Floor plan Bungalow 172 m2 in Brandenburg south of Berlin

After studying more intensively again, I am increasingly convinced that the path through the architect is the right one. Not just service phases 1 to 2 or service phases 1 to 5, but all eight relevant SPS.

I also consider taking module C along very recommendable, but contractually I would always proceed only module by module (with the option to continue, of course). The most important thing in my opinion is the pause between modules A and B, which I like to call the "dough resting time." It is also at this point that one’s conviction either solidifies—or does not—about whether one has approached the right architect.

I then limited myself to a radius of up to 30 km and now have eight architects who could be contacted. Is that a good radius?

Unfortunately, that is only "half the rent," but otherwise: yes.

I would actually contact the architects briefly here, briefly describe the project, ask about a free initial consultation, and possibly request to hold the meeting at a construction site belonging to the architect.

Exactly: "The first date with the architect: preferably not in the office" is a key factor in not ending up with an "artist" (who would probably also confirm the experiences of regarding calculation competence).

I would actually contact the architects briefly here

… I would just say single-family house! … and let him tell what he is building (single-family house or multi-family house), conservative or “modern”, what he thinks about regenerative efficiency (EE) and how he prefers to implement it. Then have him provide one or two reference addresses.

So architects have been contacted and we have received the first response. A rejection. That is not a big deal. But the reason is quite interesting and I would like to get an assessment of it here. Because I do not know if the architect is really right with his statement and if not, whether he is doing his professional group a disservice with such statements.

The rejection: "The bungalow construction method you described is now mostly covered by prefab house providers. A few years ago I did a comparative calculation on this, which showed that it only pays off for very special and elaborate projects. In times of uncertain construction prices and overloaded construction companies, I also consider this the better choice for a small project to get cost and schedule certainty."

That naturally unsettles you. He could have attached this calculation to his email. Should you now just have a prefab house built off the shelf because of the high construction prices? He could also have asked whether the bungalow should be built more elaborately.

Is the market really that bad right now that it is best to wait with building or only go with a prefab house contractor? In my opinion, that does not help either. After all, you have the choice in this field whether solid, prefab, architect, or contractor etc.

PS: He did not want to build because he now only builds completely ecologically and not with the solid construction method of a single-family house. Pure passive houses.

That is naturally unsettling. He could have attached this bill to his email. Should one now just have a prefabricated house built off the shelf because of the high construction prices? He could also have asked whether the bungalow was to be built more elaborately.

You are welcome to forward that to me if he responds to your inquiry. I would interpret his conclusion something like that as well.

One has the choice precisely in this field whether solid, prefabricated, architect or BU, etc.

Should this sentence provoke me? – after all, neither prefabricated / solid nor architect or BU are opposites, but can be successfully combined (as I have actually mentioned frequently).

PS: He did not want to build because he only builds completely ecologically now and not the solid construction of a single-family house. Pure passive houses.

As far as you mean "solid" as "monolithic stone house," that is quite clear too: as an architect specializing in the "vegan avant-garde" ;-) one will naturally focus on a conviction-based building method, in which the majority of stone house GUs are "automatically" out, as well as the industrial timber frame panel GUs.

Prepare for more cancellations, we haven't found an architect who even wanted to design our single-family house. The responses were along the same lines: standard is not worth it or we don't have time for that.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you

The architects' order books are partially filled more than 12 months in advance. A single-family house is simply not very profitable; the books are full with [Mehrfamilienhaus] and municipal projects, and those bring real profit. For such a single-family house, an architect has to invest a lot of time for a manageable profit, and the clients are demanding as well. That is the current situation. Finding a good architect who will still accept a single-family house project is really rare and difficult right now.

Good luck.