New single-family house - Join us on this journey!

I would like to make a few comments on your summary of the architect meeting:

First of all, I want to let you know that for the first time I really have a good feeling that we’re on the right path. Even though the cost estimates bring tears to my eyes (at a high level), we are looking forward to the planning!

Good! Better a realistic cost estimate than nasty surprises afterwards

The architect took a long time (almost 2.5 hours – unpaid). We talked about our personalities, the entire room program, further wishes, and much more. He actively followed up on every point and immediately brought in his inspirations

Sounds very good, especially that he wanted to know something about your personalities, I find that important! He is planning for your life and that only works successfully if he knows what moves you, what is important to you, and how you imagine the future!

He specifically showed me reference projects and explained how he proceeded back then. Especially the comprehensive 3D visualization & animation is very impressive. He offers this service additionally as a package (4-digit) and highly recommends it (I tend to agree)

With us the visualization is included in the fee, but the fee is also accordingly… We are very glad about it, it makes the architecture much more tangible than a floor plan. After every change, perfect, photo-realistic 3D views are delivered, from inside and outside, including furnishings, pictures on the wall, etc., plus films so that we can basically walk through the house. I would definitely buy that, it helps enormously!

The office basically takes over all service phases. However, he excluded personal construction supervision due to the travel distance. Nevertheless, the property belongs to the region and he can recommend construction supervision from his own network.

It’s the same with us, it can’t be any other way if the architect builds nationwide

He recommends installing a ground-source heat pump instead of an air-to-air heat pump or an air-to-water heat pump.

That speaks in his favor....

Regarding my summary, the offer now covers service phases 1-4 (exit clause after service phase 2) according to HOAI. Aside from the general contractor discussion, any concerns?

None except the general contractor

The architect explicitly excludes the project cost calculation as a service and grants an additional discount. The background is that he still assumes a general contractor construction and wants to involve this early in the planning phase. I pointed out that I still demand that he gives me valuable feedback on our overall cost planning (further cost items) during the planning. What do you say to that?

If he doesn’t want to do cost calculation, in my opinion only a general contractor remains, otherwise you will be completely in the dark. The advantage of individual awarding is precisely that you can turn left or right at every detail and every path is associated with costs. At least that’s how it is with us. For your project volume, I would rather avoid a general contractor – or does the architect always do it this way?

He categorically excludes a "design supervision as well as development of design wishes and details" as a service. Do you know what that means?

I don’t understand that or it depends on the general contractor execution. The offered 3D package should provide you with a realistic depiction of the finished building including interior design. And precisely for that the architect should stand and therefore also deliver a corresponding artistic overall object. So in my opinion this point belongs to it. You should definitely clarify that.

If he does not want to create a cost calculation, in my opinion the only option left is a general contractor, otherwise you will be completely in the dark. The advantage of individual contracting is precisely that you can turn left or right at every detail and every path is linked with costs. At least that's how it is with us. With your project size, I would rather avoid a general contractor – or does the architect always do it that way in general?

This point remains a bit unclear to me. The architect spoke very convincingly that he has several general contractors on hand who have smoothly built houses like ours for him.
I basically have nothing against a general contractor either, it also has its advantages (cost certainty).

He never categorically ruled out construction management. He also said that in the case of the construction management option, this can be involved very early (before the end of service phase 4) and then takes part in the cost estimation. Hmm...

I don’t understand that or it depends on the general contractor execution. The offered 3D package should provide you with a realistic depiction of the finished building including interior fittings. And precisely for that the architect should stand and therefore also deliver a corresponding artistic overall object. So in my opinion this point belongs to that. You should definitely clarify this.

I think that fits. I assume he means really intensive interior design (including carpenter planning). I have seen several 3D visualizations. They all had great fictional furnishings, there were garden elements, surroundings, etc.

The architect also really likes building in solid wood construction alongside solid stone. He showed me some really great buildings in this regard. However, I have not yet dealt with [Massivholz] and need to create a basis for decision-making beyond the design for myself. Things like lower weather resistance or sound insulation put me off a bit - but I need to read up more.

Things like lower weather resistance or soundproofing put me off a little bit - but I need to read up more.

The wood (of the supporting structure) isn't exposed to the weather (apart from construction errors). Soundproofing is a much bigger issue, which doesn't depend only on the wall structure (and where "modern" solid houses made of light stones also don't have their specialty). The windows are important, the insulation (if you don't build monolithically), the materials and furnishings in the interior, the ventilation, and much more. If the topic is (very) important to you, the conversation with the architect should definitely be steered in that direction again, although I don't believe he builds sensitive places for such project volumes :) Out of curiosity, does he also have general contractors for the solid wood construction?

The wood (of the supporting structure) is not exposed to the weather (apart from execution errors). Sound insulation is a much bigger issue, for which it does not only depend on the wall structure (and “modern” solid houses made of lightweight stones are also not particularly strong in this area). The windows are important, the insulation (if you don’t build monolithically), the materials and furnishing in the interior, the ventilation, and much more. If this topic is (very) important to you, the conversation with the architect should definitely be steered in that direction again, although I don’t think he builds soundproof houses at such project volumes :)

Out of curiosity, does he also have general contractors for the solid wood construction?

Good question! There was too much information for the first appointment, so I didn’t probe deeper there.

In general, he spoke of general contractor construction. In the context of timber construction, however, he mentioned very professional carpenters who execute the house. However, there is a big gap between carpenter and general contractor.
My list of questions for 22nd & 23rd August (follow-up appointments) is growing.

Would you be willing to review my assumptions about the costs of various components (independent of construction) and give me feedback? My architect has already taken a rough look. Next week things get serious. I need to finalize my overall cost planning in order to then set the final construction budget, with which the architect can plan.