Hello dear members,
First, I would like to introduce myself.
My name is Christopher, I am a little over 28 years old, and I work as a technical draftsman.
I have extensive experience in industrial assembly and large projects both domestically and abroad. Besides that, I am also engaged in artistic work, and this is my first step toward building a house.
The dream of owning a home has existed for several years, although I have to say that I am a lifelong single and intend to remain so by choice.
However, I do have a young son.
In my area, rent costs are outrageous. For example, for about 70sqm (750 sq ft), I pay nearly €900 (almost $970) all-inclusive rent.
I gave up my assembly work abroad about two years ago and now hold a well-paying job as a technical draftsman in the metal industry.
As I mentioned, I am artistically inclined and have always been a do-it-yourselfer and planner as much as possible.
A typical single-family house is definitely out of the question for me as a lifelong single, as it is simply too expensive. Instead, the idea came up to basically build a “flat” on my own land—a bungalow.
But the whole thing should not become a huge undertaking, so (please don’t judge me) I want it to be a low-budget project. I will forgo all the extras that nowadays seem standard. I am also forgoing a basement. The only thing I could imagine is underfloor heating.
The bungalow’s floor plan is planned to be L-shaped.
The reason for trying to build the bungalow on a relatively small budget is that I cannot accept the fixed package prices from various builders. Even if I can afford it, I don’t want to pay more than necessary. In most forums, you get strange looks when you talk about saving costs. I simply don’t want to help finance someone else’s new luxury car.
Now, to the idea:
To reduce costs, I have the following plan for building the L-shaped bungalow:
About 100sqm (1075 sq ft) of living space.
From a company or with their support, I want only the foundation slab, the external-external walls (meaning the outer L-shaped side, is that understandable?), and the flat roof to be installed. No masonry interior walls, and the interior L-side should be made entirely of glass elements. Can you imagine what I mean?
To support the ceiling, I could accept an unsightly support post at the bend.
All utility lines should be available only at central locations, so expensive installations running across the house would be avoided (kitchen and bathroom right next to each other).
I want no interior walls because, first, I prefer open spaces due to my artistic approach, and second, I only want the bathroom, one bedroom, and possibly a small storage closet as separate rooms—which I would then build myself using drywall as needed.
So basically, an L-shaped loft on private land.
Heating will be with wood—a wood stove or open fireplace. My parents have been heating only this way for a long time and are very satisfied.
For any installations, I have people within my close circle.
There are also enough masons and plasterers available.
Is it possible to realize this with prefabricated walls, or would you recommend masonry?
What have I forgotten?
What else should be considered?
What costs should I expect?
We will temporarily leave out local building regulations.
I believe I can realize the project with a budget of about 100,000 to 150,000 (without land).
What costs would you estimate for a 100sqm foundation slab? (I have very good contacts with the son of a large concrete company, so I could get concrete relatively cheaply.)
Would you try to get the floor-to-ceiling windows cheaper abroad? After all, it is quite a few meters.
What I would like to know in general is whether such a simple bungalow is doable within this budget—with self-labor assumed—or if I am setting myself up for failure?
As a single person, I don't want or can’t take on debts of $300,000 because I want to continue living, so no single-family house. It should be simple, low-maintenance, and, if possible, affordable at roughly the current rent level. An apartment does not come into question because I absolutely hate them!
I also don’t want to start visiting construction companies yet because I am still quite young, so I would probably be an easy target for being taken advantage of. My current halfway knowledge about house building is not enough for those negotiations.
Where did you get your information about real costs, what is really necessary, and so on?
I am attaching an image from Google to roughly illustrate what I have in mind (unfortunately not an L-shaped bungalow but should give an idea) — basically just a foundation slab, two exterior walls, a ceiling, and the rest glass.
The glass in the picture is too expensive, I know.
Best regards
The Greenhorn Gustl
First, I would like to introduce myself.
My name is Christopher, I am a little over 28 years old, and I work as a technical draftsman.
I have extensive experience in industrial assembly and large projects both domestically and abroad. Besides that, I am also engaged in artistic work, and this is my first step toward building a house.
