Since I plan to build next year or at the latest the year after, I am now starting to look more closely into the topic of house construction and hope to get some suggestions or answers to my questions.
The plot (2400 sqm (about 26,000 sq ft)) is already available, approximately 40 km (25 miles) south of Hamburg. I am not allowed to build a two-story house; otherwise, everything is allowed.
Basically, I want two things: unusual architecture and a very spacious, open design.
- Point 1 is very important to me. I want to stand in front of my house and be impressed by it every day. It should definitely not be a standard design. I have many pictures of houses from magazines and the internet that I like, but I never know what such houses cost or how large they need to be at minimum to realize them. I do not yet know exactly what I want.
- Point 2: I expect a lot of criticism or comments that it is too large, but I am planning about 400-500 sqm (4300-5400 sq ft) of living space. I currently live alone in 190 sqm (2045 sq ft) and do not consider that too large.
Rough idea:
Ground floor: 100 sqm (1075 sq ft) living room as the heart of the house, with ceiling height over two floors. Kitchen 40 sqm (430 sq ft), dining room 30 sqm (320 sq ft), bathroom 15 sqm (160 sq ft), guest room 20 sqm (215 sq ft), utility room 30 sqm (320 sq ft), office 25 sqm (270 sq ft).
First floor: Bedroom 35 sqm (375 sq ft), bathroom 30 sqm (320 sq ft), walk-in closet 30 sqm (320 sq ft), small office 15 sqm (160 sq ft) (all en suite).
Three children’s rooms each 30 sqm (320 sq ft), full bathroom 20 sqm (215 sq ft).
Currently, the area distribution between the ground and first floor does not quite fit yet, but these are just my initial ideas without having spoken to an architect.
Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to find information online about projects of this size—prices, floor plans, pictures, etc.
What is the best way to proceed now? I have two architects nearby who have built quite unusual reference projects that I like and plan to schedule appointments with them soon. Does anyone have recommendations for architects in Hamburg and the surrounding area who could realize such a project? An architect who typically works with more traditional single-family houses is probably not the right contact. Where can I find an architect suitable for my building project?
All trades will be contracted separately. Would the architect also handle the tendering, negotiation, and acceptance, or should I hire a second person for this?
How much time should I plan for the entire project? Three to six months for planning and then another six months for construction, or is that too long or too short?
And now perhaps the most difficult question: What kind of budget should I expect? The house fully move-in ready—meaning kitchen, flooring, painting, lighting for all rooms, incidental construction costs, but excluding garage, furniture, and landscaping, which will be extra. Of course, this question is very general. You can spend $5,000 on a kitchen or $200,000. It should be very high-end quality but no golden faucets needed. Can I expect to manage with around one million euros?
I appreciate any suggestions or experiences; feel free to contact me via PM as well.
The plot (2400 sqm (about 26,000 sq ft)) is already available, approximately 40 km (25 miles) south of Hamburg. I am not allowed to build a two-story house; otherwise, everything is allowed.
Basically, I want two things: unusual architecture and a very spacious, open design.
- Point 1 is very important to me. I want to stand in front of my house and be impressed by it every day. It should definitely not be a standard design. I have many pictures of houses from magazines and the internet that I like, but I never know what such houses cost or how large they need to be at minimum to realize them. I do not yet know exactly what I want.
- Point 2: I expect a lot of criticism or comments that it is too large, but I am planning about 400-500 sqm (4300-5400 sq ft) of living space. I currently live alone in 190 sqm (2045 sq ft) and do not consider that too large.
Rough idea:
Ground floor: 100 sqm (1075 sq ft) living room as the heart of the house, with ceiling height over two floors. Kitchen 40 sqm (430 sq ft), dining room 30 sqm (320 sq ft), bathroom 15 sqm (160 sq ft), guest room 20 sqm (215 sq ft), utility room 30 sqm (320 sq ft), office 25 sqm (270 sq ft).
