Hello everyone,
we have received a preliminary design and a quote from our builder. I would like to get your opinion on it.
It is planned as an accessible bungalow (about 131 sqm (1410 sq ft)) with 3 bedrooms and possibly a study room. Previously, instead of the study, there was a slightly larger kitchen and a somewhat bigger living room.
My opinion:
I would make the house a bit narrower on the street side, which would make the bedroom and child’s room 1 slightly smaller. Instead, the living room and kitchen would be extended, allowing the kitchen to be a bit larger (it currently feels too small to me).
On the other side, I have the option to make the carport a bit wider. I am trying to achieve an internal width of 3.5 m (11.5 ft) for the carport (because of wheelchair access).
I will also ask the builder what price difference it would make to have a concrete ceiling with insulation instead of a wooden beam ceiling, a knee wall height of maybe 30 cm (12 inches), and a roof pitch of 40 degrees, so that it would be possible to convert the attic space in the future (maybe after 25–30 years).
I would like to have a carport for two cars parked in tandem with a storage room planned, but I want to handle the construction myself or have it done elsewhere. The builder is asking €14,000 for a single carport with storage, which I think is too expensive.
We would really appreciate your suggestions.
Thank you
we have received a preliminary design and a quote from our builder. I would like to get your opinion on it.
It is planned as an accessible bungalow (about 131 sqm (1410 sq ft)) with 3 bedrooms and possibly a study room. Previously, instead of the study, there was a slightly larger kitchen and a somewhat bigger living room.
My opinion:
I would make the house a bit narrower on the street side, which would make the bedroom and child’s room 1 slightly smaller. Instead, the living room and kitchen would be extended, allowing the kitchen to be a bit larger (it currently feels too small to me).
On the other side, I have the option to make the carport a bit wider. I am trying to achieve an internal width of 3.5 m (11.5 ft) for the carport (because of wheelchair access).
I will also ask the builder what price difference it would make to have a concrete ceiling with insulation instead of a wooden beam ceiling, a knee wall height of maybe 30 cm (12 inches), and a roof pitch of 40 degrees, so that it would be possible to convert the attic space in the future (maybe after 25–30 years).
I would like to have a carport for two cars parked in tandem with a storage room planned, but I want to handle the construction myself or have it done elsewhere. The builder is asking €14,000 for a single carport with storage, which I think is too expensive.
We would really appreciate your suggestions.
Thank you
I can completely understand. Mine is just under 3 years old, and I know the challenges you’re facing. However, you don’t only have one child. You also have yourselves and plan to have more children. This means you need to consider everyone’s needs. You won’t be able to afford a fully accessible bungalow without everyone making compromises. This means you’ll likely sleep downstairs with the older child so you can attend to him quickly. The younger children will sleep upstairs and will have to manage without your immediate presence, while the older child stays downstairs. You will need to arrange your life so that everyone enjoys spending time downstairs and is often around him.
Never forget that for the siblings, it can also be nice to have their own “normal” space upstairs. Since your son with severe disabilities will always require a lot of your attention, the upstairs area can belong to the others. This way, you can create exclusive zones, including some just for yourselves.
If you are set on a bungalow, good luck with that. But make sure it is truly accessible. Get advice from a qualified specialist. You might also be able to draw on experiences from support groups. Always keep in mind during your planning that the wheelchair will grow larger and your son will get heavier. I wish you all the best in finding the right home.
Wishing you and your son all the best.
Never forget that for the siblings, it can also be nice to have their own “normal” space upstairs. Since your son with severe disabilities will always require a lot of your attention, the upstairs area can belong to the others. This way, you can create exclusive zones, including some just for yourselves.
If you are set on a bungalow, good luck with that. But make sure it is truly accessible. Get advice from a qualified specialist. You might also be able to draw on experiences from support groups. Always keep in mind during your planning that the wheelchair will grow larger and your son will get heavier. I wish you all the best in finding the right home.
