You’ve dreamt about it, done the numbers and finally made the decision to build a ski chalet – whether it’s to be your family retreat, holiday chalet or investment property. But which company will you choose to manage your ski chalet build?
You’ve dreamt about it, done the numbers and finally made the decision to build a ski chalet – whether it’s to be your family retreat, holiday chalet or investment property. But which company will you choose to manage your ski chalet build?Of course you need complete confidence in the team that will oversee the design, planning, budgeting, tendering and construction of this once-in-a-lifetime ski chalet build. So to help your decision-making process we have listed the right questions to ask of any company you’re considering bringing on board as ‘maitre d’oeuvre’ or constructor to build your ski chalet. We’ve also outlined what to look out for and warning signs. Hopefully if you’re reading it you’re considering engaging our team on your project, so we have answered the questions for you too and asked our clients what they thought about working with us …
QUESTIONS TO ASK PROJECT MANAGERS
What is your standard m2 construction budget?
❗In the Haute Savoie project managers, architects and constructors usually work to €3,500-5,000 HT (‘hors TVA tax’ or ‘before VAT tax’) per m2. Their percentage fees will then be based on that figure, therefore the higher the m2 budget, the higher the construction cost and fee. Some companies offer a lower percentage fee which actually costs more as they work to a high construction budget. If it looks too good to be true, usually there’s hidden cost.
✅ The construction budget we work to for a ski chalet build is €2,800 – 3,000 HT per m2. We achieve this by keen negotiation, our partnership with our SIP manufacturer, finding cost efficiencies and good relationships with the trades. This is obviously dependent on soil conditions, design and client materials choices. However, as a comparison of 165m2 of habitable space, the relative costs would be:
Others: 165 x €3500 = €577,500 HT. 10% fee €57,750 HT. Total €635,250 HT
Vs
ECSUS: 165 x €2800 = €462,000 HT. 10% fee €46,200 HT. Total €508,200 HT
Therefore you can see the savings are significant. In addition, because we build ski chalets to passive standards that achieve AA energy ratings you will save significant sums on household energy bills into the future.
2. What is the scope of your mission?
❗Many constructors have a limited tendering process, and limited following of works/site visits.
✅ We pride ourselves on finding cost efficiencies and bringing in ski chalet build projects to the m2 budget we advise. We work with clients throughout the process to ensure the budget is respected and we negotiate effectively with contractors during our detailed tendering process. We are available when needed, flexible and always go the extra mile.
TESTIMONIAL
ECSUS brought a highly professional approach to the management of my ski chalet build project and showed a complete understanding of the French system; meaning I had total confidence that when issues arose, they were in safe hands. There was never a moment where I thought Steve wasn’t giving one hundred and ten percent and he was always available to help resolve issues. In a market where having good subcontractor relations is key, Steve was able to bring the right people to the job and deliver an affordable yet quality product.
M.Frost, Chalet Balmat
3. What are your estimate figures based on?
❗Do they have case studies showing those costs achieved? It’s easy to show low estimates to get clients to sign up, and for costs to spiral
afterwards – we have seen this happen on ski chalet build projects where the clients have gone elsewhere.
✅ Our estimates are based on dozens of recent projects in the area. Our brochure shows case studies where we have brought in ski chalet build projects on the advised budget and to excellent standards.
TESTIMONIAL
Steve was very clear with the estimated costs to build the house that we wanted. It was very clear what was included within the estimate and what was unknown and TBC. Even with the general increase in building materials the costs were very close to what was initially discussed and budgeted for.
M.Dredge, Chalet VDM
4. What is your ski chalet build schedule based on?
❗We lost out on a project last year because the competitor told the client they could guarantee completion by Christmas. We advised the client it was unlikely that could happen due to various factors, and gave a realistic timetable that had completion 3 months later. The other company wrote into their contract a deadline guarantee with penalty clauses, which swung the client’s decision – we advised the client that it was unlikely any penalty for a delay could be successfully claimed given the long chain of contractors, organisations, climate and other contributing factors. When passing the project at Christmas we saw the windows were not even installed and it was not yet at air and water-tight, which it would have been under our timetable. The project was still under construction 3 months later, after we would have completed.
✅ We under promise and over deliver, offering realistic timetables, expert advice and options at all stages.
TESTIMONIAL
We absolutely loved working with Steve and ECSUS. He was professional, detailed, and listened well to what we needed. The ski chalet build was smooth and the all progressed according to the timings that were planned. If we ever were to build again (which is unlikely as we love the house he built) we would not hesitate to use ECSUS again.
M.Falkiner, Chalet Les Houches
5. Who is in your team supporting the project?
❗Check whether they are a one-man-band or the experience of their team. Do they have an expert in-house team supporting the project? When issues arise it’s vital to have a team you can rely on to keep your ski chalet build project on schedule.
