Assessment of bungalow floor plan

We had not yet been to the architect but wanted to present the "perfect" design to them in advance.

The idea is basically right, but:

With the rough draft we also wanted to save some costs with the architect, as they charge extra for every new drawing

... this interpretation is wrong. The claim (to oneself) to be able to express what one expects from their house in drawing form is naively thought. By the way, just as naive as the idea that the architect's job is "little plan drawing" and the fee depends on the number of these visual works. Both are generally untrue: the architect is at least as much a director and organizer as a concrete (drawing) planner, and the fee is related to the project's construction volume – as well as the responsibility. And the final plans contain far more knowledge of standards than mere design. So right there, where the layperson cannot take anything off the architect’s hands, is where most of the action happens.

The idea is basically correct, but:

..... the architect's job is "little plan painting" and the fee depends on the number of these visual works. Both are generally not true: the architect is at least as much a director and organizer as a concrete (drawing) planner, and the fee is related to the project volume of the building – as well as the responsibility.

Ideally, you are certainly right, but unfortunately, this has to be relativized. Especially in the current construction boom phase, many clients experience exactly the opposite. The client has exactly 1 to 2 meetings with the architect, who pulls a design out of the mothballs, rotates the staircase and 2 walls, and that’s it. For every further change, cost increases are threatened, not to mention the delay until the next design.

No, sorry, the architect profession with all due respect, but the way it may have worked 5 years ago is simply no longer the case. Yes, there are still star architects and those who really make an effort. But by now, there are also countless architects who simply just "work through" clients. It is no coincidence that we repeatedly see designs here from architects that are not ideal, unfinished, or even completely off.

Of course, clients try to reduce the number of designs by trying themselves first or at least collecting ideas before they "waste" the "one ultimate" meeting with the architect.

Take a look at our bungalow. If you make the living complex smaller there, you can play more with the rooms. We have a 168sqm L-bungalow.

... very important .. questionnaire, site plan (preferably oriented to north), and clearly formulated what your actual requirements are. And not something like

About this, about 1 meter should be added to the left, same to the front, so you can use the rooms

.. because that usually changes a floor plan in such a way that it should have been planned differently from the start.

The customer has exactly 1 to 2 conversations with the architect, who pulls a design out of the mothballs, rotates the staircase and 2 walls, and that's it. For any further changes, cost increases are threatened

I always mean the type of architect I recommend as the only one: the independent, client-commissioned architect. Precisely because of such conditions with contract architects from house providers, who are supposed to repaint standard floor plans according to client wishes for flat fees. This model is unsuitable for the interests of the clients.

.. because that usually changes a floor plan so much that you should have actually planned differently from the start.

In total, the change requests read to me as a completely different house. Except for the three rooms on the right side of the plan, nothing "remains". And upon further reflection, perhaps also the third gable for flooding the dining area with light.

So the architect of our choice is then already available. The service phases that are to be carried out can be freely chosen. Cooperation with an energy consultant is also not a problem. The suggestion came from there to build entirely without an architect but only with a structural engineer... If you have a design that you like. However, we are now of the opinion that we are definitely better off with an architect.