Offers from GUs: Only one sum, subcontractors

Hello,

we are currently obtaining quotes from general contractors (GUs) and I have the following questions:
- Is it common to receive only a total sum, i.e. no breakdown by trade? I find this a bit difficult; I would like to know what each trade costs and where the cost drivers are.
- Is it usual for a smaller construction company to do everything themselves except electrical and plumbing? I had actually expected that, for example, flooring or window installation would be done by the appropriate craftsmen as subcontractors.

Thank you very much for your feedback.
unser_schloss

Yes, with smaller GUs a lot stays in-house. And the price is what concerns you. If you buy a car, the final price is what matters. What the dashboard costs and how much profit is made on it is none of your business.

Is it common to only receive a total sum, meaning no breakdown of the trades?

Yes! It is a mixed calculation for the general contractor.

One of the many reasons for our general contractor was that the individual trades were itemized separately and fairly evaluated. If this were not the case, the credit for own services or subcontracting a trade could potentially be disappointingly/unrealistically low, or the costs for increases could sometimes be somewhat higher. However, this is not uncommon; with three offers, this happened twice as you described.

I lacked transparency for the reasons mentioned above.

one of the many reasons for our GC was that the individual trades were itemized separately and fairly evaluated. If this is not the case, the credit for own work or outsourcing a trade could be disappointingly/unrealistically low, or the costs for an increase could also sometimes be somewhat higher. It is not unusual though, with three offers, this was twice as described by you. I lacked transparency for the reasons mentioned above.

It was similar for us... exactly this breakdown and evaluation of ancillary costs or own services led us to agree to the GC.

We initially received only the final price. After a handshake, he later provided how this final price is composed.