✅ We have an established team that work well together, based in our office in Les Gets:
Office manager Maayan: A native speaker in both French and English, Maayan has great relationships with local Mairies and organisations, is experienced in organising all the necessary documentation and applications for service connections etc, and dealing with issues. She oversees our detailed tendering processes to ensure great value.
Project managers Craig & Pierre: Both native French and English speakers, they oversee all site coordination.
Architectural technicians Dave & Lis: Office-based, they both ensure detailed design is updated and distributed throughout the process so that changes are fully communicated and joined up across trades. Their detailed tendering documents ensure accurate quotes that don’t spiral down the line.
Architect/director Steve: Fluent in French and native English speaker, Steve oversees all elements of projects, bringing his decades of specialist experience in eco architecture. He finds cost effective solutions and expertly avoids and solves problems throughout the process.
TESTIMONIAL
There was a good relationship with the Marie to allow materials to be stored in the local car park. We did feel that we got value for money considering the timber pricing problems during the ski chalet build. We were offered lots of choices and advice for the interior and exterior finish and the opportunity to look at other properties completed by the company. The company were a very good reference point and helped us out a great deal with other areas of our project, post build.
Ms Shrubsole, Chalet S
TESTIMONIAL
ECSUS Design built our family chalet in Saint Jean d’Aulps, Morzine, delivering outstanding service from start to finish. We would 100% recommend them to anyone looking to build a home here in the Alps. Their professionalism, deep local knowledge, and fluency in French made the entire process seamless and stress free. They also made us feel important despite us being one of their smaller clients, which meant a great deal to us. From the initial concept and planning stages to managing construction with meticulous attention to detail, they guided us every step of the way.
Their expertise and guidance helped us make cost effective decisions while maintaining high quality standards. It also ensured everything ran efficiently whilst keeping inline with our dream to have an eco friendly home. Their support made all the difference, and we couldn’t be happier with the end result. M.Adamski, Chalet SJD
TESTIMONIAL
We liked the one to one contact with Craig the project manager who was always responsive to our needs and kept on the case of the sub-contractors.
M.Wood, Chalet Chevreuil
6. What are your qualifications – do you have the specialist knowledge to find cost-effective solutions and negotiate?
❗Check their experience and training – if issues arise do they have the expertise to question the first solution proposed by a trade or organisation and find cost-effective alternatives?
✅ We can demonstrate where we have saved clients significant sums by using our specialist architectural and local knowledge and contacts.
TESTIMONIAL
According to our soil study, we would need far more extensive and therefore expensive foundations than we had expected. The Mairie at one point suggested that we would need to build an enormous and ruinously expensive retaining wall to make sure the road above our house didn’t slide down the hill as a result of the house construction. Luckily, Steve at ECSUS, a fluent French speaker and in possession of diplomatic skills which make him a loss to the UK Foreign Office, was able to steer them to a more moderate solution – an enrochement (or Big Boulder Wall as I like to term it). We owed him a beer or two for that.
Robin Kellett, Chalet 25
TESTIMONIAL
At the planning stage, as the architect had designed the ski chalet to be built with more
traditional construction methods, the whole design had to be interpreted and redesigned to work. Solutions were found for issues around balconies and how the concrete elements interacted with the wooden elements. There were also problems to be solved because the house was in an avalanche and flood zone. As the build progressed changes were made and choices had to be made, consultation took place and options were discussed with the team and decisions made and implemented. eg, colour of external wood structure, colour of all internal and external door and window furniture, exact dimensions and shape of balconies, extra external drainage
Internally, solutions and companies were found for some of the unknown costs – eg staircase and fireplace. which resulted in our design ideas being translated into reality without breaking the bank M.Dredge, Chalet VDM
TESTIMONIAL
We felt that ECSUS were always working in our interest, which is one of the reasons we went with a
project management company rather than with a construction company.
M.Wood, Chalet Chevreuil
7. What added value can you bring to ensure we make best use of the space?
❗When it comes to a perhaps once-in-a-lifetime chance to build your dream ski chalet check if your potential Project Manager understands your requirements fully and can suggest the best ways to maximise space and design so you don’t have regrets later.
✅ During detailed design architect Steve, and our architectural designers Dave & Lis, work together to ensure your ski chalet build works for you, is as eco friendly as possible, and to budget. We produce moodboards, plans and 3D renders to realise your vision perfectly.
TESTIMONIAL
One of the great ideas they came up with, which we used, was to design in a self-contained flat in the basement which could be used flexibly for either ourselves or for paying guests. This is a real advantage of our house now, and we wouldn’t have thought of that. Moving from the abstract plans on paper to seeing the space in real life and feeling how we were going to live in it helped tremendously when it came to the second and third fixes and we were grateful to have the flexibility to tweak ideas and designs due to the ECSUS Project Management model. I like to think we got almost all of our choices right, in the end (and we relied a lot on the ECSUS team for a professional view). The site was run incredibly smoothly.
