Hello,
we would like to build a one-and-a-half-story single-family house with about 125 sqm (1,345 sq ft) plus additional development space in the attic. Without a basement but with a 9 m (30 ft) garage.
We have a plot of land in sight, which we hope to reserve by May. We have already had several appointments with construction companies, including TaC, a developer from Krefeld, and one from Sonsbeck. I feel increasingly uncertain. Both developers offer roughly the same concept, but their prices differ significantly. One says that a ventilation system is not necessary for a KfW 55 solid construction house, while the other says it is very important. I am completely confused. Intuitively, the developer from Sonsbeck was our favorite—until we saw the cost estimate.
It is just too expensive! With TaC, the costs are within our budget, but opinions about the company are mixed.
Does anyone have experience in the NRW area?
Best regards
we would like to build a one-and-a-half-story single-family house with about 125 sqm (1,345 sq ft) plus additional development space in the attic. Without a basement but with a 9 m (30 ft) garage.
We have a plot of land in sight, which we hope to reserve by May. We have already had several appointments with construction companies, including TaC, a developer from Krefeld, and one from Sonsbeck. I feel increasingly uncertain. Both developers offer roughly the same concept, but their prices differ significantly. One says that a ventilation system is not necessary for a KfW 55 solid construction house, while the other says it is very important. I am completely confused. Intuitively, the developer from Sonsbeck was our favorite—until we saw the cost estimate.
It is just too expensive! With TaC, the costs are within our budget, but opinions about the company are mixed.
Does anyone have experience in the NRW area?
Best regards
For us, the first building companies (around 5) started at €400,000 (excluding land and additional costs) for a simple house (about 9x10m (30x33 feet)) with a basement and brick facade, built to KfW55 energy standards.
Then the house got smaller (9x8m (30x26 feet)) and some features were removed.
We ended up at around €300,000-350,000.
I contacted 10-15 more builders within an 80km (50 miles) radius and requested quotes for the currently smaller house with the same specifications.
Some offers came back between €250,000 and €300,000.
We realized the house was actually quite small and basically just a lazy compromise.
We spoke with our favorite builders more often and also discussed individual aspects that concerned us. Eventually, we were offered "winter discounts" and/or additional services at no extra cost.
However, I still found the whole process somewhat frustrating.
We contacted another 10-15 suppliers and confronted previous offers and suppliers with alternative bids and different opinions.
In the end, we negotiated additional discounts and extra features (electric shutters, walls 0.5m (20 inches) wider on two sides). The costs excluding additional expenses are now about €300,000 but with a much better quality than originally offered.
Overall, it took almost three-quarters of a year until we agreed with one company.
The supplier is an architect who runs the building company with his son and a partner; they have many in-house craftsmen but also subcontract well-known external tradespeople.
In metropolitan areas, you can expect higher prices and less room for negotiation.
In summary, my recommendation is to contact many suppliers (especially from different regions/directions within your range) and talk to them. Compare all services meticulously and allow plenty of time.
Then the house got smaller (9x8m (30x26 feet)) and some features were removed.
We ended up at around €300,000-350,000.
I contacted 10-15 more builders within an 80km (50 miles) radius and requested quotes for the currently smaller house with the same specifications.
Some offers came back between €250,000 and €300,000.
We realized the house was actually quite small and basically just a lazy compromise.
We spoke with our favorite builders more often and also discussed individual aspects that concerned us. Eventually, we were offered "winter discounts" and/or additional services at no extra cost.
However, I still found the whole process somewhat frustrating.
We contacted another 10-15 suppliers and confronted previous offers and suppliers with alternative bids and different opinions.
In the end, we negotiated additional discounts and extra features (electric shutters, walls 0.5m (20 inches) wider on two sides). The costs excluding additional expenses are now about €300,000 but with a much better quality than originally offered.
Overall, it took almost three-quarters of a year until we agreed with one company.
The supplier is an architect who runs the building company with his son and a partner; they have many in-house craftsmen but also subcontract well-known external tradespeople.
In metropolitan areas, you can expect higher prices and less room for negotiation.
In summary, my recommendation is to contact many suppliers (especially from different regions/directions within your range) and talk to them. Compare all services meticulously and allow plenty of time.
