Hello all!
We just bought a house in Bulle (Fribourg), and we would like to do some renovation but not sure how much the renovation cost will be, and if it is better we work with an architect/general contractor or manage it by ourselves. So it would be really appreciated to have some advices from people who have experience and know Switzerland.
the house: 200 sqm living area plus a cellar and a garage. 30 years old.
house will be available on 1st April 2014, we have April and May 2 months time to do the renovation.
The renovation work we are thinking of:
- change the heating system (current heating is electricity)
- change 5 windows ( 3 room windows, 2 roof windows) and 1-2 big glass door. We would like to enlarge the roof windows if possible
- renew 2 bathrooms
- polish the floor
- painting (interior and exterior)
- add one drywall in a big room (there was a wall there before, now we just want to add it back).
now we have a rough cost estimation from an architect: the heating is 50,000 chf, windows 10-20,000 chf, painting etc 25,000 chf. bathrooms 40,000 chf. this is just a very rough estimation. And he charge 15%-20% of the total price. but we will sign all the contract with the companies directly.
My questions is:
- what is the overall cost probably would be?
- is it worth to work with an architect/general contract in this project? in this case, is it better we sign the contract with the working companies directly or he sign the contract with them? plus, he requests that we pay his work in advance (50% now, as he is contacting companies to give quotation). is this the standard way of working here?
- if we do not work with an architect, what are the best way to find companies for the work listed?
Sorry for listing such a long post. your advices are really appreciated!!
- Caroline
We just bought a house in Bulle (Fribourg), and we would like to do some renovation but not sure how much the renovation cost will be, and if it is better we work with an architect/general contractor or manage it by ourselves. So it would be really appreciated to have some advices from people who have experience and know Switzerland.
the house: 200 sqm living area plus a cellar and a garage. 30 years old.
house will be available on 1st April 2014, we have April and May 2 months time to do the renovation.
The renovation work we are thinking of:
- change the heating system (current heating is electricity)
- change 5 windows ( 3 room windows, 2 roof windows) and 1-2 big glass door. We would like to enlarge the roof windows if possible
- renew 2 bathrooms
- polish the floor
- painting (interior and exterior)
- add one drywall in a big room (there was a wall there before, now we just want to add it back).
now we have a rough cost estimation from an architect: the heating is 50,000 chf, windows 10-20,000 chf, painting etc 25,000 chf. bathrooms 40,000 chf. this is just a very rough estimation. And he charge 15%-20% of the total price. but we will sign all the contract with the companies directly.
My questions is:
- what is the overall cost probably would be?
- is it worth to work with an architect/general contract in this project? in this case, is it better we sign the contract with the working companies directly or he sign the contract with them? plus, he requests that we pay his work in advance (50% now, as he is contacting companies to give quotation). is this the standard way of working here?
- if we do not work with an architect, what are the best way to find companies for the work listed?
Sorry for listing such a long post. your advices are really appreciated!!
- Caroline