When will the contract be signed with the general contractor...?

Dear forum,
dear GC-experienced builders ;-)

The architectural plans were submitted to local GCs.
Offers are available.

We have adjusted the "rough" details - blinds, sliding doors, basement equipment, windows, stairs...
For every finer detail we mentioned - interior plaster, doors, window sills, electrical like switches etc. - they said that will come in the execution planning and EVERYTHING is possible....

Now we want to proceed with a GC.
How far into detail should we go before the contract is signed?

How often did you meet and how detailed did you get before you signed your GC contract?
Signing after 1-2 meetings feels strange, what else is there to clarify beforehand?

Thanks and regards
GD

I remember three meetings on site. 1) Getting to know each other and clarifying expectations. Afterwards, commitment: with you we will build. 2) Discussions of the initial draft, then some emails and phone calls until the final planning was set. Prices were also connected with this. 3) Final discussion with adjustment of the price, the installments, setting the Xtras, and plan for how the house should be placed on the land. Beforehand, the BU inspected the property. At the end of the third appointment, my wife and I and he stood up and shook hands. That was the contract. His secretary, who was present, repeated everything that had been discussed once again. This was later put into a protocol to make it clear to everyone exactly what we shook hands on. There was no other document. Everything was then built exactly as agreed. Some trust on both sides is naturally required. But you can tell whether the other person is genuine or a scammer.

Dear forum, dear general contractor experienced clients ;-)

The architect plans were submitted to local general contractors. Offers are available.

We have adjusted the "rough" details - blinds, sliding doors, basement equipment, windows, stairs... For every finer detail we brought up - interior plaster, doors, window sills, electrical like switches, etc. - they said that comes in the construction planning and EVERYTHING is possible....

Now we want to proceed with a general contractor. How far into details should we go before the contract is signed?

How often did you meet and how far did you go into details before you signed your general contractor contract? Signing after 1-2 meetings feels strange, what else needs to be clarified before?

Thanks and regards GD

We met a maximum of 3 times before our commitment.

However, before that, we made a planning contract. After the building permit was issued, we signed the construction contract. The price from the offer (before the planning contract) applies until now (foundation slab completed). According to the managing director of the general contractor, it applies until completion.

The architectural plans were submitted to local GCs.

That means you have now received some that seem buildable enough to you. I’m glad to hear that.

We adjusted the "rough" details – blinds, sliding doors, basement equipment, windows, staircase... For every finer detail we addressed – interior plaster, doors, window sills, electrical like switches etc. – they said that will come in the construction drawings and EVERYTHING is possible….

In the construction drawings will come the positions of the switches and dimensions of the window sills (but not their qualities) and all that kind of stuff, about which the client couldn’t provide a qualified opinion anyway and which only the formwork carpenter and the rebar bender want to know. In short, "everything you see in the result" should (also in terms of timing) be in place before signing. For everything that is contractually agreed upon, you are the customer – for everything else, a supplicant. Besides, a GC who says "everything is possible" copied this text from a realtor ;-)

How often did you meet

3x: 1. Getting to know each other, introduction, chit-chat, handing over the construction service description Phone calls and emails about cost breakdowns 2. Chit-chat, handing over the contract, then several phone calls/emails about additional items 3. Signatures

The contract was signed with us after we had long since started building (I believe the shell was even already up). Of course, we knew the contract itself and everything was discussed.. but the construction company did not present anything to sign for a long time. We wondered whether it was possible to build without a contract. It was a construction company from the surrounding area and there was a pleasant relationship of trust.