Finding architects - but how?

What is still not clear to me regarding the HOAI are the fee zones. How do I know what low, medium, or high planning requirements are?

That is somewhat vague despite the point system. In the single-family house sector, HZ III Min - Max is often encountered, with correspondingly more for a swimming pool extending above the ground floor in the upper floor. If you present your ideas, the architect can directly say how he will classify it.

... page of the Chamber of Architects... The websites are all a disaster. Virtually no information, hardly any photos of reference projects. Yes, how am I supposed to find out whether I like the style?! Then I will probably have to look for a name that suits me :-( .

That is unfortunate and, in my opinion, also outdated. Nevertheless, you have to start a selection process, if necessary by phone.

Hello,

Maybe it actually makes sense to let the architect do everything (we could still partly specify the companies, right?) and additionally hire an external expert to check if everything is running correctly?

Yes and no.

I think you are quite fixed on the selection of parts of the trades/crafts. I find the architect for the planning to be sensible; I would let the accompanying expert handle the rest. For the relevant trades (your husband’s veto), I wouldn’t write to any other craftsmen at all, but I wouldn’t tell them that since you can’t judge the quality of the execution anyway and you – as mentioned – are quite fixated.

What I don’t yet understand about the HOAI are the fee zones. How do I know what counts as low, medium, or high planning requirements?

That actually follows from the HOAI itself:

§ 5
Fee Zones
(1) Building and structural planning are assigned to the following fee zones:

1. Fee Zone I: very low planning requirements,
2. Fee Zone II: low planning requirements,
3. Fee Zone III: average planning requirements,
4. Fee Zone IV: high planning requirements,
5. Fee Zone V: very high planning requirements.

(2) Area planning and technical equipment planning are assigned to the following fee zones:

1. Fee Zone I: low planning requirements,
2. Fee Zone II: average planning requirements,
3. Fee Zone III: high planning requirements.

(3) The fee zones are to be determined based on the evaluation criteria in the fee regulations of the respective service descriptions in parts 2 to 4. The allocation to the individual fee zones is to be made according to the evaluation criteria and, if applicable, the evaluation points as well as taking into account the standard examples in the object lists of the annexes to this regulation.

With the data you have already published, it will result in Fee Zone III; whether more towards the lower or upper end depends on the architect.

... I’ll probably have to see which name fits me :-( .

No, you have to invest time knowing that the time may eventually be filed under “P”; there’s no other way, because only in a personal conversation will you find out whether the architect fits you or not.

Where do you want to build?

Rhineland regards

So, I've found two now. I like the websites of both offices, they are located in our city, and have already planned/built several single-family houses around here. Now I'm waiting for callbacks, curious when they'll get in touch.

We want to build in Oberhausen Rheinland, probably known to most because of the Centro and the football club RWO.
If anyone has tips or recommendations, always welcome.

Bei den Daten, welche Du bereits veröffentliche hast, wird es auf Honorarzone III hinauslaufen; ob eher unten oder eher oben, liegt am Architekten.

Thanks for the assessment!

So, that was quick. I received a callback from both today and we already have appointments for next week Wednesday and Thursday. I didn't think it would go this fast. Both know the street where the property is located and one even knows the property itself because he lives around the corner.

So, we had the first meeting today. The architect and office were likeable to us, the architect seems like a "normal guy." He doesn’t give the impression of being an artist type or anything, and he didn’t start off by telling us all the great things he has already built. He had the development plan on hand and had already driven by the property. Before letting us talk, he first explained quite a bit about the costs and processes. It seemed like he often has people sitting there who are totally shocked at the costs that come up in the end. He was quite positively surprised that I had already calculated building costs of about €1,800–2,000 without exterior work and additional construction costs; he himself normally expects €1,500–1,700. And he was very happy that we hadn’t come with self-drawn plans . But we did have a detailed room program with our wishes included (e.g., kitchen and living room facing the back; fireplace visible from both the dining table and the couch, etc.). In terms of the process, he counts the initial meeting as acquisition. The next step would be for him to create a first draft including views and sections. For this, he would charge a flat fee of €2,000, which we would only have to pay if we do not commission him afterwards. We think that is fair. Do you have any experience with this? Is that usual? Is that too much?

First of all: it certainly is not too much.

The crucial question is what scope this "first draft" should correspond to. In terms of price, it could just still fall within the framework of HOAI service phases I and II, then it is simply a preliminary design with a cost estimate that only gives a very rough direction. But views and sections that go beyond a general sketch will probably violate the HOAI.
And what if the collaboration works and could be fruitful, but the "first" draft does not convince?
What is then to be paid?
By the way: What service is actually owed as the basis for an approvable planning?

Flat rates can work and be HOAI compliant, but it can also quickly become complicated.