Preliminary talks with providers behind us

We have decided to build; whether there will be a reason to be happy, we will see in the course of time. We have already had the first discussions and would like to share them. We have already purchased a plot of land. We have decided on a single-family house in the heart of the Ruhr area. The first contacts took place in 01/2012. Heinz von Heiden: very quick appointment, good advice from Mr. Küpper, quick offer prepared Bau direkt: quick appointment, good advice from Mrs. Steubing, waiting for offer GK-Immobilien: have not gotten in touch until today (25.01.2012) Fingerhaus: quick appointment, good advice from Mrs. Lamprecht from Fingerhaus, waiting for offer Fingerhuthaus: quick appointment, good advice, quick offer Nessen Dortmund: waited a long time for an appointment, very good consultation (but had to go to Dortmund, all others came to the house) waiting for offer profuture Düsseldorf: quick appointment, advice from Mr. Schreiber did not please us at all, have not sent an offer until today. I believe Mr. Schreiber thinks we cannot afford the house Favorit : appointment next week The construction descriptions already vary greatly for some and so do the prices. I noticed that a prefabricated house is more expensive than a solid house.

Hello,

We have decided to build ... We have chosen a single-family house in the heart of the Ruhr area. The first contacts took place in 01/2012.

8 providers - you have really taken on quite something

The construction descriptions already differ greatly in some cases and so do the prices. I noticed that a prefabricated house is more expensive than a solid house.

A prefabricated house "must" be more expensive; this results from the method of manufacture.

Regarding the BB - I know some of them, also from the aforementioned companies - read very carefully: what is not included is "not" purchased! Among the 8 you have selected, by the way, there is only one who builds the shell with his own masons and the rest with the always same craftsmen.

Inform yourself carefully and don’t just look for experience reports here or through Aunt Google. Go on your own to a new development area - there are more than enough of those in the Ruhr area as well. Talk on site with the builders there - ask them everything that seems important to you in connection with your new build (don’t forget incidental construction costs and additional purchases). Ask especially how the respective providers deal with problems: there is no construction without errors, too many people are involved in the construction.

You won’t get such "important" information from contracts or BBs either, which themselves should not be underestimated.

Best regards

Regarding the BB - I know some of them, also from the aforementioned companies - read very carefully: what is not included, is "not" purchased!

This sentence should be emphasized again. As a layperson (you usually build for the first time), you initially don't even know what else can be added, and often it is not discussed concretely. Especially the incidental building costs can very easily reach 10,000-14,000 euros, so don't forget that in financial planning.

We also had to note big differences in the included items. Pay attention, for example, to the sanitary fixtures— is a specific product named or is it just formulated generally? Also ask how the billing is handled when you decide on other items. I know neighboring builders whose final sanitary fixtures had surcharges in the four-digit range, although it was nothing particularly exclusive. The completely unrealistic list prices were charged and the purchase prices of the standard were credited. Similar applies to floor coverings (if included at all), the staircase, windows, heating, etc.

We also spoke to 7 providers before the start of construction; it’s a mammoth program but I can only advise everyone to research as broadly as possible.

@ Our house: How do you define good advice?

I'll give you just one tip: Find builders who have completed construction with these companies!

Hehe, I'm currently building with one of those mentioned. But I don't know Mr. Schreiber.

@Building expert. Who builds with their own bricklayers? Not mine. But they also always build with the same craftsmen.

For a small regional general contractor (Baustil GmbH, but they only build within a 50km radius around Wetzlar/Middle Hesse). Ultimately just a 3-man team, but they simply convinced us personally; sometimes you just don’t need more. Construction was done only with regional craftsmen, who all knew each other and were able to coordinate. We had only spoken before with larger companies (Viebrockhaus, Fischer, Dümer, Kern-Haus, OPTi-Haus, etc.), with whom we almost exclusively identified gaps as our knowledge grew. In retrospect, we are more than happy with the decision. We found this company only by chance at a construction fair in Gießen.

In this context, a tip: Have them explain how the support works after the contract is signed. Especially ask how many projects your site manager supervises at the same time. During the 4-8 months of construction time (for us, it was just under 6), hundreds of small questions arise, which can sometimes make you very nervous if they are not resolved quickly. A site manager who is easy to reach saves a lot of stress.

Also ask how they assist with formalities. Applications for electricity, water, gas, telephone have to be submitted, something can easily be overlooked and cause delays later. Without support, this is very tedious; some providers only give a list and for the rest, you are responsible.

Regarding additional construction costs: No major provider, for example, pointed out surveying costs to us, which can easily add another surprising 2000 euros. Most only mention gas, water, and electricity.

Keep us updated on how the further talks go.

Hello, regarding the ancillary construction costs I am very well informed. (I can be asked until it gets annoying) Luckily, I also have the time to research online. Since we are building with a basement (trucks, disposal, landfill fees, house connections and our cistern (mandatory) and so on and so forth... but thank you very much for the advice. I am always open to all suggestions. I forgot something!! We are building for the 2nd time.