B
bierkuh8329 Apr 2017 20:15These myths that your house will develop mold without a mechanical ventilation system are really exaggerated. It’s like a church sermon—blind faith without reason. If you’re working and not home, do you somehow bring moisture into the house? No. I was on vacation for four weeks, came back home, and guess what—the house was completely fine. A bit musty, but everything okay. And when we’re not traveling, just ventilate in the morning and evening. That’s normal anyway. Kids, don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. You can choose KfW55 standard, but it’s not mandatory. Ask for it as an optional upgrade and then run the numbers. Otherwise, good luck.
110 sqm (1184 sq ft) house, 370,000 without the land, I think. Even if I deduct some unnecessary extras for me, we would be at 330,000. That is simply outrageous. 110 sqm (1184 sq ft) of living space according to the standard costs me 163,000, so half of that. Neither bricks, cement, roof tiles, nor labor costs are half as high here in Schleswig-Holstein as they are in North Rhine-Westphalia. They may be lower, but not by half. These prices are simply greed.
bierkuh83 schrieb:
These myths about your house rotting away without mechanical ventilation are really frustrating. It’s like being in a church... blind faith without logic... If you work and are not at home, you do what? Right, you bring moisture into the house. I was on vacation for 4 weeks and came back home and, miracle of miracles, the house was completely fine. A bit musty, but everything okay. And when we’re not away, ventilating morning and evening is enough. You do that anyway... Kids, don’t let anyone talk you into anything... KfW55 standard can be done, but it’s not a must... Ask for it as an upgrade and then do the math.. Otherwise, good luck.It’s not guaranteed, but the chances are significantly higher. And if you get by with ventilating twice a day without mold, that’s fine. Have you checked behind all the furniture and inspected the corners?
If mold does appear, mechanical ventilation would have paid for itself immediately compared to a professional and permanent mold remediation.
We once visited a private house of a seller who also ventilated 2-3 times a day, always used an extractor hood and exhaust air, but still had mold problems. It’s a bit of a gamble; everyone has to decide what they want.
For me, the argument that I save 30-50 minutes of ventilating per day was completely sufficient. Also, I want to head out right after showering in the morning, not waste 15 minutes lingering around because the bathroom needs to be ventilated.
Mold prevention, energy savings, etc. were additional benefits; the decisive factor was comfort through the daily saved time spent on the house.
And of course, nowadays almost every expert recommends mechanical ventilation. Architects, engineers, energy consultants. Mechanical ventilation is usually only omitted for cost reasons far too often.
T
Traumfaenger29 Apr 2017 22:30We are now talking about mold formation in the first weeks and months after moving in due to moisture in the house. However, there are no long-term studies on microbial growth in such systems. Just try searching:
Ventilation systems can become breeding grounds for microbes;
Microbes in controlled residential ventilation;
Controlled residential ventilation – microbes in the ductwork;
and so on. No one can tell you what has developed in your ducts after 5-10 years. Clearly, the more bends and grooves there are inside, the more surface area there is for potential microbial colonization. And in a central controlled residential ventilation system, everything gets thoroughly mixed... Everyone has to decide for themselves, but I just want to offer a different perspective: Not only consider the comfort you have in the first months and years after moving in, but also how this technology will perform after 10, 20, or 30 years. Currently, cleaning is not possible... It gets especially "interesting" when the kitchen (ask kitchen studios) is connected to the controlled residential ventilation system.
Ventilation systems can become breeding grounds for microbes;
Microbes in controlled residential ventilation;
Controlled residential ventilation – microbes in the ductwork;
and so on. No one can tell you what has developed in your ducts after 5-10 years. Clearly, the more bends and grooves there are inside, the more surface area there is for potential microbial colonization. And in a central controlled residential ventilation system, everything gets thoroughly mixed... Everyone has to decide for themselves, but I just want to offer a different perspective: Not only consider the comfort you have in the first months and years after moving in, but also how this technology will perform after 10, 20, or 30 years. Currently, cleaning is not possible... It gets especially "interesting" when the kitchen (ask kitchen studios) is connected to the controlled residential ventilation system.
bierkuh83 schrieb:
These old wives' tales that your house will rot away without a mechanical ventilation system are really terrible. It’s like being in church here... Believing without reason or understanding... Be careful with beliefs in the Lower Rhine region
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