Take money for free planning?

Hello everyone!

We have currently shortlisted 3 companies when choosing a property developer. One of them is Laux Fertigbau from Saarland. They have now offered to design our house according to our wishes (we sent a list as text) freely. They have their own draftsmen but also work with architects. The agreement would be that we have to pay €1500 for this planning work if we ultimately decide AGAINST the company. However, we would get the plans/drawings in hand and could also have the design built by other companies if we wanted. If we decide on Laux, then this planning is part of the project and costs nothing extra.

Basically, I find the arrangement fair, and I also find it interesting to see what an architect from the area comes up with if you just let them work. I still have some concerns about spending the money because I fear that this might create a kind of "preselection" for the construction company and that we might then be influenced in our decision to build with them so as not to have wasted the €1500.

The other company (currently number 3 in my mental ranking) is called DHI, and the third is a very regional provider who has neither a homepage nor brochures but has been building houses in the region for over 20 years and basically lives off word-of-mouth recommendations. I talked to them for a long time; it was all very pleasant, but I have no price estimate yet, and the aversion to everything digital (no smartphone, no homepage) puts me off a bit. On the other hand, of course, their order situation despite complete absence of any advertising speaks for the entrepreneur.

Best regards Kati

the third is a very regional provider who has neither a homepage nor brochures, but has been building houses in the region for over 20 years and lives almost exclusively from word-of-mouth recommendations. I talked to them on the phone for a long time, it was all very sympathetic, but I don't yet have a price estimate and the aversion to anything digital (no smartphone, no homepage) puts me off a bit. On the other hand, of course, their order situation with the complete absence of any advertising speaks for the entrepreneur.

A builder builds, and I personally find no website "just as good" as one that the neighbor's kid made back when people still said Hohmpäidsch and where now a happy new year 2015 would be wished. To me, that smells like someone whose work and I would be happy with, and thus a well-deserved second place in your favor.

One is Laux Fertigbau from Saarland. They have now offered us to plan our house freely according to our wishes (we sent a list as text). [...] If we decide on Laux, then this planning is part of the project and costs nothing extra.

Those are, if I remember correctly, the ones with experience in split level, which would be advantageous for your project.

Take a look at HausbauSaar, they include architectural planning in their service package, alternatively you can also come with a finished architectural design. They build solid, wood, and Hebel houses, and have several major trades directly within the company. The homepage is not quite as informative as the FB page. However, I cannot report from personal experience, it was recommended to us.

I would talk to the small company without a homepage, sounds like a family business. Get to know each other, show plans, communicate time and price expectations, are the subs local craftsmen (because of warranty and expanding wishes). The main contractor has a reputation and will still have it in 10 years. The 1500€ for planning would be worth it to me.

Experience with split level, which would be advantageous for your project.

If it really involves such specialties, I would definitely choose a company that has already built something like this several times.

Have a look at HausbauSaar, [...] However, I can't report from personal experience, it was recommended to us.

Unfortunately, the references are limited to three-liner customer testimonials from Ms. Hinz and Mr. Kunz from Ortsname without pictures of the completed houses. Otherwise, I will take a look at the place.

The homepage is not quite as expressive as the FB page.

That probably means initially nothing more than that the target group will mostly be under 50.

I would talk to the small company without a homepage,
sounds like a family business.

Let's say, "owner-operated" (and "suspected" validity of a handshake / the horse trader's word of honor).

The general contractor has a reputation and will still have it in 10 years.

... and already had it when the "Internet" as we know it today did not yet exist :-)