Is it sensible for an architect to be associated with a general contractor?

Hello!

A similar question has already been asked, so my answer will be similar to the one I gave some time ago.

I find the approach of going to various general contractors with an architect's design to be optimal; we did exactly that (we also have a construction blog: Google search: Baublog Budenheim).

Only if you go to the construction companies with the same architect plans and detailed wishes regarding equipment can you get comparable offers.

Ideally, you have already specified as much as possible and included it in the price comparison:
Heating (gas, geothermal, solar thermal, photovoltaics, active/passive cooling), ventilation (central, decentral, with/without heat recovery, auto-bypass control), stairs (open/closed, wood/concrete), sliding doors, windows (RC-2, french balconies, transom, frame color), front door (automatic locking, motor lock, fingerprint), shading options (electric roller shutters, venetian blinds, Somfy), entrance canopy, terrace design (paving, Bangkirai), parking spaces, floor and wall coverings (tiles, parquet, vinyl, wallpaper, painter’s fleece), electrical (number of sockets, e.g. 80 pieces), outdoor facilities (entrance stairs, driveway, carport, garage, bike and garden shed), additional equipment (laundry chute, cistern),...

This also concerns the ancillary building costs that must be included in the offer comparison (architect, structural engineering, soil survey, earthworks, construction electricity/construction water, construction waste disposal, house connections, surveying, energy certificate,...)

All construction companies should be able to meet such equipment requests as I have mentioned.

If you want to decide beyond that which construction techniques (which brick? which insulation material? ventilation system on or in concrete ceiling?) are used and which products and brands are used (basement company, heating, ventilation, windows, front door,...), you have to build with the architect and individual contracts, because the construction company will not deviate from certain concepts that have been tested and proven for them.

On the other hand: when everything comes from one source, it has the advantage that a single company bears responsibility and can be held accountable if necessary. It cannot happen that responsibility for delays in construction or other problems is shifted from one company to another. If there is also an external building surveyor involved (who can also advise you on the choice of construction company), you are very well protected.

Good luck and all the best with your building project!

You are not allowed to reuse the floor plan - strictly speaking - or only with the consent of the architect who designed it. It is subject to copyright!

Where did my post about that go, was that link one too many again? The bottom line is that a certain level of intellectual creation is required for a floor plan to be worthy of protection. This level of creativity is regularly not reached with standard, run-of-the-mill catalog floor plans. It is a different matter if an architect, for example, designs a house specially adapted to the particular requirements of a single location (split-level; integrated pool with waterfall, floating, cantilevered levels with optimal orientation to point xy, courtyard, etc.)

Where has my contribution to this gone, was that already one link too many?

You’ve really been around here long enough – Yvonne recently reminded you of that. Just leave out links from your posts; like now, it works just fine ;)

In any case, the bottom line is that a certain, special level of intellectual creativity is required for a floor plan to be worthy of protection. This level of creativity is regularly not reached with run-of-the-mill standard catalog floor plans. It’s different when an architect, for example, designs a house specially adapted to particular requirements in a single location (split-level; integrated pool with waterfall; floating, cantilevered levels optimally oriented toward point xy, courtyard, etc.)

That is correct; no one can reinvent the wheel, although a design is never the same as the previous one.

*I* find it borderline; even with supposed standard designs, it is often possible to recognize whose provider’s “handwriting” stands behind the architecture. Added to this is that the OP “actually” wanted to have an architect plan it but instead adapted a design of a third party.

Rhenish greetings