Building with an architect, which performance phases are meaningful???

That's always a tricky one – they certainly don't work for free just for the fun of it? You also have to register helpers with the BG; accidents sometimes happen faster than you can say "oops." However, the more interesting question must be: are they reliable and do they keep their commitments regarding the construction schedule?

I don't really understand your question though. You have - probably for good reason - decided on a very individual construction plan; fully aware that architectural costs are higher than with a general contractor (GC). So why are you now questioning some service phases?

Rhine greetings

Well, our planning isn’t that crazy, but I simply want good and reliable control/management of the construction phases especially because I have no idea about many things.
We haven’t found a truly recommendable GC here in the Lower Rhine region (Kevelaer) who could fulfill our wishes. That’s why we went to an architect.
But like with everything, you have to look at what you get for your money. Especially the construction management, which is quite a big cost block with the architect, is important to me. So I considered whether it’s better to assign the whole thing to a third party. By better I mean that I get better support for the same money or the same support at lower costs.

Just through this question, other questions about the other service phases arose. You always know someone who says, "If you have the plans, that’s enough, just go directly to the craftsmen; the architect just costs unnecessary money."
That’s why my question is what you really need and what you don’t….

But thanks a lot already for the info.

Hello,

We have not found a truly recommendable general contractor here in Niederrhein (Kevelaer) who could meet our wishes.

I can hardly believe that, MG is not that far away and there are quite good general contractors; among others one of our partners we work with.

I have therefore considered whether it is better to assign the whole thing to a third party. By better I mean that I get better support for the same money or the same support at lower cost.

I have already answered this question in my first reply. In my opinion, it will not be cheaper this way, but neutrality is maintained and thus also prevents possible conflicts during the construction process.

You always know someone who tells you, "if you have the plans, that's enough and just go to the craftsmen, the architect only costs unnecessary money."

That is a widespread phenomenon; unfortunately. Because if you look closely behind these answers and expect binding statements, the situation usually looks quite different again. There are many smart alecks who believe they can do it better – the new development areas are full of the resulting outcomes. Construction sites lasting 2 years or more are not uncommon.

Rhineland regards

Hello Sambi,

...
As with everything, you have to eventually look at what you get for your money. Especially the construction management, which represents quite a high cost block with the architect, is important to me. I have therefore been considering whether it is better to assign the whole thing to a third person. By better, I mean that I get better support for the same money or the same support at lower costs.

Just through this question, questions about the other service phases have arisen. You always know someone who says, "if you have the plans, that's enough and just go to the craftsmen, the architect only costs unnecessary money."
Therefore my question is what you really need and what not....

But thanks in advance for the info

I will speak from my point of view (as an architect). The construction management is so expensive because you have to spend a lot of time on it if you want to do it seriously. The argument about nepotism can certainly be justified, at the offices where I have worked, there were also certain craftsmen who were preferred, but for other reasons. If you build a lot, you will notice a huge difference between the individual craftsmen. One does clean work and meets deadlines, another no longer sticks to any agreement after signing the contract. The next one brings additional charges for every little change.

I would definitely recommend having the tendering and construction management done by a professional, whether that is your architect with whom you planned the house, or a third person who specializes in construction management, it doesn’t matter. What is important is that there is someone who supervises neutrally. I (as an architect) do not get any money from the craftsmen.

If there is no construction management and the craftsmen do it themselves, a lot of botched work can happen. It can also be that cheaper materials are used and details are changed just for simplicity’s sake (for the craftsman currently working). If the subsequent expenses arise later, no one cares, and if these are reported later, you can’t undo it anyway.

That a general contractor builds cheaper, in my opinion, is only true if you build exactly as he offered; if you want changes afterwards, the cheapness is usually over!

Good luck

K.Brodbeck