Building permit is available - How to get quotes from construction companies?

This is certainly not universally applicable - besides, you haven't completed any work yet, have you?

I would rather ask why your architect offers such cheap companies and you can't get in there - they normally don't have any relationship to each other.

I only took one of the architect's companies (window manufacturer) - not consciously, but it just happened that way.

Whether this is universally applicable none of us can say for sure - since we all only have one single project or relatively very few projects together.

As it turned out, all the companies introduced by the architect have a good reputation and decent references to show.

I will report when the first things are finished. The structural engineer, for example, has calculated well at least so far, so neither a ST nor a photovoltaic system is required.

It is important that the references are correct. I have never chosen the cheapest option except for one exception – for the roof, even the most expensive one, but I was not disappointed there either.

Hello,

I wanted to keep you updated. We are in contact with the construction companies. Uncertain because of the scope of services, etc., we consulted with our architect. Do we need a scope of services? Architect's statement: What we are doing right now is good. He recommends this approach. Some work according to a scope of services. But then there would hardly be any ideas involved. Now we are using a free consultation and can incorporate ideas. Since every construction company has the same documents, they all have the same measurements, etc., and then submit their offers accordingly. The first appointments with the construction companies are fixed. It goes on... You will hear from us!

What kind of offer should the construction companies give you? Complete turnkey house or just the shell? How are construction companies supposed to know what you want or need without a bill of quantities? I still don’t understand your approach. The architect doesn’t advise you (he is paid well for that) and passes the work on to other companies who are supposed to advise you for free. Really strange...

Hello,

I am skeptical as well.
Since you have never done something like this before, it is quite likely that you will eventually encounter problems.

Have you at least received a list of which trades need to be tendered? Have you considered which tasks (including sub-tasks) need to be carried out? When I think about the work done by the heating and plumbing company alone, I probably would have forgotten half of it in the tender (and I certainly only saw a fraction, as I was at work).

An acquaintance of ours, who is currently building himself, is a construction manager. I trust that he knows what to pay attention to and which services he needs to demand. Regarding your initial question, I think problems can arise. Sorry.

If three companies from the same trade give you three different ideas (basic execution + additional idea) – can you really judge (other than by gut feeling) whether and which idea is sensible, whether effort and benefit are in a good ratio, or if you are being sold an additional service that looks good on paper but does not bring you the desired effect in reality?
If you have one idea (e.g. rainwater usage for toilet flushing) and two companies would implement it for the amount X (since that is what you want), but the third does not offer it (with reason) because it is not sensible based on experience – how do you decide? For the sensible/practical or for the "eye-wash"?