Assigning trades yourself - what can be saved by doing so?

Forget it! When awarding the trades for 3 houses, you by far do not have the purchasing power that large developers have, who are always preferred by the craftsmen both in terms of price and timing.

That is nonsense in all cases known to me. An architect/project manager has his companies he relies on, since the project manager usually does not feel like showing up at the construction site multiple times and checking the results. Anyone who thinks they get the trades cheaper through an architect is, in my experience, wrong.

In a specific known case: The architect knows that with a single-family house project, the money is somewhat more abundant since he also did the financing planning and based on the total costs calculates his costs. In agreement with the construction company, the bill is as high as justifiable so that everyone can earn as much as possible. One hand washes the other...

The architect knows that in a single-family house project the money is a bit looser since he also did the financing planning and based his costs on the total expenses. In consultation with the construction company, the invoice is as high as justifiable so that everyone can earn as much as possible. One hand washes the other...

I had that feeling too. The amount is agreed upon and fixed beforehand, and then the craftsmen share the "loot" with the site manager.

Sure, the trades have stayed the same. But how do you expect to assess, with experience from 30 years ago, whether the materials used now are the right ones and are also installed according to regulations?

Your opinion is duly noted, that our experience apparently seems amateurish and slapdash. Thank you very much for the "compliments," without even knowing us.

We have practically spent our entire lives building or having things built. Not just single-family homes, but also commercial buildings, garages, holiday homes, garden sheds, carports, etc.
And that continuously from 45 years ago until today, just to turn the shoe around a bit.

Your opinion is all well and good, that our experiences are apparently amateurish and clumsy. Many thanks for the "flowers," without you knowing us.

We have practically built or had built our whole lives. Not only single-family houses, but also company buildings, garages, holiday homes, garden sheds, carports, etc.
And that continuously from 45 years ago until today, to turn the shoe around for once.

Well, but honestly: when you read your last questions and statements, you don’t necessarily get the impression that there is expertise behind them.
What goes in, comes out the same

Best regards in brief

Awarding contracts means creating reasonable tenders. You get what you order. In my humble experience, this is not always straightforward. Then you have to evaluate and compare the offers. Finally, negotiate and choose "the best."

Construction management means that everything is at the right place at the right time(!). It is project management; there are good and less good project managers. Furthermore, you are responsible for the technical supervision, so the actual state matches the target state. Of course, additional expertise may, can, and indeed must be called in if necessary. No construction manager can fully oversee all trades. However, the more he masters himself... (Architects and civil engineers have certain advantages here over non-specialist laypersons).

Finally, construction management is also responsible (alongside the client) for safety on the construction site.

Here is a quote from an older colleague regarding my house-building intentions at the time: The most important thing is the construction manager! In retrospect, my experience is: What went wrong with us can clearly be traced back to the construction management.

Therefore, I would not save money at the wrong end.

, these statements are meant generally; I do not know or evaluate your competence. In my opinion, the state building code does not require formal proof either. But others should assess that...

Regarding costs (saving potential): Find a construction supervisor or similar (Yellow Pages) and kindly ask for an approximate price for your project. Your draft creator (architect?) will also be able to tell you what they want if they see it through to the end.

Well, but honestly: when you read your last questions and statements, you don't necessarily get the impression that there is expertise behind them.
What goes in comes out
Best regards in brief

Also possible. What did I say wrong again? Specifically?