Payment of the architect

Hello everyone,
I have a question and hope there is a general answer to it.

Today we have the first appointment with a construction company, which appears as the general contractor in a potential project and works together with an architect.
If we ask them for an offer and the architect has to prepare the initial floor plans here, when do we then receive an invoice?
It is mainly about whether, if you request several offers, an invoice arrives at the house each time...

Stupid question? I hope not (:
Is the answer already available in another thread? Then I would be grateful for the corresponding link.

Thank you very much in advance!
thelastscout

Hello,

We have our first appointment today with a construction company that acts as a general contractor (GÜ) for a possible project and works together with an architect.
If we get a quote from them and the architect has to prepare the first floor plans here, from when will we then receive an invoice?

"Normally," in house construction via general contractor (GU/GÜ), the architectural costs are included in the house price. However, there are other scenarios, for example with many prefabricated house providers or smaller construction companies, which have to purchase architecture/structural engineering services externally.

Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that you ask about the conditions regarding the architect at the beginning of today's conversation! There is no generally valid statement.

Rhenish regards

Okay, thank you very much. The first drafts are made for free. Next week we have an appointment [Architekten]. I'm already excited!

Best regards

At the first appointment, no drafts are made. It is a getting-to-know-you session, and when it comes to costs and house prices, wishes and ideas regarding the house and equipment elements are inquired about and roughly calculated based on a reference house.

It will be a GÜ and the "drafts" are variations of "Stadtschloss 200" and "Villenheimer 300"... depending on the plot - and if that is really the case - you can completely save yourself that; it will only result in nonsense anyway.

My tip: be careful! With our construction company, it initially sounded very trustworthy. Everything was non-binding and after all, the advisor was so likeable to me that I went against my gut feeling and gave preference to the company he represented over another, with which I would certainly have been better advised. Now I regret having chosen this company.