Planning/Architect, possible execution by "prefabricated house providers"

It must of course be "doesn't put anything useful on paper"...

This is new to me, until now it was always free; at least from the headquarters. I infer from this approach that you make your decision regarding consultation effort based on a prospect's willingness to invest money in a planning contract.

That's exactly one way to put it... My experience is that customers who seriously engage with the topic are also willing to pay something for good consulting service. As a result, I certainly have somewhat fewer consultations, but not necessarily fewer customers..

Best regards

This is new to me, until now it was always free; at least from the main office. I infer from this procedure that you make your decision in favor of consulting effort based on the willingness of an interested party to invest money in a planning contract.

That was of course a quote..

Now the question: an architect does not plan these things for nothing. First of all: Is the topic still current or has it already been decided? If still open - with prefabricated house manufacturers, usually only the input planning service phase 1-4 is carried out by a freelance architect, whereby the manufacturers often work together with "their" architectural offices. Workshop, detail planning and production planning are done in the factory itself, adapted to the construction method, wall structures, etc. of the manufacturer. In the case of a high-quality prefabricated house, the total costs in the end are certainly no lower than for a single-family house planned by an architect with workshop planning, tendering, individual awarding and construction management. The costs are just distributed differently. I would rather focus on the question of which architect can best realize the desired house, how the house should look, etc.