Cost estimate architect single-family house. Your assessment

Interesting topic .... may I ask what you paid for the draft?

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you exactly how the cost calculation is done, but maybe my "current" thoughts will help you.

My feeling is that it’s some kind of sales tactic from the architect. Provided you have really made it clear that the house including all ancillary costs (additional construction costs, outdoor facilities, carport, kitchen, etc.) may cost max. 260,000 EUR, it’s not okay to make a house appealing that costs significantly (> 5-10%) more. You have to be extremely careful when you tell an architect the house may cost a certain amount! Architects usually calculate without VAT and put outdoor facilities, carport, kitchen & co into the ancillary costs, which initially don’t affect the construction sum for their fee. I orient myself on DIN 276 cost group 300 + 400 (I’m currently unsure about 100 + 200 … it should probably be included?). I also had an architect who didn’t include his fee in the "construction sum" and suddenly 30,000 EUR more was on the bill.
Therefore, I advise you to deal intensively with the ancillary costs as much as possible … fees, development, earthworks, your extra wishes (they will come! ), outdoor facilities, carport/garage, etc. There quickly adds up to 50,000 EUR. The more intensively you deal with details before signing the contract, the more you realize what costs MAY come your way! Hardly anyone will be able to guarantee you exactly how much. Therefore, it was already a good move to say 260,000€ instead of a maximum of 280,000€. Stick to that! Such a buffer is quickly used up … poor soil, contamination, rising craftsman costs and especially the builder’s wishes are particularly bad.
If the money isn’t enough, the house must simply be smaller or without climate protection gimmicks. At first, it’s pretty tough when the dream house costs more than planned, but over time it’s more reassuring to have something in sight where you don’t see money problems.

Therefore, it won’t make much sense to follow up here in the forum whether the architect’s bill is correct, realistic, or whatever, because if you want to build with this architect (for whatever reason), it costs what he says. Why should he estimate more or less? The costs are always under the control of the builder as long as he is involved in the project and doesn’t lose overview, i.e. watch your man closely and ask questions. Architects have experience and this is reflected in the offer. We are currently planning with 400€/m³ because if it turns out during construction that it’s cheaper, there are enough items to spend the "saved" money on again, e.g. energy-efficient measures, which are much more expensive to "install" afterwards. That is an absolute advantage with an architect compared to a fixed-price offer. So why take a risk by calculating with tight numbers? It costs what it costs!
Get more offers and if something is significantly different, ask right away why. Building means taking financial risks and in my opinion it also involves learning a lot to minimize construction defects/planning errors/etc. … avoiding them is hardly possible. And that’s why inform yourself BEFOREHAND! This forum is definitely a good start!

We set a limit of 300,000 €. Everything should be included there as well … but how is the architect supposed to know what you imagine. And you don’t even think about many things yet. Our "ancillary cost list" keeps growing and growing … the house has since shrunk from 670m³ to 590m³, but I can budget a solid 30,000€ for that. We are still satisfied with the size. It shows again how people tend to want to build bigger, higher, better at first Some costs like finishing the attic, garden, carport and a few other things that you don’t necessarily need right when moving in have been taken out for now. We have calculated so that we can save about 10,000 € a year … these will then be either used for special repayments or "invested in" the house.

Thank you for the long response on this topic. Exactly, I also find it very sobering that we end up with such an amount, instead of what was agreed otherwise. But I don’t quite understand what you mean by "going to someone else." Do you mean another architect? It won’t get cheaper there, will it, or how should I understand that? I mean, as long as I stay with the same area, the costs should remain the same if he has estimated them correctly, right? I have also wondered what happens later when the tenders are running and suddenly the companies offer cheaper than planned. Will we then see that? And how is the architect paid: based on the planned sum or the sum that is actually there afterward?

What do you think about this? Are these really the amounts one has to pay today, or has the architect just calculated very well or set the lead time too high? Or is the planned house lead time too exclusive?

Maybe I don't quite understand you... your concern is to find out whether the architect's price is appropriate or set too high? A second opinion from another architect on site can’t hurt. There are architects who want to build more like a Mercedes S-Class and others who also build a VW Golf. With that budget, it should actually be clear... you have money for a VW Golf and are getting a Mercedes C-Class. If the next architect builds at the same level, it certainly won’t be cheaper. I think it can definitely be cheaper and simpler... following the motto less is more. Therefore, the recommendation is to get a second opinion. We had to search a bit until we found an architect who was “keen” to do a very conscientious planning to keep within the cost framework. That requires quite an effort that the architect has to invest but doesn’t really get paid better for it. Have you spoken with others yet? What do you already know about the development and foundation of the property? For us, costs rose from the planned €10,000 to now €25,000. An outsider could never assess that, since they don’t know our property and the conditions of the development plan and requirements (e.g., municipal statutes). An assessment of how expensive your dream home will be depends on many things like the property, your wishes, and of course the architect’s ideas.

I have also wondered what happens later when the tenders are running and suddenly the companies bid cheaper than planned. Will we then see that? And how is the architect paid, based on the planned amount or the amount that actually ends up being?

You will probably receive a price comparison for the individual trades of the tender. Then you can decide from whom and at what price you want to have the trade executed. Unfortunately, it can still become more expensive (rarely cheaper), especially in case of errors in the tender.

The architect's fee is determined, among other factors, by the cost calculation in service phase 3 and the chargeable costs based on that.

You should openly discuss these points with your architect.

Could you please think about your floor plans soon? I would like to take a look.

All drafts please, including the views. You have made us curious