ᐅ Dream Plot, but TAFF House – First Mistake Already Made

Created on: 16 May 2017 08:52
P
PowerBauer
Good morning dear colleagues,

I am in the fortunate situation of having found our personal dream plot for our first own house. However, I only decided to start building four weeks ago and began searching two weeks ago – and now I need to act quickly, or the plot will be gone! I’m a bit overwhelmed because everything is moving so fast; I’ve already made one mistake and would therefore be extremely grateful for professional help and experience.

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1. Question about the builder:
We would like to build with TAFF-Haus, or rather have to, because the broker involved was until two weeks ago still part of the management team and since February has been an independent broker (during the viewing we were told he only works for the owner… which was true at that time but already feels a bit questionable). Now, there is no information or reviews about TAFF-Haus or the other companies in the parent group "Uwe Köhn Unternehmensgruppe," such as ALLEGRO-Haus (only two negative reports about ALLEGRO here in the forum). This is perhaps not surprising, considering the following from the commercial register regarding the entire company structure:
  • VSC Vertriebs Service Consult GmbH has existed since January 2006.
  • Meißner Bau Management GmbH, like Allegro-Haus GmbH, was founded in December 2012.
  • TAFF-Haus GmbH has only existed for two years, since May 2015.

So, there is practically no experience in housebuilding! Or am I mistaken?
Fortunately (?), TAFF does not handle the construction itself but hires a large number of local subcontractors for the individual trades. You could almost say that they only organize. But I’m not certain about that; the walls are patented (prefabricated house/timber frame construction).

That doesn’t worry me too much yet, although I would prefer a company with many years of experience. But I probably just have to make sure that every tiny detail is documented in writing from the start – as it should be for contracts involving such sums.

-> What do you think? Can TAFF-Haus be trusted?


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2. About my mistake:
I, a naive fool, of course told the seller my budget. Quite surprisingly, our desired house now fits exactly into that budget – what a wonderful coincidence!
To partly fix this and to create a basis for negotiation, I’m considering, as mentioned above, asking for a detailed breakdown of every single item and comparing them online. It would be best to also get reference projects with addresses/contact details and compare prices with those. It can’t be too long since they built those...

-> What should I absolutely pay attention to now?
Is there a checklist or something similar in this forum? I will definitely read the section "Buyer assistance before signing the contract" here in the housebuilding guide, but maybe there is more or something that fits my situation.


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3. Alternative for the brave:
The plot is a dream, and we really want to have it. I have managed to find the owner and am seriously considering making him an offer. In the worst case, I’d pay the “hidden” broker’s commission but would then own the plot and no longer be tied to TAFF. We would also like to change some things about the house, which TAFF with their fixed floor plans cannot offer us.

-> Would you consider this option in my situation? Are there risks?


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Normally I’m someone who research many things extensively myself, but in this case I simply don’t have the time. I am grateful for any answer because the next meeting with TAFF is still this week, when the house is supposed to be planned. Feel free to bombard me with helpful links (as far as allowed) or similar topics, as I simply don’t have time to search and sort – mea culpa!
N
Nordlys
16 May 2017 21:19
Caspar, that’s the irony up here. I just pointed out to the original poster with a smiling tone that they will be living in a mixed-use zone, which isn’t a problem. Most commercial businesses are quite quiet nowadays.
By the way, our old single-family house was close to the port and train station. It didn’t bother us. Karsten
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PowerBauer
16 May 2017 21:47
I have already found other offers in the forum, so here is ours:

Approx. 150m2 (1,615 sq ft) timber frame house, KfW55 standard
Shell house including completed exterior facade with plaster, roof, windows, front door €150,000.00
Ventilation system with heat recovery and installation €7,600.00
Electric roller shutters €2,600.00
Additional interior finishing services (materials and labor, indicative prices)
Interior staircase finished steps including installation €2,200.00
Heating system (air-to-water heat pump by Viessmann): underfloor heating on upper floor, pipe installation package, sanitary technology and accessories 2, complete price with installation €23,000.00
Electrical installation including roller shutters €11,000.00
Interior doors (hollow-core with CPL coating, including installation) €3,300.00
Tiles (materials up to €30/m2 (3 sq ft)) including installation €10,500.00
Drywall and interior window sills with installation €28,000.00
Floor coverings (materials up to €16/m2 (1.5 sq ft)) including installation €5,000.00
Painting work €7,000.00
Special services
Surveying (rough and fine measurement plus elevation and site plan) €2,000.00
Building permit process with all necessary planning documents €3,300.00
1 year insurance (fire/shell construction/construction performance/owner’s liability/residential building) €600.00
Blower door test €500.00
Soil report €750.00
Support documentation for KfW €500.00
Construction supervisor service €3,500.00
Additional cost for KfW 40 standard €5,500.00
Additional land-related costs (example calculation for a fully serviced plot)
Construction water, power, toilet facilities €1,000.00
House connection costs water/sewage/telecom/electricity €6,000.00
Detailed planning under foundation slab (based on soil report) €6,000.00
Earthworks (depending on plot) €7,000.00
Authority fees (building permit, cadastral surveying) €1,000.00
Total costs house + additional construction costs €287,850.00
Additionally, costs for land, property transfer tax, notary, possible brokerage fees, and mortgage registration apply.

Does this seem consistent so far? Is anything missing or unclear?

Regarding the construction service description or the contract, I’m unsure whether I’m allowed to publish it but would like to get someone else’s opinion. What’s the best way to do that?
N
Nordlys
16 May 2017 22:02
They are definitely not too expensive. Does it have to be KfW 40 standard? Insurance might be a bit cheaper. Otherwise, good prices. Karsten
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PowerBauer
16 May 2017 22:18
Well, for KfW40 there is a 5,000€ repayment grant from KfW, and for an extra 500€, I’m actually happy to take that along.

Many thanks for the assessment!!
Y
ypg
16 May 2017 22:20
I’m missing some details:
How many electrical circuits, two-way switches, outlets, etc. are included?
What kind of staircase is it?
What sanitary fixtures are planned?
Tile work details... corner trims, baseboards?
And so on... These involve some additional costs.
But that’s the case everywhere.
However, in my opinion, you won’t be happy with the first plot you find that looks like a nightmare on paper.

Take your time, do your research, buy magazines, browse this forum!
Visit model homes.
Calculate your payments, considering plans for children.
There’s no need to rush—you can still find more plots in Saxony than in many other places.

Best regards, Yvonne
77.willo16 May 2017 22:38
For tiles and flooring, you can easily spend more than twice as much. The included price only covers the lowest standard available at a basic home improvement store.