House construction - Procedure

It's best to pick a few architects in the nearby area, maybe you'll also find reference projects in new development areas, as described above. Then I would arrange a non-binding and free initial appointment with each architect. Here you can clarify general things and discuss the further course. Usually, one or two architects are more sympathetic to you, with whom I would then continue the process.

In our case, the first draft would have already cost money. However, I have also read that (especially in cities) the first draft can still be free. Then you could decide only afterwards and not before. Of course, you could also have a paid first draft made by more than one architect, but it doesn't necessarily have to be.

Since, as mentioned, it would have cost money right away for us, we first went to some GUs. They offer free quotes. Of course, the draft is not as detailed as with a freelance architect, but if you have normal expectations, you can manage quite well with it. We are now with several GUs close to an offer and have so far felt quite well taken care of everywhere. I think it will be a GU, but just in case, we'll keep the architects in the background ;-)

If you have enough time and 2-3 months of lost time don't matter, I would suggest this route. In the discussions with the GUs you gain experience and maybe you'll find something suitable directly. Own contributions are usually no problem there either. If it doesn't fit, you can still visit an architect afterwards.

Thank you very much. I still have some time. First, the old house has to be demolished in spring. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to link to other sites with houses, etc. (Sorry again to the moderation for that). We like the layouts of 2-3 prefabricated houses, and with this information and pictures, you can go to the architect, and he will then design it in an adapted form as a solid construction, right?

My mother’s classmate is an architect (but their office only plans commercial buildings and no residential houses) and says that an architect-designed house roughly falls in the same range as a prefabricated house... Is that so?

For medium-quality finishes + a bit above average, can you get by with 1700 euros per square meter? 1-2 years ago, it was only around 1500, right?

I believe €1,700 will probably not be enough...

Depending on the region and construction company. But I would rather estimate between 1800 and 2000.

We like the floor plans of 2-3 prefabricated houses, with these details and pictures you can go to the architect and he then designs it in an adapted form as a solid construction, right?

You could do it that way. But if you are already getting an architect, why not discuss your wishes and needs with him and have him work out a design? You don't need to involve an architect just to have a CAD model made from a prefabricated house floor plan.

This only serves as a template of what we like so that the architect has an idea of what to roughly plan ... Or do you just go and say you have x-y floor space, want xy living space in style Z, and then he should just get started?