Construction costs were estimated far too low

Hello Hansi,

which performance levels have you agreed upon with the architect? He must have told you at some point a price for how much the house will cost. Ideally, you also have that in writing.

The architect is only allowed - to my knowledge - to be off by about 20 - 30%. If the construction costs increase as significantly as yours did, he may possibly have insurance for that.

If I were you, I would contact the architect chamber responsible for you and inquire there whether the whole process is correct.

Hello Hansi02, first of all: I am not an expert and cannot answer your questions. I can only tell you how I would proceed in the same situation. As I understood you, it is now about damage limitation and the costs you can still expect. In my opinion, you will only get an approximate exact answer to both from experts. That means a specialist lawyer for construction law must urgently review your contracts. Fixed price is not the same as fixed price, there are legally effective definitions. Can the architect be held liable? Then a building surveyor (information about possible experts is available from us via the Chamber of Industry and Commerce) must check the construction performance description, look at the current construction progress on site, and then give an estimate of the costs of completion. Yes, that costs a few thousand, but as a layman I do not see any other solution either. Regards BTK

Stupid question!

Every normal person with common sense compares a 50 € item on the internet/ in the store. Didn’t you get offered alternatives? Or was the architect a "Schuß"?

Sad Germany when a professional can’t assess something like this and calls himself an architect!

Can the OP maybe define his "fixed price" now? I don't understand the point of the whole thing if there is a fixed price offer for the house...

@Bauexperte:
Isn't it then also sensible to immediately stop all further construction measures to avoid incurring additional costs until the arbitration committee of the chamber of architects has made a decision?

Regards
BTK

Hello,

Isn't it also sensible to immediately stop all further construction measures to avoid incurring additional costs until the arbitration committee of the architects' chamber has decided?

At least until after the first meeting with the arbitration committee it "would" make sense. However, it is just as reasonable to close the roof before the onset of winter. So it is quite a difficult decision.

All of the original poster's statements are contradictory to me - starting with the fixed price, which an architect avoids like the devil avoids holy water (because then he would be liable and responsible as general contractor / general contractor with obligations) and ending with the alleged difficulties that the craftsmen supposedly have with the execution planning.

For me, everyone should be involved in the discussions and then see – under the moderation of the arbitration committee – which solutions are feasible.

Rhenish regards