New construction in NRW: Situation of construction costs and craftsmen 2024

Hi, we are currently facing a tough decision - to build ourselves or not. Actually, we would like to build ourselves, but the majority of our friends and acquaintances advise against it; the "uncertain" situation with building materials and "shortage of craftsmen" are mostly cited as reasons. None of them are really working in the construction industry, so their opinions should be taken with some caution. But since we also have no idea so far and the next step would be to consult an architect, we would like to hear your opinion. Is the situation really "that bad"? Actually, an architect should have good contacts with construction companies, and through good planning, strong delays should more or less be prevented. Or how do you see it?

I would say that the situation is currently as good as it hasn't been for a long time. You can get materials again, and slowly some craftsmen are becoming available as well. This was certainly more problematic in the last two years. Prices are still high, and interest rates are also high compared to two years ago; building must be affordable. In the medium term, however, I do not see any major drops in costs or construction interest rates of 1-2%.

As for planning... through good planning and a certain level of inventory, much can be cushioned. Whether your architect or contractor belongs to the good planners would be the real question.

Actually, we would like to build ourselves, but the majority of our friends and acquaintances advise against it; predominantly the "uncertain" situation regarding building raw materials and "shortage of craftsmen" is cited as the reason.

And you think that a construction company (often working with many subcontractors) does not have the same problems? They are all just human. While I don't find self-building (you probably mean hiring an architect and tendering trades separately) problematic in the currently very easing situation (many craftsmen are urgently looking for projects and raw material prices have come down well). At least not regarding costs and offers from craftsmen.

Actually, an should have good contacts with construction companies, and strong delays should more or less be prevented by good planning. Or how do you see it?

A good architect has contacts. But as I said, they are all just human, and nobody can offer friendship prices. At most fair prices and a certain security that the work will be done well if the architect works frequently with the companies. Good planning has also helped in the past. Normally, I don’t see strong delays anymore.

Hi, we are currently facing the agony of choice – to build ourselves or not. Actually, we would like to build ourselves, but the majority of our friends and acquaintances advise us against it;

You will face pains of an entirely different kind: the less knowledge the friends and acquaintances have, the more opinionated they become in advising for or against certain building methods or materials. An independent, non-selling consultant is very helpful in this regard. I am one myself, and there are quite a few of my kind. Architects are also a good choice for this task, and/or a consultant can lead you to an architect. But who are you anyway: a couple or a family with children, landowners or still searching for land?

Actually, an should have good contacts with construction companies, and strong delays should be more or less prevented through good planning.

An architect (from the area of the construction site) knows his people and also knows in which constellation they form a good team. The schedule is made by the architect in advance of the tender.

Everyone sees it a little differently. Whether you can build, meaning whether the financial means are sufficient, is told to you by your account, your salary, your bank, and the land prices as well as house prices. All of this should be well calculated. If the numbers add up, you can build independently. An architect or architect-designed house can achieve quite a bit more cheaply if you want a house in the higher price range. That’s where the architect scores points. If you want planning security without much fuss and exoticism, then in my opinion the general contractor still scores points.

And you think that a construction company (often working with many subs) doesn’t have the same problems? They all just cook with water.

He doesn’t say that at all. He never mentioned a construction company. For many who are dealing with house building for the first time, they don’t even know the term general contractor or construction companies that work with subs.

Actually, an architect should have good contacts with construction companies.

They do. But that doesn’t make building a house cheaper, rather it reduces construction errors and defects.

But as I said, they all just cook with water.

because vitamin B is water-soluble

and no one can offer friendship prices.

Yep.

Strong delays should more or less be avoided through good planning.

I’ll put it this way: an architect-designed house takes _on average_ longer than a turnkey house from a GC (regardless of Corona and material backlog, this has always been the case) and can easily be 20% over budget, precisely because prices change, you pay rent longer, and enter the readiness interest payment. But you also get more quality at more transparent prices.

we went to a local general contractor with an architect's design who works exclusively with local companies. Everyone knows each other and no one can afford to deliver poor workmanship. We moved in 1.5 years ago and had total costs that, after many comments here in the forum, are at most for a shanty (ok, that is a bit exaggerated). I would do it the same way again. If you can afford the interest rates, the situation is currently quite good in my assessment. The current subsidies are also quite generous.