First floor: Bedroom 35 sqm (375 sq ft), bathroom 30 sqm (320 sq ft), walk-in closet 30 sqm (320 sq ft), small office 15 sqm (160 sq ft) (all en suite).
Three children’s rooms each 30 sqm (320 sq ft), full bathroom 20 sqm (215 sq ft).
Currently, the area distribution between the ground and first floor does not quite fit yet, but these are just my initial ideas without having spoken to an architect.
Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to find information online about projects of this size—prices, floor plans, pictures, etc.
What is the best way to proceed now? I have two architects nearby who have built quite unusual reference projects that I like and plan to schedule appointments with them soon. Does anyone have recommendations for architects in Hamburg and the surrounding area who could realize such a project? An architect who typically works with more traditional single-family houses is probably not the right contact. Where can I find an architect suitable for my building project?
All trades will be contracted separately. Would the architect also handle the tendering, negotiation, and acceptance, or should I hire a second person for this?
How much time should I plan for the entire project? Three to six months for planning and then another six months for construction, or is that too long or too short?
And now perhaps the most difficult question: What kind of budget should I expect? The house fully move-in ready—meaning kitchen, flooring, painting, lighting for all rooms, incidental construction costs, but excluding garage, furniture, and landscaping, which will be extra. Of course, this question is very general. You can spend $5,000 on a kitchen or $200,000. It should be very high-end quality but no golden faucets needed. Can I expect to manage with around one million euros?
I appreciate any suggestions or experiences; feel free to contact me via PM as well.
To be honest, I find your question hard to relate to—partly somewhat unrealistic, and at times I suspect you might be trolling to stir up the forum. However, I don’t want to accuse you of anything.
I wonder if costs and money are of no concern to you at all, or if you simply have unrealistic expectations. For 99% of future homeowners, money is the most important factor. That’s why people usually calculate their loan capacity first to know how much budget they have available for building a house.
After that comes the development plan (also known as a building permit or planning permission), which of course exists in Lower Saxony as well. For example, a floor space index of 0.1 (which wouldn’t be unusual for 2400sqm (approximately 0.6 acres) of land out in the countryside) could already be a hurdle for your planned property.
When I read about 100sqm (approximately 1076 sq ft) living room over two floors, I think more of the atmosphere of a workshop hall than a cozy space. Another example: a 30sqm (approximately 323 sq ft) bathroom is no longer generously sized, but simply impractical, since nobody wants to waste a thousand steps in the bathroom and dressing room first thing in the morning. Rooms need to be connected in a practical way because no one is reimbursed for walking kilometers.
Due to my profession, I have been in several representative villas and houses—none of them had a 100sqm (approximately 1076 sq ft) living room, but they did have two separate living areas, such as a cozy living room plus a music room, a library, or a separate fireplace or TV room. Well, everyone has to decide for themselves.
You can find architects through the architects’ chamber. They will be happy and probably keep themselves busy for a year with your project.
I would plan for one year of design and about 18 months of construction time.
I wonder if costs and money are of no concern to you at all, or if you simply have unrealistic expectations. For 99% of future homeowners, money is the most important factor. That’s why people usually calculate their loan capacity first to know how much budget they have available for building a house.
After that comes the development plan (also known as a building permit or planning permission), which of course exists in Lower Saxony as well. For example, a floor space index of 0.1 (which wouldn’t be unusual for 2400sqm (approximately 0.6 acres) of land out in the countryside) could already be a hurdle for your planned property.
When I read about 100sqm (approximately 1076 sq ft) living room over two floors, I think more of the atmosphere of a workshop hall than a cozy space. Another example: a 30sqm (approximately 323 sq ft) bathroom is no longer generously sized, but simply impractical, since nobody wants to waste a thousand steps in the bathroom and dressing room first thing in the morning. Rooms need to be connected in a practical way because no one is reimbursed for walking kilometers.