The dream of owning a home has existed for several years, although I have to say that I am a lifelong single and intend to remain so by choice.
However, I do have a young son.
In my area, rent costs are outrageous. For example, for about 70sqm (750 sq ft), I pay nearly €900 (almost $970) all-inclusive rent.
I gave up my assembly work abroad about two years ago and now hold a well-paying job as a technical draftsman in the metal industry.
As I mentioned, I am artistically inclined and have always been a do-it-yourselfer and planner as much as possible.
A typical single-family house is definitely out of the question for me as a lifelong single, as it is simply too expensive. Instead, the idea came up to basically build a “flat” on my own land—a bungalow.
But the whole thing should not become a huge undertaking, so (please don’t judge me) I want it to be a low-budget project. I will forgo all the extras that nowadays seem standard. I am also forgoing a basement. The only thing I could imagine is underfloor heating.
The bungalow’s floor plan is planned to be L-shaped.
The reason for trying to build the bungalow on a relatively small budget is that I cannot accept the fixed package prices from various builders. Even if I can afford it, I don’t want to pay more than necessary. In most forums, you get strange looks when you talk about saving costs. I simply don’t want to help finance someone else’s new luxury car.
Now, to the idea:
To reduce costs, I have the following plan for building the L-shaped bungalow:
About 100sqm (1075 sq ft) of living space.
From a company or with their support, I want only the foundation slab, the external-external walls (meaning the outer L-shaped side, is that understandable?), and the flat roof to be installed. No masonry interior walls, and the interior L-side should be made entirely of glass elements. Can you imagine what I mean?
To support the ceiling, I could accept an unsightly support post at the bend.
All utility lines should be available only at central locations, so expensive installations running across the house would be avoided (kitchen and bathroom right next to each other).
I want no interior walls because, first, I prefer open spaces due to my artistic approach, and second, I only want the bathroom, one bedroom, and possibly a small storage closet as separate rooms—which I would then build myself using drywall as needed.
So basically, an L-shaped loft on private land.
Heating will be with wood—a wood stove or open fireplace. My parents have been heating only this way for a long time and are very satisfied.
For any installations, I have people within my close circle.
There are also enough masons and plasterers available.
Is it possible to realize this with prefabricated walls, or would you recommend masonry?
What have I forgotten?
What else should be considered?
What costs should I expect?
We will temporarily leave out local building regulations.
I believe I can realize the project with a budget of about 100,000 to 150,000 (without land).
What costs would you estimate for a 100sqm foundation slab? (I have very good contacts with the son of a large concrete company, so I could get concrete relatively cheaply.)
Would you try to get the floor-to-ceiling windows cheaper abroad? After all, it is quite a few meters.
What I would like to know in general is whether such a simple bungalow is doable within this budget—with self-labor assumed—or if I am setting myself up for failure?
As a single person, I don't want or can’t take on debts of $300,000 because I want to continue living, so no single-family house. It should be simple, low-maintenance, and, if possible, affordable at roughly the current rent level. An apartment does not come into question because I absolutely hate them!
I also don’t want to start visiting construction companies yet because I am still quite young, so I would probably be an easy target for being taken advantage of. My current halfway knowledge about house building is not enough for those negotiations.
Where did you get your information about real costs, what is really necessary, and so on?
I am attaching an image from Google to roughly illustrate what I have in mind (unfortunately not an L-shaped bungalow but should give an idea) — basically just a foundation slab, two exterior walls, a ceiling, and the rest glass.
The glass in the picture is too expensive, I know.
Best regards
The Greenhorn Gustl
Nordlys schrieb:
An L-shaped design is too expensive. Rectangular is better. A flat roof is too costly; a pitched roof with a 25-degree slope is the most affordable. Large glass facades are expensive. One patio door should be enough. Wood heating using pellets is an option, but gas is the cheapest. Alternatively, an air-to-water heat pump is only slightly more expensive.
