, pre-plan house without fixed plot

Hello.

I was at the trade fair in Rheinberg yesterday and looked at exposés etc. from various solid house providers. At one booth, an architect offered that we could sit down together and plan the house you have in mind for a price estimate. I told him that I was still in the process of exploring which options are available and that you also need to know the development plan etc. He said we could still do it anyway.

I have now first of all agreed that he can send me documents. What do you think, can the offer of the "non-binding" (my inquiry; was briefly confirmed with yes by him) be accepted or do any costs or obligations already arise, such as "if you find a plot within period X, you have to build with us/me"?

As far as I know, it is like this: The courts assume that every client knows: as soon as an architect takes action, he is entitled to charge money. Therefore, please ask the architect for information – even non-binding – otherwise you conclude a silent architect contract with him. You avoid misunderstandings if you have fixed in writing at the first contact which services you can use free of charge (not non-binding) and which not! At that time, I was naive myself and had once gotten a preliminary plan from an architect on a non-binding basis – promptly the bill arrived at the house. But you learn from mistakes ;-)

Hello,

I was at the building fair in Rheinberg yesterday and looked at exposés etc. from various solid house providers. At one booth, an architect offered me to sit down together and plan the house I have in mind for a price estimate. I told him that I am still exploring what options are available and that you also need to know the development plan etc. He said we could still do it anyway.

You catch mice with bacon ;)

Regardless of whether it is free or charged - I would not go this route in your place. You have neither a plot of land nor an idea of what your future plot will entail regarding the development plan and textual regulations. If you now happily plan your house with this architect and in the end, you end up with a plot that does not meet the requirements of the design, the disappointment will be great. Or – also conceivable, the design and conditions of the future plot match, but you find out in the near future that you do not like this architect (or his partners), then you are paying money to be allowed to use the design later with a third party.

I have now initially agreed that he may send me documents. What do you think, can one accept the "non-binding" offer (my inquiry; was shortly confirmed with yes by him) or do any costs or obligations already arise here like "if you find a plot within period X you have to build with us/me?"

My predecessor has shared his experience with you; they certainly correspond to reality. So if you want to accept the offer, make sure that there is written proof that the initial design is actually created free of charge.

Rhenish greetings