Due to my profession, I have been in several representative villas and houses—none of them had a 100sqm (approximately 1076 sq ft) living room, but they did have two separate living areas, such as a cozy living room plus a music room, a library, or a separate fireplace or TV room. Well, everyone has to decide for themselves.
You can find architects through the architects’ chamber. They will be happy and probably keep themselves busy for a year with your project.
I would plan for one year of design and about 18 months of construction time.
H
HilfeHilfe19 Apr 2016 07:58Yvonne, don’t you want to get involved with such a beautiful property?
S
Steffen8019 Apr 2016 09:37@timbolo please post proof of funds, then we can consider it.
Steffen80 schrieb:
@timbolo please post proof of assets, then we can start considering it Be careful not to be labeled as a Thuringian troll.
S
Steffen8019 Apr 2016 10:41Musketier schrieb:
Make sure you don’t get labeled as a Thuringian troll.I’m completely relaxed about that... I would even post my tax assessment if necessary.
F
fach1werk19 Apr 2016 11:55Based on my experience, here is what I can share:
What is important—and becomes even more challenging the more involved you are—is the search within yourself: What do I really want? What are my needs when I dig deeper? When it comes to wall painting, this is the most crucial part and cannot be developed carefully enough. No one can do this for you; at best, you can find someone to accompany you through this process. It can feel unusual and even unsettling. Suddenly, you are supposed to share something very personal with a stranger and let them look inside. Those who engage in this process receive a home that is truly “theirs”—from top to bottom, something unique and highly personalized. No one else has this, and it wouldn’t suit anyone else.
If, however, you decide to just accept whatever is proposed to you—or not—two things regularly happen:
- The person delivering the proposal has to develop many options before one fits reasonably well, and for large projects, this is work that usually cannot be billed.
- The hurried client adopts someone else’s vision and sooner or later, their “gut” notices. Often only later. They might simply feel more comfortable if things were different. Those who go this route end up with the architect’s house, with a few personal touches. Also nice.
The development of an idea benefits from spending as long as possible in what I would call purposeless play—just “fooling around.” Delaying final decisions leads to better results than setting boundaries from the start. An extraordinary result requires extraordinary thinking—your own thinking—even if you obviously can buy something; not everyone needs to reinvent the wheel. It doesn’t matter if the project is large or manageable. That’s why I find the question “troll or not” irrelevant.
Lighting design does good even for the smallest cabin. And good lighting doesn’t cost more than bad lighting. A very worthwhile area.
fach1werk
What is important—and becomes even more challenging the more involved you are—is the search within yourself: What do I really want? What are my needs when I dig deeper? When it comes to wall painting, this is the most crucial part and cannot be developed carefully enough. No one can do this for you; at best, you can find someone to accompany you through this process. It can feel unusual and even unsettling. Suddenly, you are supposed to share something very personal with a stranger and let them look inside. Those who engage in this process receive a home that is truly “theirs”—from top to bottom, something unique and highly personalized. No one else has this, and it wouldn’t suit anyone else.
If, however, you decide to just accept whatever is proposed to you—or not—two things regularly happen:
- The person delivering the proposal has to develop many options before one fits reasonably well, and for large projects, this is work that usually cannot be billed.
- The hurried client adopts someone else’s vision and sooner or later, their “gut” notices. Often only later. They might simply feel more comfortable if things were different. Those who go this route end up with the architect’s house, with a few personal touches. Also nice.
The development of an idea benefits from spending as long as possible in what I would call purposeless play—just “fooling around.” Delaying final decisions leads to better results than setting boundaries from the start. An extraordinary result requires extraordinary thinking—your own thinking—even if you obviously can buy something; not everyone needs to reinvent the wheel. It doesn’t matter if the project is large or manageable. That’s why I find the question “troll or not” irrelevant.
Lighting design does good even for the smallest cabin. And good lighting doesn’t cost more than bad lighting. A very worthwhile area.
fach1werk