Do you absolutely need an architect?

Hello!

We want to build a single-family house in the spring and have already drawn our floor plan ourselves using a graphics program.
Do we now necessarily need an architect to technically redraw our floor plan correctly? - Or is a technical draftsman and structural engineer sufficient?

I have heard that a [bauvorlageberechtigter Bauingenieur] is also sufficient.

If yes, how does that differ in price (approximately)?

And are there other reasons why one should definitely hire an architect (e.g., construction management, warranty)?

Does anyone have experience with this?

Best regards, Gerd

A stamp presser will probably be sufficient from an official standpoint, but I believe a site manager is needed during construction, so ideally an architect. However, I think this depends on the country... Bauexperte might be able to tell you more about this. Bauexperte doesn’t just believe, like me, but knows it!

Nevertheless: I would also trust myself to create a preliminary design (and I have), but I would definitely hire an architect who can enhance and optimize the whole thing with professional expertise and knowledge. Even if you think you know how you want to live, a) way too many fundamental mistakes sneak in, b) an architect can draw on more possibilities for how to implement this or that. We laypeople operate in a field marked by ignorance. Some laypeople probably know that certain tensions require beams, you can also google how much window area a room needs, but there’s so much we don’t know (cost reductions through optimizations, drainage/sewage matters, DIN standards and whatnot). You can draw a "great" floor plan with a graphics program all you want, but then it won’t work out with an optimized heating and sewage system or ventilation installation... A draftsman can probably be trusted more than a layperson, but if you pay him a few euros for an execution plan, why should he point out to you that the rooms or—more specifically: the staircase—don’t work the way you thought?! And then you’re standing at the shell construction and have to pay for costly changes or expensive special features...

Otherwise, just post the draft... in this forum, obvious functional errors can also be quickly recognized by knowledgeable laypeople. Unfortunately, technically deficient function not so much... too few architects here (except Bauexperte, but Bauexperte usually stays out of such discussions)

An architect is not necessary, we put up a few houses every year, and we don't have an architect, we take care of the construction management ourselves. However, if you are not familiar with the construction industry, an architect is probably advisable. But they are not cheap. Things can also go wrong with an architect. It's best to take a construction company that has a good reputation and knows what they're doing. But it's not easy to find one.RegardsMartin

Hello,

we build a few houses every year, and we don't have an architect,

Who is "we" and who develops the floor plans for you, or is it just a specific house series?

we manage the construction supervision ourselves.

That sounds nice, what training do you have behind the construction supervision?

If you are not familiar with the construction industry, an architect is probably advisable. However, they are not cheap.

Whoever looks for "cheap" usually also gets cheap.

Things can also go wrong with an architect.

No one can walk on water .... but every architect has insurance for the worst case; without it, they are not licensed nor allowed to work. How is that with you?

Best regards from the Rhineland

Hello Gerd,

completely independent of formal or legal matters, I would strongly advise anyone against doing without an architect. For our construction project, on the one hand, we hired a general contractor and on the other hand, an architect. I must say, the architect was necessary for the following reasons:

1. Because of course he has already drawn thousands of plans and after 30 years of professional experience, he notices things that I do not notice. And for a project for which I will be in debt for 30 years, I don’t want unnecessary annoying corners (you have them anyway, but not so many). Did we think about designing the rooms in such a way that it is possible to live on one floor if necessary? Did we think about enlarging the roof overhang above the front door because it faces west (weather side)?

2. Because our architect could tell us exactly what was not included / still missing in the construction descriptions and offers from the construction companies. For example, we received quotes of around 8,000 euros for the earthworks. Our architect literally tore these apart and then first wrote a proper specification. It then ended up costing twice as much, but we would have been completely taken in by the companies here. In addition, he went through the construction contract with us and pointed out vague formulations to us at dozens of points. He was present at the final contract meeting, which led to these points being formulated concretely.

3. Furthermore: So far around 2,000 euros saved because he called a tiling company regarding “unclean/strange” invoices and settled it.

4. Cost estimates: We would never have factored in 10,000 euros as a buffer for possibly needed additional gravel, 2,500 euros for construction power/water, and many other such points. By the way, neither would the bank, because it is happy about refinancing.

5. Interfaces: How exactly is the staircase attached to the house? Where are the lines to be laid on the building side? How must the excavation be stored during the first earthworks to avoid work and costs later? And how must the substructure of the terrace be prepared so that it can later be built as cheaply as possible and does not have to be connected to the insulation of the house? He took care of these and a hundred other such questions.

6. Furthermore: Experience from over 30 years in the construction business and an independent eye after every relevant construction phase.

Conclusion: The architect will cost us several thousand euros. But we would - although everything is going well with our construction - never save money at this point!