When did you sign the work contract? Prior planning?

We only signed the contract for work after the weeks-long planning phase and several change requests.

What exactly does planning phase mean: Did you have the provider do the planning or do you mean your own considerations at the home desk? Or, to put it drastically: Was it possible that they met with you several times over a few weeks, that it was changed several times, and that you could have still said upon handing over the final draft, sorry, we’re not building with you?

Yes, that's exactly how it happened with us.

Hello,

first of all, I would buy the plot of land and then continue with the house planning. I would plan the floor plan as far as possible and also have the desired extras (e.g. colored windows, fireplace, blinds, etc.) included in the offer.

Best regards
Sabine

Basically, of course yes, it all depends on the plot of land.

But since we didn't want to wait idly (we need more space!!!), it seemed sensible and interesting to us to already browse floor plans, look at customer houses, and so by now we have a pretty good idea of what we want.

So you think it has to be "expected" that we carefully look at the sampling beforehand, have it calculated, and tell the architect that we want to widen this and that, enlarge, have this window added, floor-to-ceiling here, a partition wall there, and that we would like all that planned and calculated without having to fix ourselves absolutely by signature beforehand?

I would definitely do that beforehand, otherwise it might become very expensive later. What is the name of the company you feel good about?

Best regards
Sabine

So you think it must already be "expected" that we thoroughly review the sample selection in advance, have it calculated, and tell the architect that we want to widen this and enlarge that, this window should still be added, floor-to-ceiling here and a partition wall there, and that we would like to have all that planned and calculated, without having to absolutely commit ourselves in advance by signing?

No! Just because some have pushed it to the limit does not mean you should take it to extremes yourself. What are you waiting for? What do you expect? That the company should provide five-figure advances? Everything is a give and take.

The company has given you signals, now it’s your turn.

There’s nothing more to say.

Hello,

So you think it has to be "expected" that we thoroughly review the selection beforehand, have it calculated, and tell the architect that we want to widen and enlarge this and that, this window should still be included, here floor-to-ceiling and there a partition wall, and that we would like to have this planned and calculated, without us being absolutely bound by signature in advance?

At this point, I expect the client to honor these services. Either there is a chargeable offer or a signature. Because from my perspective, these are services that cost time and therefore money in the form of several man-hours. Even if computers can do many things "at the push of a button," often a person still presses the button after time-consuming thinking.

Kermit