Building by yourself: 5 phases

30.03.2020

The classic planning and construction process comprises five phases:

Pre-project phase - The architect becomes familiar with the assigned task and first makes sketches of possible alternatives based on spatial and financial prerequisites.
Project phase - The planning phase moves forward until you obtain a building permit and also get a more exact cost estimate. If you agree with everything, the planning application is submitted to the responsible authorities.
Construction preparation - The next task is to set the various contracts out to bid and find suitable craftsmen or contractors to carry out the construction. By now, a timeline of construction activities should be on hand. In a round of bidding, the architect works out the final conditions with the contractors and suppliers. The final decision as to awarding the bids and having them carried out, however, is the responsibility of the building owner, in other words, you.
Construction phase - The job contracts are concluded (signed by the craftsmen, the architect and you). The architect takes over management of the construction or in some cases hands it over to a local specialised foreman. It's important that the individual groups of craftsmen are optimally coordinated on the construction site and that all deadlines are met.
Completion phase - The architect puts together the final invoice and handles any guarantee work that might be necessary as a result of defects. Finally there's the official handover of the constructed property together with the architect and the craftsmen.

The purchase process