Energy consultant offer too high?

Hello everyone,

I would be interested in your assessment of the offer from our energy consultant. I do not want to start any fundamental discussions. The whole thing will probably be a passive house and we want to take advantage of the KFW 297 funding including QNG.

1) Standard-compliant energy calculation:
- Creation of a 3D planning model for the following calculation steps
- Creation of a concept for thermal insulation + system technology
- Creation of a standard-compliant calculation according to the Building Energy Act 2023
- Standard-compliant calculation according to PHPP (Passive House Planning Package)
- Determination of heating loads from the PHPP calculation
- Calculation of new building variants and coordination with the funding guidelines
- Discussion of the calculation results and definition of the structural measures

2180.00 euros net

2) Preparation of the basics and confirmations for KFW (BEG)
- Online confirmation for the KFW application; Program 297
- KFW confirmation after implementation of the measure, including final on-site inspection
- Update of the basics Energy Saving Ordinance / Building Energy Act calculation

1180.00 euros net

3) Preparation of the sustainability certification necessary for Efficiency House 40 NH for KFW (QNG)
- 1st stage by our certified office according to BIRN NH:
- Preparation of the certification documents for the sustainability system for residential buildings in Germany according to the ancillary construction costs system.
- Preparation of the necessary and extensive documentation, evidence, calculations, and review of the construction documents provided by the client
5600.00 euros
- 2nd stage certification by BIRN NH:
- Preparation of the certification by BIRN as an external institute for the sustainability system for residential buildings in Germany according to the ancillary construction costs system.
Unit price 1280.00 euros

4) Implementation of construction supervision for quality assurance as an approved expert for necessary evidence for the KFW
- On-site inspection of the craftsmanship
- Construction site documentation according to KFW guidelines
- Preparation of a usage certificate
3 units 3.5 h 105 euros net/hour 1102.50 euros net
(Estimated effort approx. 3 inspections x 3.5 hours)

5) Preparation of a standard-compliant photovoltaic simulation according to DIN 18599 as a basis and confirmation for KFW EFF house
- Preliminary planning for calculating the performance, yields of the photovoltaic system for the available roof geometries
220.00 euros net

6) Verification of airtightness requirements according to 4108-7 or DIN EN ISO 9972,
- as 1st measurement for quality assurance during the construction state, including leakage detection throughout the entire building.
- as 2nd measurement after completion of interior construction trades, procedure A
- Preparation of a test report and test certificate
680.00 euros / measurement

2 measurements 1360.00 euros net

7) Preparation of a detailed thermal bridge calculation
A detailed thermal bridge calculation is necessary and meaningful for an energy efficiency building in most cases.
The scope can only be roughly estimated at the current planning stage.
The effort for a usual thermal bridge calculation is about 150 euros/piece.
Unit price 150.00 euros/piece estimated scope 23 pieces

3450.00 euros net


In total, this amounts to just under 20k gross, whereby you naturally save about 50k in interest over 10 years.

Is all this really necessary and somewhat realistic?

Thanks and best regards

Looks to me like I made the wrong decision when choosing a career. :eek:

So for me, the energy consultant for the energy certificate, thermal bridge verification, and KfW stuff costs around €4000 gross. Without QNG, that wasn’t an issue back then.

Just for comparison, our energy consultant charged about €2000 for a KFW40 build. Of course, everything has become more expensive, but 10 times? Wow.

Just for comparison, our energy consultant charged around €2000 for a KFW40 construction.
Sure, everything has become more expensive, but 10 times? Wow.

What exactly did he charge for? We also have various items included, some of which are only due after the house is completed... Prices as of July 2023 in Lower Saxony:

Calculation KfW40 including thermal insulation certification €1,700 gross
Issuance of KfW application €300 gross
Climate-friendly building life cycle analysis without QNG Premium €750 gross
Confirmation after completion €750 gross
Blower Door Test approx. €350 gross (depending on regional prices)

From the building physics area according to the offer, we would also have thermal insulation certification according to the Building Energy Act €450 gross (for without KfW40)

So it would be price-wise similar to

"KFW 297 funding including QNG" is probably the cause... I would have 2-3 energy consultants offer me this with and without. Otherwise, you can't evaluate it. You also wouldn't ask if cars have to be that expensive after getting offered a new Mercedes S-Class with everything, would you?