How do I find the right construction company?

Hey,

first about me: I, 20 years young, want to build a house together with my parents along with our business (warehouse, office) in NRW.

Brief key facts about our construction project:
- everything must be connected (requirement from the land seller)
- 2 bungalows of 100m² living space each (1 residential bungalow, 1 office bungalow)
- a warehouse of about 200m² storage space with 2 gates and 1 normal door
- our price cap is around 400,000 euros for a turnkey house (i.e., tiled, etc., without own work, everything should also be painted; only the kitchen we will install ourselves later); financing is not a problem
- there is no time pressure, we live in our own house and can move out whenever we want. It would be nice to move out by 01.01.2013

We are currently still in the planning stage – so we have not signed anything yet.
The current status is that a commercial plot has been reserved for us. To purchase it, we now have to submit a detailed plan of the construction project from the architect.

Now the question arises – how do I find the right construction company?
So far, we have requested offers from Baudirekt and IBG Haus. Unfortunately, Baudirekt is too expensive for us and unfortunately you read a lot of negative things about IBG Haus.
How does one find a suitable construction company?
We would like to build with a larger construction company, as we think such a company would not file for insolvency so quickly and leave us empty-handed.

If there is already a thread here explaining something like this, I would be very happy about a link! If I ended up in the wrong section, I am sorry. I was not quite sure where to best post.

Best regards

Hello,

our price limit is around 400,000 euros for a turnkey house (that is, tiled etc., without own work, everything is to be painted as well; only the kitchen we will install ourselves); financing is not a problem

What exactly does this upper price limit refer to? For 1 or 2 bungalows, perhaps with a warehouse?

The current status is that a commercial plot has been reserved for us. To proceed with the purchase, we now have to submit a precise plan of the construction project from the architect.

That is normal.

How do you find a suitable construction company? We would like to build with a larger construction company, as we think such a company is less likely to quickly file for insolvency and leave us empty-handed.

But that is just what you think; what makes it more difficult for you is that most providers will not be able to realize your project, as they operate only with their standard house models.

One of the providers you quoted is too expensive for you, and in my opinion, you should rather drop the other from your list; firstly, they will not be able to realize the project, and secondly, if they do, it will end up being more expensive than the provider you consider expensive. A bungalow with simple architecture in the quality level you want will cost about EUR 200,000, plus EUR 35,000 for purely incidental building costs.

For what you have in mind, you and your parents should consult a creative and experienced architect and discuss the project with them; everything else will not lead you to your goal in my opinion. Only after that should you request offers from various providers, but I think that - contrary to your assumption - you will be better off with a smaller construction company.

You say you are from NRW; I live and work there. If you do not know an architect to whom you want to entrust this project, you can email me. If "we" match geographically, I can refer you to a good architect who can not only think creatively but also keep an eye on your budget.

Kind regards