Renovation of a 1960s house: Questionable expert recommendations?

Hello everyone,

We sat down last week with our preferred construction company. Actually, we expected at least a rough cost estimate of what the renovation will cost us. (The company has the floor plan, was once extensively on site, took their own pictures, and also later received pictures from us, showing, for example, the open floor or similar...) However, since there are only the floor plans attached in the previous posts for our house, we were presented with an offer for the creation of a measurement survey. For the data collection and all drafter hours that would be due up to a building permit, €4,500 is charged, including building permit costs. In addition, the static analysis costs €700. That totals €5,200 net.

Is something like this justified? Basically, in my opinion, the most important measurements could also be read from the floor plan and, for example, component structures could be checked through the creation of corresponding openings. At least so that a cost estimate of, for example, €250k +/- €20k is possible. Or are these fixed costs that are simply necessary to prepare for execution?

We are now going somewhat in circles. The energy consultant is waiting for the decision whether it should be KfW85 or 100 and we cannot decide that because we still have not the slightest idea what the construction company wants for the entire renovation or how high the difference between the two variants is...

The actual planning start would then be in November, the renovation from the middle of next year.

We have two more companies on site in mid-September. If they also start with Adam&Eva, the whole thing will drag on to infinity. What are generally usual timeframes between the decision "yes, we are renovating" and "craftsmen move in"?

Thanks and regards

Since there are only the floor plans attached in the previous posts for our house, we were presented with an offer to create a survey.

You mean those from posts #55 and #57? - they are mostly sufficient to build upon and to select relevant points for individual actual measurements. If they come from the approval building file, I would not doubt their authenticity back then. Where something was changed can also be checked well with them. I consider the effort nonsense (so not just luxury). Structural documents would still be helpful - where one would even want to intervene, of course. So drink tea, but don't wait ;-)

Is something like this justified? Basically, in my opinion, the most important measurements should also be readable from the floor plan, and for example, component constructions should be verifiable by creating corresponding openings. At least in such a way that a cost estimate of, for example, 250k +/- 20k is possible. Or are these costs that are simply necessary as preparation for an execution anyway?

So for the building application, someone definitely has to draw proper plans, have been on site, etc. The costs are probably justified or included in the total amount. But I see it like you do, that at least a very rough figure could have been discussed. Is it already clear exactly what is to be done? Whether the number given is realistic and whether +/- 20k or rather +/- 50k comes out blindly depends on too many factors. But the easiest thing is that you ask exactly your questions to your preferred construction company as well. What do they say about it? For the next appointment, take a list of concrete questions with you. Maybe you were simply "too passive" in the meeting and just would have needed to ask ;)

: Yes, I meant the posts. I just submitted a request to the responsible state archive to see if there are any further documents available there. Thanks for your assessment. I see it similarly. Whether a wall is now 10cm longer or shorter shouldn’t have a crazy impact.

: Yes, the scope is basically set; details haven’t been discussed yet. We were probably a bit defensive, you’re right. Since the company will basically provide a fixed price, we hadn’t accounted for costs for the preliminary recording and were admittedly a bit caught off guard. And the good man is from the Upper Palatinate and doesn’t say more than necessary ;) And we are also a bit reluctant to name our budget now, only to receive an offer that coincidentally differs by just three marks. I will definitely follow up with the company again, but first wanted to get a sense of how you see it...

Whether a wall is now 10cm longer or shorter,

... I particularly do not expect that at all here, and it can also be quickly measured for all relevant places. In my expectation, the house is built as planned and approved, with fewer tolerances in the angle compared to today (due to more conscientious masons) but instead more in plumb and flatness (because back then smaller stone formats and no planed stones).

Since the company will basically quote a fixed price, we did not calculate costs for the preliminary survey

Uh no yes, fixed price and measurement / secured plan congruence belong together. On the other hand: where suitable plans are available, one can also make classic mass and quantity offers, so why fixed price then?

Hello :-)

The building application with documents is also in the same range for us. On top of that came the surveying, because the lady from the building authority was not satisfied with the architect's documents, but a surveyor still had to create the visual and written part of the site plan :rolleyes: (totally irrelevant that she already had everything essential...)

Otherwise, it is also dragging on forever for us. We originally thought about hiring a company that would handle everything including the building application (because of the extension), but ultimately we separated the architect to get things moving. Because he also needs his time and is not finished yet.

We have also already made the Kfw decision. Only the offers from the construction companies are currently extremely difficult. One company wants to wait until the building application is approved, another is having a hard time partly because prices are so volatile right now. And when you receive a detailed offer (for which sometimes money is demanded in advance) you fall off your chair at how f...ing expensive it is.

So I feel for you :D