KFW55 Expert - How does it work?

We also build KFW 55 and have an expert who was commissioned by the GU. We are still in the planning phase or have just submitted the building application. Remember that the expert is also funded at 50%! However, this must be applied for before the start of the project!

He was commissioned by the general contractor, but paid by you? Or how does the subsidy work then?

And what do you say about the passage in the KFW leaflet regarding independence?

The expert must be economically independent for the construction project. In addition to consulting, planning and construction supervision for the project, the expert must not [...] be commissioned by these companies or suppliers

If you read it in detail like this, you almost come to the following interpretation:
- Construction company commissions expert for consulting, planning and construction supervision
- But must not commission the expert for other things
!?

The KFW is known for unclear formulations (e.g. with the combination of Kfw40 Plus and Renewable Energy Act => but that is another topic).

He was commissioned by the general contractor, but paid by you? Or how does the subsidy work then?

Correct, we ultimately pay when the invoice arrives. We have also already received mail from the expert, meaning the communication runs through us.

We have also already received confirmation for the subsidy. I can check at home again to see exactly what it says there.

And what do you say about the passage in the KFW leaflet regarding independence?

I think that is probably correct, or done quite frequently. That’s also what our general contractor said....

I called KFW and they also said that this would not be a problem. As long as the expert is on the list, it is okay. He just should not be permanently employed by the company. The grant is available if the invoice is addressed to me (I don’t even have to commission him; as long as the invoice is addressed to me, the grant is given). If the general contractor takes care of everything, the general contractor can apply for the grant (no idea if he actually does that).

All of this was, of course, asked informally over the phone. So it is not legally binding or anything similar but a phone inquiry.

We are building KfW55, but with individual contracts and have therefore also awarded the energy consulting services separately. The expert adjusted the planning in advance with regard to the energy efficiency required for KfW55 and thus made specifications for the executing companies (insulation thicknesses, thermal bridge optimization, etc.). During the shell construction phase, the expert then checked and documented compliance with the specifications through several construction supervision appointments. I think that the clause about "economic independence" in the KfW regulations is primarily intended to ensure that the expert can assert themselves against the executing companies in case of doubt and is not a puppet of the general contractor.

The expert also has to do or check the calculations for the planning, right?

We currently have the problem that we cannot yet submit this "Online-Bestätigung zum Antrag (BZA)" for the KfW and therefore do not have a firm commitment for the KfW loan (a verbal commitment has already been given). The calculations are necessary for this "Online-Bestätigung zum Antrag (BZA)", but they can only be done once the planning is complete. And it is not quite finished yet because possibly a corner window will be removed.

It’s somehow a vicious circle...