Wishing you and your son all the best.
zizzi schrieb:
Who mentioned a flat roof?! No one. For example, a 25° pitch isn’t a "flat roof" either, but it fits much better with a bungalow design.
zizzi schrieb:
The catalog says 30 degrees. The builder said 35 degrees, and price-wise it doesn’t make much difference. I’m still waiting for an offer.
On one hand the aesthetics, on the other hand the practicality. Practicality for what? You said you had given up on the idea of converting the roof space. Then there’s no need to increase the roof pitch.
Are you finding it difficult to accept a house that looks single-story and therefore want at least some visual height? But that comes at a cost—especially unnecessary compromises elsewhere.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
@zizzi
Evolith also has a child with a disability, in case you missed that.
I think it’s great that you are doing everything to make your child feel comfortable.
But it is also a purpose of life to include a family member with a disability within the family. This doesn’t mean that everything in the family has to be adapted specifically for the disability. Rather, everything should take place on an equal footing.
That is certainly challenging, but if you plan to have more children, they also have the right to grow up without excessive constraints. Unconditional accommodation is not always the right choice, even if you can’t imagine it any other way right now.
So focus more on integration than on fixation.
Evolith also has a child with a disability, in case you missed that.
I think it’s great that you are doing everything to make your child feel comfortable.
But it is also a purpose of life to include a family member with a disability within the family. This doesn’t mean that everything in the family has to be adapted specifically for the disability. Rather, everything should take place on an equal footing.
That is certainly challenging, but if you plan to have more children, they also have the right to grow up without excessive constraints. Unconditional accommodation is not always the right choice, even if you can’t imagine it any other way right now.
So focus more on integration than on fixation.
ypg schrieb:
@zizzi
Evolith also has a child with a disability, in case you missed that.You’re confusing me here. Luckily, mine is very lively and perfectly healthy.
But I have had several experiences with disabilities and devoted families.
My uncle was both mentally and physically disabled. His parents did everything solely for him and completely shaped their lives around him. Over time, they became increasingly unhappy—I even noticed that as a child.
When my grandfather was bedridden with cancer in his final weeks, he had to be pushed around the house and into the garden in one of those heavy-duty wheelchairs. My grandparents had a bungalow with quite long hallways. So I can tell you from experience how difficult it is if you don’t have a large, round hallway with rooms branching out like spokes. Whenever someone came towards us with luggage, one of us had to back up. Standard doors were also a problem. Sliding doors are ten times more convenient. We never managed to get my grandfather into the bathroom anyway, there was simply no chance with that bulky equipment.
Ladies: He wants a bungalow. Period. That’s settled.
11ant: He wants to be able to expand later. So, a 35-degree roof pitch. Period. That’s also settled.
So now it’s just about the room layout.
I don’t think the general contractor’s design is that bad.
Where the wardrobe meets the stairs, the guest WC could be a bit narrower, the bedroom a bit wider, and that’s it.
11ant: He wants to be able to expand later. So, a 35-degree roof pitch. Period. That’s also settled.
So now it’s just about the room layout.
I don’t think the general contractor’s design is that bad.
Where the wardrobe meets the stairs, the guest WC could be a bit narrower, the bedroom a bit wider, and that’s it.
Nordlys schrieb:
Ladies: He wants a bungalow. Period. That’s settled.
11ant: He wants the option to expand later. So, a 35-degree roof pitch. Period. That’s also settled.
So now it’s just about the room layout.
I don’t think the general contractor’s design is that bad.
Where the wardrobe is, put the stairs; the guest toilet could be a bit narrower; the bedroom a bit wider, and done.Well, the bungalow preference didn’t sound so final at the beginning. And no, the bungalow needs more optimization towards accessibility. The main bathroom will be too small for a wheelchair in about 10 years (assuming he will need a reclined version, which I am currently expecting). The hallway, especially in the middle, should be carefully checked to ensure a large wheelchair can turn around. You should consider sliding doors for the children’s room, bathroom, and living room. Also towards the terrace. Likewise, consider a garden exit from the children’s room.
In other words, if you really want to design the house to make life easier for them, considerable planning work is still necessary.
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