The Old Suffering - Turnkey/Individual Contract

Good evening,

I think you are confusing some fundamental things here.

[*]Is an architect actually always the best choice when the client wants to be very close to the proceedings themselves (see arguments from klblb or also nordanney’s better half). Building a house with an architect also allows for a later change of awarding contracts than would be the case with a classic general contractor/general contractor with supervision.
[*]With the classic general contractor/general contractor with supervision, every client has to learn to distinguish between a cheapo and a reputable provider; this usually works quite quickly after a maximum of two conversations and skimming through the well-known forums. The cheapo will always have to sell the subsequently purchased socket at a higher price than the reputable provider. It is also more likely with reputable providers—with the contractor’s approval—to expand individual contracts directly with the craftsman.
[*]The equipment is actually not the issue; it shouldn’t be anyway. Here you can counteract early on and wishes remain just as implementable—of course against additional or reduced costs. Furthermore, it is always possible, for example, to completely remove the tiling trade (this is usually the issue) or the sanitary fixtures from the contract and then start looking for “own” craftsmen.

All in all, I know hardly any construction project where it was cheaper to build with an architect. Discipline is also required with awarding individual trades, otherwise it will quickly become a bottomless pit. And before any of you believe that an architect doesn’t also screw over “his” craftsmen, you might as well believe in Santa Claus.

Rhineland regards

And before any of you think that an architect doesn't also pull down "his" craftsmen's pants, you might as well believe in Santa Claus

I am involved in the contract negotiations with the individual trades and can confirm that these are not cozy get-togethers.

That you are "closer" with the architect when awarding contracts individually is something I definitely do not want to dispute! But that is only an advantage if you can and want to do it. But precisely that is what people who build [schlüsselfertig] do not want.

You don’t have to believe me, it’s just how it is. I have no desire to convince anyone here, but also no desire to be told by you how an architect supposedly builds.
It is simply in the nature of things that when awarding contracts individually with an architect, one has much more influence than with any other approach (general contractor/general planner/developer/etc.)

I am not trying to tell anyone how an architect builds – but honestly: a good architect who is successful in business also has methods to either get affordable offers or to make a craftsman appealing to the client. After all, he needs — just like the general contractor — reliable craftsmen whose performance he knows whenever possible.