Have a look at Danwood bungalows. They know how to keep costs low. 100 square meters (1,076 square feet) for 150 (thousand) is doable. That’s just the house without additional costs or land. You should plan for around 300 (thousand). KarstenThe first useful reply, thanks!
It will probably be an L-shape due to the planned garden design! I thought a flat roof would be the cheapest, but I’m fine with a pitched roof as well. I’m also happy with the heating if it’s cheaper. The glass facade should stay though; single patio doors are too little for me (open living).
Thanks for your answer, I’ll take a closer look. The plot is basically secured.
Best regards
S
Steffen8016 Aug 2017 23:07This will definitely be a 10-page-long thread. And even if everyone flips out over it... in the end, the hard facts remain: Your wishes combined with your budget are and will remain unrealistic. With that said: Good night
@Steffen80 As you say.. at least I know firsthand that my neighbor constructed his bungalow including a basement with garage door, beautiful staircase, kitchen, bathroom, and terrace, plus a pitched roof, but without exterior plaster, for 150.
He did about 90% of the work himself since the whole family works in construction.. The plot of land was already owned, just like mine.. so much for what’s possible^^
Good night!
He did about 90% of the work himself since the whole family works in construction.. The plot of land was already owned, just like mine.. so much for what’s possible^^
Good night!
Why are you picking on the new user again? It’s always the same thing. Recently, someone shared their renovation experience with a low budget, and everyone was surprised.
It is definitely possible to do much more for less money than you think.
Do you really believe that the contractor is paid only based on their hourly wage? It’s more of a mixed calculation involving overpriced building materials.
It is definitely possible to do much more for less money than you think.
Do you really believe that the contractor is paid only based on their hourly wage? It’s more of a mixed calculation involving overpriced building materials.
nelly190 schrieb:
Why are you putting down the new user again? It’s always the same. Recently, someone shared their renovation experience on a tight budget, and everyone was surprised.
You can do a lot more for less money than you think.
Do you really believe that the tradesperson is only paid based on their hourly wage? It’s more of a mixed calculation, including overpriced building materials.
...Probably because people expect that anyone making any claim, whether low or high, has at least looked into the costs involved.
When I see this photo, I know I can’t afford it.
I knew that even before building my modest single-family house.
So it’s pointless to discuss with someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about.
That said, I’ve already read about some extras in a short time that generate costs for some and need to be earned first -> L-shape layout, underfloor heating, flat roof.
... all cost more than a cheap standard.
If I have an ideology, I absorb everything that the library and—yes, also the internet—have to offer. Then I go on the offensive... with numbers, facts, and real situations or events.
Is it different for you?
This is just my interpretation of the course of this thread
@Gustl89
Have you ever heard of energy saving regulations / energy performance standards?
Gustl89 schrieb:
What I basically want to know is whether such a simple bungalow fits within the budget?! Assuming you do the work yourself, or if I should just forget about it?! The latter. Definitely.
Your dream house is heading in the direction of Glass House / Farnsworth House / Barcelona Pavilion. Beautiful, but unfortunately completely incompatible with a "low budget."
No walls are the most expensive walls, not just structurally. Besides supports, you would also need beams to carry the ceilings. Windows "instead of" walls are the opposite of economical construction. Additionally, your dream house would have astronomical heating costs – I don’t know how the regulations are in Austria, but in Germany it probably wouldn’t even meet the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV), which is relevant for the building permit.
So, you’re currently planning for 70 sqm (750 sq ft). If you want to keep that, you have to add space for the utility room and the substitute basement room, bringing it up to about 90 sqm (970 sq ft). That means nearly 110 sqm (1,185 sq ft) of foundation slab, and walls also require area – structurally, you won’t be able to fully realize minimalism. You will find some offers, but probably not for architecture enthusiasts.
nelly190 schrieb:
Why do you have to pick on the new user again? It’s always the same. Recently someone else reported their low-budget renovation and everyone was surprised. You’re probably thinking of saar2and https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/ohne-plan-zum-Eigenheim.24680/ – yes, that sounds great (and it really is an achievement if you want to replicate it).
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Similar topics