M. Kellett, Chalet 25
TESTIMONIAL
It was on their suggestion that the position of the shower room door was changed.
The final positioning of the stairs did cause some head scratching, but was successfully resolved. After discussion with us, the team were able to solve the issue of the walkway that had to be added to the side of the building and doubling the size of the first- floor balcony. Both of which were not in the original plans. The results did exceed our expectations as the chalet was much more specious that we had imagined, the interior and exterior finish was good and we were very pleased with the recommendation about the size of the windows which has created a very light and airy feeling to the chalet.
Ms.Shrubsole, Chalet S
8. How transparent are your systems and how will I be able to follow the project?
❗Especially if you are at a distance you need to be sure you can stay fully informed and in control so there are no surprises, mistakes or miscommunication.
✅ Our ski chalet build process is completely transparent – clients are invited to our online Boards to view our quoting and invoicing processes on our online project management system Monday.com. Photos are uploaded after each site visit, and we schedule payments for easy budgeting.
TESTIMONIAL
We worked with ECSUS from the outset after purchasing the land through to final completion of the chalet. Steve and his team were excellent at every stage of the process including changes to architects plans, full interior design service and project management. We couldn’t be more happy with the finished chalet. Their project management system was excellent allowing us to view regular updates with photos. The team were also very flexible to allow us to change elements of the build during the project. M.Miller, Chalet Menuiers
9. Can you show me client testimonials?
❗Check testimonials and reviews, ask around to check reputation, check online presence and that they are established.
✅ We have copied in recent reviews to this document. We now have several clients who have come back to us for their second project.
TESTIMONIAL
I will be using them for my next build / renovation project. Communication was excellent, you can always get someone on the phone or an email answered promptly. Very consultative and you are treated like a client with an opinion. Ie even if you have no idea about the building process, if you had an idea about what you wanted, it was listened to, discussed and then options to make the idea a reality
were then suggested.
M.Dredge, Chalet VDM
10. What will the ongoing costs of running the chalet be, and do your chalets gain AA ratings?
❗If your potential project manager is suggesting trickle vent windows, a structure less well-insulated than using SIPs and double glazing, be aware – any small amount you will save during construction will result in higher household bills and a less than completely comfortable living environment.
✅ We use specialist knowledge to incorporate eco-friendly systems to gain AA ratings for energy and emissions for our chalets. This results in significantly lower household bills into the future, as well as significantly lower impact on the planet. Our highly insulated structure with well-controlled ventilation leaves our chalets feeling fresh and a consistent temperature resulting in a healthy living environment.
TESTIMONIAL
We moved in about 11 months after the first digger arrived on site. What’s really struck us in the year since we closed the front door behind us is that the house works incredibly well. We’ve just been through a Morzine Winter where temperatures frequently dropped below -10c but we’ve never been cold and it was only for reasons of cosiness that we ever lit the wood burning stove and we never actually needed to. There are no draughts at all and the house keeps us warm in Winter and cooler in Summer (there’s a 50c+ temperature range here in the Alps). Having experienced it, I would now find it really tough to live in anything but a SIP house. The ECSUS service continues after you move in too – they make sure any snags are promptly addressed promptly and with no fuss. So that’s our housebuilding journey. We’d absolutely recommend doing your own Grand Design and building a SIP house and with the added value and experience that ECSUS bring to the project. The progress from dream to reality has been quicker and easier than we could ever have imagined.
M.Kellett, Chalet 25
TESTIMONIAL
Back in summer 2016 your company built a chalet for us at Les Lanches, Verchaix en haute. I just wanted to tell you that It sold for a very good price earlier this month and I was happy and confident handing it over to the new family who are delighted to own such a lovely mountain home. The chalet has been a very good place for me since 2017 when I moved in after its completion. It lived up to all expectations and more, providing a warm and safe home in the sometimes hostile environment of life at 1150m. It is now time to move on. I will remember my mountain life with great fondness, and I’d like to thank you and your company for the part you played.
Ms.Ashdown, Chalet Verchaix
Merci pour cet article extrêmement complet ! Il est rare de trouver un guide qui aborde avec autant de franchise la réalité des coûts et des délais en Haute-Savoie. Le comparatif sur le budget au m² est particulièrement révélateur : cela prouve qu’un honoraire plus bas cache souvent une base de calcul surévaluée.
Enfin, la transparence via des outils comme Monday.com est un vrai gage de sérénité pour les propriétaires qui gèrent leur projet à distance. Merci pour ce partage d’expertise qui aide vraiment à poser les bonnes questions avant de se lancer dans une telle aventure !