Possibility of preliminary questions to architects

Thank you for your answers.

I want to build with a general contractor.
I hesitated and had questions about a (good) offer.
The general contractor is therefore coming to the site with his architect to clarify the questions.

Even though it is important how the architect thinks, can listen, and can implement ideas and concepts, I also think that I first want to stick to the hard facts.

That’s positive already that the general contractor is taking time.

Point 1 and 3 are done by every good salesperson. Which does not necessarily mean that he is a good architect. With me, he could leave again if he comes with salesperson babble.

I would really look at how he responds to you. He would have to know the floor plan, development plan, and budget. Something is not quite right. See how he handles it and brings solutions. Does he work according to a fixed scheme or does he involve you?

Does the GU already have your wishlist and no-gos? Does he already have a list of points that you value, e.g., large dining table, dressing room with 8 m closet, attic converted for the model railway

How long is the architect your contact person? Only until the plan is drawn, until acceptance, does he take over the construction management?

One of the providers offered to come to the property for an informal conversation with the architect.

That does not sound to me like an architect in the literal sense of a freelance architect, i.e. a planner who understands the client; rather like a building application draftsman. This means, not least: someone who has nothing to do with the discretion of pipe installation, ensuring that switches are not poorly fitted, or even worse: with creating residential comfort, because none of that is relevant for approval.

So I fear nothing more than a sales talk, in which the provider’s psychologically most important reinforcement is having the relevant property "with them," and showing the face of their draftsman for further support, so that the association with professional competence can be established. I expect no more than a shared visual impression of the dimensions and flatness (or slope) of the building plot.

You will express your thoughts about your building dream, the provider will say that it is feasible, and the draftsman will nod competently. On the one hand, the situation will be far from testing the "architect" to see whether he is a good or very good one—for this job one usually accepts satisfactory to sufficient.

And on the other hand—actually the most important: from my point of view, you should prepare yourself less with questions and more with answers. Look at the development plan and ask yourself whether you understand it: for example, number of storeys, building heights and their reference points in the terrain can make two properties that look identical buildable to a very different degree.

You best assess the planner’s and implementer’s qualities of the general contractor and their team by checking their references. That means also: you better look at their "architect" on one of their current construction sites and have them explain which special features they had to consider there.

I think a pure planner will never come onto the property. A trained salesperson will wipe the concerns off the table and that's it.
Some really can and want to be individual.

You are right, if it is an architect provided by the general contractor, it is not about finding the right architect, but about finding the right general contractor. Then focus on communicating your own ideas about life, habits, and preferences well. We found that indeed – as suspected – a lot of marketing mumbo jumbo answers came to our questions. These providers were simply not considered and we ended up with an independent architect.

: The general contractor has not yet received a detailed wishlist, only initial framework conditions were set for the preparation of the offer.

I informed the sales manager in the conversation that I have questions regarding the offer, also concerning the construction and integration into the existing structure on the property. (standing house must be demolished, height profile, base slab)

He then offered me the appointment together with the architect. As was determined, this is not about a free search for an architect. If I am to build with this general contractor, then this gentleman will also be the executing architect, so I find it a good sign that this appointment is offered in advance, as it is non-binding and clearly communicated that other offers are also being considered.

I will gladly report on how the appointment went.