Single-family house – new construction project from day one - and the planning begins

Here is a small update as promised:

1.) Unfortunately, the local general contractor is no longer an option for us. Unfortunately, our construction site is no longer within their area of operation (27 minutes or 31 km from the company headquarters). My personal impression, however, is that their order books are full and therefore currently only lucrative large projects are accepted. Very unfortunate!

2.) Schäfer-Haus is also already out of the running. We had a long phone call with the house salesperson responsible for us to arrange an appointment. From the beginning, the chemistry between us was not right. Even after the call, we somehow didn’t have a good feeling. Therefore, we finally refrained from an on-site meeting.

3.) The phone call to arrange an appointment with the house salesperson from Büdenbender-Haus, on the other hand, was very positive. We have a really good feeling and are already looking forward to the appointment. Perhaps this was also because we know the house salesperson privately through a few connections. Our initial meeting on-site is scheduled for early April.

4.) We have also been able to arrange meetings with the other prefabricated house companies. The initial contacts were all pleasant. Schwörerhaus and Bien-Zenker are scheduled for mid-May. With Hanse Haus we will be then at the end of May.

5.) We have not talked to Weberhaus yet. To be honest, I don’t even really know why...

In principle, we still have some “available slots” to fill. We will follow your advice and seek a conversation with a local architect. Furthermore, we would like to take a closer look at Nordhaus. Their website made a positive impression on us. Many thanks for the tip.

The search for a new general contractor candidate is sometimes difficult. In short, there are not very many in our region...

The same applies to the search for a suitable architect. What should one pay attention to when choosing here?

The children are – when they are little – of course bathed in the parents' bathroom. From teenage age, there's only shower then. What you don't know, you can't miss, right?

Guys will mostly not care. Girls will probably be mad at you. I would have found it really stupid not to be allowed to bathe anymore.

Why do you need an architect, FH people have their own, don't they...?

The same applies to the search for a suitable architect. What should you pay attention to when choosing one?

Word of mouth! Ask around. If you don't know anyone who has built with an architect, ask how satisfied they were or if they felt that the neighbor's architect took more care, etc. If not, then take a walk on a nice Saturday in the surrounding new development areas and talk to the homeowners while they are working in their gardens.

You can easily achieve KFW 55 with a solid house as well. And keep in mind that it actually doesn't matter how nice you find the seller, because after signing the contract you will have nothing more to do with them! I recommend inquiring at a model house park and other regional providers ....

I see no problem if the tub is in the parents' bathroom. It was the same for us. If I wanted to take a bath, I just went to the other bathroom.

Why do you need an architect, FH people have their own, don't they...?

True. But we would also like to get advice from an architect as an alternative to the FH provider.

Our wish would be for the architect to take over the planning and the construction management/-inspection (awarding the individual trades, etc.). Basically like a general contractor - if there are even architects who do that?!

I see no problem if the bathtub is in the parents' bathroom. It was like that for us too. If I wanted to take a bath, I simply went to the other bathroom.

I think so too. By the way, it was no different in our parents’ houses. Somewhere, in my opinion, you have to set priorities and keep an eye on costs. I find that children having their own bathroom at all is pure luxury and by no means standard...

——- We ordered information material today from Kern-Haus (regional solid house provider). However, we somehow have reservations about a Duotherm exterior wall. We would prefer a vapor-permeable wall... Has anyone had experience with Duotherm walls?