Minimum scope of services Architect + structural engineer possibly self-performance?

Hello,

we would like to have a 140 sqm house (+ basement) built from solid Poroton bricks, on a slight slope, as a shell construction and do the interior finishing ourselves (budget approx. 250K€).

We want to keep the costs as low as possible. This also includes the costs for the architect and structural engineer.

Questions:

1. Which services should I take advantage of at least from a rational point of view?
2. Which services can I perform on my own (cost calculation, interior planning, etc.)?
3. Are there any other useful tips on how to keep the architect’s costs low?

Hello,

1. Which services should I at least use from a rational point of view? 2. Which services can I carry out independently (cost calculation, interior planning, etc.)? 3. Are there any other useful tips on how to keep the architect's costs low?

Only the architect is authorized to submit, so he must prepare all relevant documents for the building application and, after your countersignature, submit them to the building authority. You also won’t want to build without a structural engineer, as he, among other things, is responsible for the foundation based on the soil report and, for example, the thermal insulation certification.

After the building permit is granted, soil report and structural analysis are prepared, you can basically – provided you trust yourself – manage the construction alone and coordinate your ongoing costs according to measures and wishes.

Kind regards

Ok thanks for the answer.

What costs in % of the construction sum can I expect for the mentioned tasks of the structural engineer and architect with standard basic equipment?

I am confident in cost controlling and calculation during or before the construction phase.

Is it advisable for the architect/structural engineer or even an external expert to regularly inspect the progress of the shell construction? Or can I "blindly" trust the general contractor I commission for the shell construction?

Hello,

...
3. Are there any other useful tips on how to keep the costs for the architect low?

Not only the costs for the architect, structural engineer etc. need to be optimized, but the total costs.
With a high proportion of self-performed work, the construction method alone can have a significant influence. Many self-builders put the cart before the horse. The interior finishing, especially the building services, requires considerable expertise. In addition, there are numerous competing demands from the various trades. The layman is quickly overwhelmed. Furthermore, there are various safety-relevant requirements. Without precise dimensioning/planning, e.g. of the heating, hot water preparation and ventilation, and sufficient support during the construction phase, the planned "savings" will quickly turn into a loss-making business.
In addition, the corresponding specialist contractor declarations are required for the building completion notification.

Best regards

What percentage of the construction cost can I expect for the mentioned activities of the structural engineer and architect with standard basic equipment?

I am confident in cost controlling and calculation during or before the construction phase.

What about planning/site management? And by planning I do not mean the approval planning (building permit), but the planning of execution/details.

Is it also advisable that the architect/structural engineer or even an external expert regularly inspects the progress of the shell construction?

Definitely. Ideally someone who not only takes over construction supervision but is also responsible for site management. You save yourself a lot of trouble if you have someone who knows at all times during the construction phase what is going on at the site and tells how it should be executed.

You should not save money on planning and site management. There are certainly other things to cut costs on.

Best regards

In particular, the building services engineering requires considerable expertise.

For heating and sanitation, my girlfriend's father is a specialist. He has been working for a local company for nearly 30 years and has already offered several times to take care of these parts for us. This would mean 2 major areas of concern less that I would have to worry about.

What about planning/construction management? And by planning, I do not mean the approval planning (building application), but the planning of execution/details

I have absolutely no idea about construction management and planning. I definitely need a specialist here, but which one?

Can I trust the company that I commission with the shell construction and basement (they will certainly assign a construction manager)? Or should the architect also come by every 4 weeks? Or is an external building surveyor better?

What is understood by the individual architectural services? As far as I have understood as a building expert, item 4 must necessarily be done by the architect. And partly item 8 should also be done. What is meant by the rest? I already have very clear ideas about the appearance, size, and floor plans of the house, so what else is needed?


1 - Basic evaluation Max 3 %
%

2 - Preliminary planning Max 7 %
%

3 - Design planning Max 11 %
%

4 - Approval planning Max 6 %
%

5 - Execution planning Max 25 %
%

6 - Preparation of awarding contracts Max 10 %
%

7 - Assistance with awarding contracts Max 4 %
%

8 - Site supervision Max 31 %
%

9 - Site support, documentation Max 3 %
%