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.
P
Peanuts7421 Apr 2016 09:34Or a lottery winner.
Lottery winners do not receive such an income tax assessment.
I think I can understand Merlin’s question, as I had the same one in mind. On one hand, the original poster does not mention it being their best year, but on the other hand, they owe additional tax. That doesn’t really add up unless they previously requested a reduction in their advance tax payments.
I think I can understand Merlin’s question, as I had the same one in mind. On one hand, the original poster does not mention it being their best year, but on the other hand, they owe additional tax. That doesn’t really add up unless they previously requested a reduction in their advance tax payments.
S
Steffen8021 Apr 2016 13:17Musketier schrieb:
Lottery winners don’t receive income tax assessments like that.
I think I understand Merlin’s question—it was on my mind too. On one hand, the original poster doesn’t mention this being their best year, but on the other hand, they owe additional taxes. That doesn’t really add up unless they had previously requested to reduce their advance payments.Nonsense... they just need to have earned less in one or two years before. The years before that, however, were significantly higher.
You are an expert in this field, so you can surely understand this.
S
Steffen8021 Apr 2016 13:19Especially a ridiculous additional payment of around 20,000 EUR (about 21,600 USD). I will also have to pay that this year, and my income is only half as much...
What I’m rather wondering: Why such a high amount in taxes? His average tax burden should be just over 41%. There are several legal ways to reduce that (e.g., a savings company).
Regards, Steffen
PS: Panama is supposed to work well too
What I’m rather wondering: Why such a high amount in taxes? His average tax burden should be just over 41%. There are several legal ways to reduce that (e.g., a savings company).
Regards, Steffen
PS: Panama is supposed to work well too
P
Peanuts7421 Apr 2016 13:31It almost feels like being at a tax advisor’s office. Somehow, this whole situation reminds me of the movie "Italian Job," where one person didn’t know what to do with the money and ended up stealing the others’ ideas.