Construction cost calculation single-family house architect without own work

We have already changed something or had it changed. The cube is no longer exposed concrete but this Trespa panel thing. The house has been scaled down to 174 sqm. We already have an offer for the shell construction / masonry for 120k gross based on a house that is 10 sqm larger with exposed concrete.

The WC in the garage is for garden parties and such. Those are popular in the countryside and I don’t want traffic inside the house with more or less known people.

We have and do not want a bathtub.

Garage can be max 6m, had to be a bit smaller according to the architect. So basically we have a combo garage for 1 vehicle plus equipment.

Living room as planned. In the cube, the couch and TV face the east side. So to the right outside.

The architect’s first estimate was also at 480k including VAT and incidental costs. Since then, I have been more involved to form my own opinion.

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I find the garage too narrow at 5.31m
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Fully agree! Even the architect was unable to draw the door on the left opening at 90°!

I would be missing at least 1m in width.

Just a few questions for inspiration... How do you come to the conclusion that you can deliver a "better" cost estimate with a bit of internet research than a trained architect? Have you calculated how many unpaid hours someone would have to work on your construction site for you to get from the architect's estimate to your desired amount? I hope for your sake that you have very good friends and acquaintances.

Just a few questions as a suggestion... How do you come to the conclusion that you can deliver a "better" cost estimate with a bit of internet research than a trained architect? Have you ever calculated how many unpaid hours someone would have to work on your construction for you to get from the architect's estimate to your desired amount? I hope for your sake that you have very good friends and acquaintances.

I find the question fair. I want to form my own opinion and, besides craftsmen and architects, also consult internet users for their collective knowledge. From that, I form my opinion, more quantitatively than qualitatively, to be able to assess things myself.

I have very good friends and acquaintances. However, I do not want to ask them for help with moving or personal contributions.

That is why I became active in this forum. Our architect called the house expensive at 385k, I did not simply believe him, and I was supported here. Next, it must be that we continue to move toward the target amount, meaning doing something to the house. An increase in the budget is therefore out of the question for me.

Best regards

I find the question fair. I want to form my own picture and, besides craftsmen and architects, also ask internet users for their collective knowledge. From that, I form my opinion, more quantitative than qualitative, to be able to classify it myself.

You are basically doing it right. Having knowledge is never wrong, but collective intelligence usually lacks the exact information needed to make a reliable prediction. Therefore, definitely add a few percent buffer to your budget. Not needing and having it is not a problem. Not having it and needing it, on the other hand, is.

Are you still starting a planning thread for the floor plan or does it already exist? There are still some bottlenecks that should be fixed (e.g. kitchen or bathroom upstairs).