Cost of architect services for prefabricated house

Hello,

I have received an offer from an architectural firm for a plot of land and the construction of a prefabricated house using wood panel construction with a concrete prefabricated basement. The house type is from the catalog of the prefabricated house manufacturer; only the room layout is to be changed slightly. I am now puzzled about two points in the cost breakdown:

1) Brokerage fees are charged on the plot of land (which I can still understand) but also on the building price. Is that normal?

2) In the additional costs, nearly 10,000 EUR are listed under the item "Architect (building application, planning, formwork and reinforcement plans)." Is that a reasonable price for a prefabricated house where only the interior layout is slightly changed?

Regards

Hello,

There is a commission charged on the land (which I can still understand) but also on the building price. Is that normal?

Although it is quite unusual for a new building, the commission on the single-family house is probably the fee of the architectural office for mediating the prefabricated house provider.

In the additional costs, just under 10,000 EUR are listed under the item "Architect (building application, planning, formwork and reinforcement plans)". Is that a reasonable price for a prefabricated house where only the interior layout is slightly changed?

As it reads, you are purchasing the service stages of the architectural office separately; hence, they are not included in the service scope of the prefabricated house provider. Take a look at the provider’s general terms and conditions.

Kind regards

Hello construction expert,

thank you for your response. The construction description states:

[...] The services provided by the builder must be completed before construction approval and the start of construction. The building owner bears the costs for building permits, any structural engineer reviews, authorities, surveying, chimney sweep, and other fees for the approval of the construction project. The costs of additional planning services, such as creating site plans, architectural services, etc. for the building permit in accordance with the building application regulation, are to be borne by the builder. [...]

So these costs would also arise if I were to order the construction directly from the provider, right? The question I have is whether the amount is reasonable; 10,000 EUR seems quite high to me for a pure house price of about 100,000 EUR plus cellar. What services do I receive in return for this?

P.S.: I understand that I should discuss this with the architect. I just don’t want to go into such a conversation unprepared and want to inform myself independently beforehand.

Best regards

Hello,

So these costs would also arise if I commissioned the construction directly from the provider, correct?

Yes, there are some providers who offer only the pure service of the house; the builder then necessarily needs an architect, whose costs must be borne in addition.

The question I ask myself is whether the amount is reasonable; 10,000 EUR seems quite high to me for a pure house price of ~100,000 EUR + basement. What services do I actually receive for this?

All architects bill according to HOAI and the eligible construction costs plus VAT; deviations upwards or downwards have been prohibited by the legislator.

For construction costs of TEUR 100 could the invoice presented to you look like this:

about 3/4% for the basic evaluation - TEUR 3/4
about 7/8% for the preliminary planning or also a BVA with plans - TEUR 7/8
about 11/12% for the design planning - TEUR 11/12
about 6/7% for the approval planning - TEUR 6/7
---------------
Items 1 - 4 plus VAT

Since the mentioned TEUR 10 are named as the costs of the architecture, I assume that the house offered to you is a frequently sold floor plan, so that only the basic evaluation and the approval planning are invoiced, especially since the property conditions are also known.

Kind regards

Thank you, that would then probably be settled.

So I find some things more than strange. If I want to build a prefabricated house, it is about buying one piece of house at a fixed price including all services. I do this myself as a general contractor. What advantage would there be for the client otherwise. It is not even stated here which service phases are included exactly, i.e. billing can be done at any time according to HOAI.