Experiences with prefabricated dormers in new construction?

Hello,

in a conversation with the new head of our building department, it turned out that one could deviate from the dormer ban actually valid in the development plan from early 1970 for our little house if neighboring houses also had dormers. Something like that would never have been conceivable with the old boss, but now – nice. Half the neighborhood has dormers, so I see a not entirely bad basis for argumentation.

Long story short: Does anyone have experience with prefabricated dormers (flat roof dormer) from a third-party manufacturer in new construction with a general contractor, from whom the roof actually comes? I have now found the company SPS, which would have a salesperson directly in the neighboring town. Their dormers also look decent, and the few Google reviews read reasonably well.

Is a prefabricated dormer – not from the actual carpenter of the general contractor – generally a viable idea, or should one leave the entire roof to one contact person?

So far, I have not asked either the general contractor or SPS for prices; it just seemed somehow practical to be able to integrate the dormer "from the side" into the process if the general contractor should not offer something like that or only at annoying prices.

With the dormer, you necessarily have to consider and coordinate various connections. You definitely need the cooperation of the general contractor if you don't want someone to come and saw the roof truss again. In this respect, I can hardly imagine that it would be cheaper than ordering the roof truss together with the dormer from the timber construction company. Also from a warranty perspective, I would have everything done by the general contractor.

I think the ready-made dormer offer is mainly aimed at retrofitting, right? I would also prefer to leave (trade) connections out of such a critical component as the roof. If there is ever a leak or thermal bridge, it is always the other's fault.

I think the ready-made dormer offer is primarily aimed at retrofitters, right?

On the website, it indeed reads as if the focus is on retrofitting. The longer I think about it, the more I tend to agree with you to have it done all at once.