Unfortunately, we did not discuss the budget. His argument was that he first needs to sketch and prepare something in order to be able to estimate at all.
We don’t even know how valuable his floor plan is. He simply put our wishes regarding the rooms, size, and location in the house on paper, created a 3D model, and clad some parts of the facade. Currently rather on a fantasy level.
Now we are worried that if we cancel the construction, the architect will want 15-20 thousand euros from us for the work he has already done.
You have fallen into the hands of a total beginner who wants to earn his money by billing computer graphics according to HOAI, and you were obviously so naive as not to make a proper architect contract with him. In the worst case, he will claim his corresponding fee according to the fee schedule for the work done so far and lost profit for the service phases up to the end of number 8, which he will no longer provide if the project at the current location is terminated. Sending the artist packing will nevertheless be your best option. An apparently improper approach following the service phases of the fee regulations would be the best leverage to bargain for a settlement. An architect with sufficient practical experience can already roughly say what it will cost based on the building volume alone - without having sketched a single line - when the plot is available and has been inspected.
You should definitely ask 10-15 construction companies.
I really like KfW40, but you have to be able and willing to afford it. And if I understand the thread correctly, this concerns solid construction and not timber frame construction.
And you will be surprised at what kind of exorbitant surcharges are sometimes demanded in solid construction. It’s a luxury finish which is priced accordingly.
At the beginning of last week, we sent out 6 or 7 emails. We wanted an initial consultation and wrote that there is a plot of land and we already have an idea of what we want. Only one replied we will get in touch with you. Nothing else happened. That’s why we don’t want to completely get rid of the architect yet, because there is no alternative.
Normally, I would say compared to a general contractor’s lapdog,
basically any architect is a better alternative. Unfortunately, you managed to find the exception. Nevertheless, you need an architect, initially please only commission him for service phases 1 and 2 – after that you have to see. Your “architect” should have noticed at the keyword “KfW efficiency level 40+” that the journey would most likely head towards timber panel construction, and the preliminary design planning should be carried out in a construction-method-neutral way. This insulation standard is also possible in masonry construction, but hardly monolithic. The fact is that timber panel builders have a “home advantage” with their decades-practiced thermal insulation integral system wall build-up compared to the masonry builders, who then have to go for such variants of thermal insulation composite system wall build-ups, which, however, they currently process significantly less often than those for the energy saving ordinance or KfW55. For them, this is already often enough of a unique selling point to ignore cold inquiries from unknown parties. They then naturally only respond to personal approach, preferably from people who come recommended by customers. That is why in such a constellation – although normally the “10 to 15 construction companies” recommended by are WAY too many – even thirty of them may not be enough if the goal is a selection from three to five comparable providers. Most providers will call suitable models “generation houses” in the heavyweight class with “grandma on board.” However, you should try to reduce that as far as possible to the middleweight class, because reality will come closer to the majority estimate of prices than naive hope. Generally, though, three-generation houses are hardly found in catalogs, so my advice is to plan with an architect – just not with this one. By the way, he should read what I think of “unprofessionals” ;-)
It’s best if you start a new thread (and link him here and there) with the completed questionnaire from the top of the floor plan section and also show the plot there.