ᐅ Questions about cost estimation per cubic meter of finished living space in the Hanau region
Created on: 26 Mar 2018 19:16
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Peter LHello everyone,
If everything goes well, we plan to build a house this year with about 200 square meters (2,150 square feet) of living space without a basement, including a utility room. So far, we have always calculated with 2,000 € per square meter (approximately per 10.8 square feet), but architects usually calculate based on volume. Unfortunately, we don’t have specific figures for our region yet. Therefore, the first question:
1. Does anyone know what the cost per cubic meter (€ per m³) might be around the Hanau (FFM) area?
Now to the main topic. Is the total cost fixed, or does it also depend on the size of the house? Of course, if I take my parents' house as an example, the number of rooms, bathrooms, windows, etc., increased with the size of the house. In that case, a fixed price per square meter makes sense.
We are currently planning with 2,000 € per square meter and therefore roughly 200 m² (2,150 sq ft) of living space. However, I would actually prefer, for example, 230 m² (2,475 sq ft) of living space. The number of rooms wouldn’t change, though. Clearly, the roof, the foundation slab, underfloor heating, insulation, etc., would be larger, but that doesn’t mean 2,000 € per added square meter. I would like to make the living room, study, and storage room a bit bigger accordingly, and also slightly enlarge the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs.
Now we are considering possibly lowering the standard a little (laminate instead of parquet flooring, etc.) to gain some additional space. This only makes sense if the extra 30 m² (320 sq ft) doesn’t cost 60,000 € more.
Cheers,
Peter
If everything goes well, we plan to build a house this year with about 200 square meters (2,150 square feet) of living space without a basement, including a utility room. So far, we have always calculated with 2,000 € per square meter (approximately per 10.8 square feet), but architects usually calculate based on volume. Unfortunately, we don’t have specific figures for our region yet. Therefore, the first question:
1. Does anyone know what the cost per cubic meter (€ per m³) might be around the Hanau (FFM) area?
Now to the main topic. Is the total cost fixed, or does it also depend on the size of the house? Of course, if I take my parents' house as an example, the number of rooms, bathrooms, windows, etc., increased with the size of the house. In that case, a fixed price per square meter makes sense.
We are currently planning with 2,000 € per square meter and therefore roughly 200 m² (2,150 sq ft) of living space. However, I would actually prefer, for example, 230 m² (2,475 sq ft) of living space. The number of rooms wouldn’t change, though. Clearly, the roof, the foundation slab, underfloor heating, insulation, etc., would be larger, but that doesn’t mean 2,000 € per added square meter. I would like to make the living room, study, and storage room a bit bigger accordingly, and also slightly enlarge the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs.
Now we are considering possibly lowering the standard a little (laminate instead of parquet flooring, etc.) to gain some additional space. This only makes sense if the extra 30 m² (320 sq ft) doesn’t cost 60,000 € more.
Cheers,
Peter
Costs based on area or volume serve as an initial, rough price estimate. It is pointless to argue about the basis of such calculations.
Even if the desired 30sqm (320 sq ft) area cost 1,000€ more per sqm (instead of 2,000€), this still results in an additional 30,000€. Such extra costs are difficult to offset with laminate flooring instead of parquet or similar cosmetic changes. This is more in the category of "painting a double garage."
Even if the desired 30sqm (320 sq ft) area cost 1,000€ more per sqm (instead of 2,000€), this still results in an additional 30,000€. Such extra costs are difficult to offset with laminate flooring instead of parquet or similar cosmetic changes. This is more in the category of "painting a double garage."
I’m not sure if the calculations make complete sense. This is just a first, rough estimate—with the usual margin of error. More volume means more excavation, a larger foundation slab, masonry work, floor covering, screed, underfloor heating, plaster, insulation, facade, roofing, plumbing, electrical work, potentially larger window areas, and so on… AND labor time! Every little bit adds up. If you want to use this value for your 200 m² (2,153 ft²) project and it fits, why wouldn’t it still be a valid estimate for 230 m² (2,475 ft²)? Just because the numbers don’t align with the budget anymore?
By the way, I’d plan with a bit more than €2000, preferring to have some extra room and flexibility toward the end rather than underestimating costs. That said, there is also the opinion that you can easily build for €1800 or even less, but with my tastes and standards, that wouldn’t be possible. For example, laminate flooring wouldn’t be an option for me—requirements really do vary that much.
By the way, I’d plan with a bit more than €2000, preferring to have some extra room and flexibility toward the end rather than underestimating costs. That said, there is also the opinion that you can easily build for €1800 or even less, but with my tastes and standards, that wouldn’t be possible. For example, laminate flooring wouldn’t be an option for me—requirements really do vary that much.
Hello Peter,
I am also building in Hesse (30 km (18.6 miles) from Frankfurt) and working with an architect.
Costs cannot really be fixed when working with an architect. First, you get a rough cost estimate from the architect, then after detailed planning, the cost estimate according to DIN 276. We have already received the first quotes for shell and foundation work and are already deviating from the cost estimate. This is not a big deal, you lose in some areas and gain in others; what really counts is the final bill.
I can tell you that prices have risen by another 3-4% compared to last year, and this is already noticeable in the shell construction.
Edit: 2000 Euro/sqm (approx. 186 USD/sqft) is the minimum; realistically, expect 2300-2500 Euro/sqm (approximately 214-232 USD/sqft) for a standard finish (without any self-performed work). If you make the house larger, naturally it will cost more accordingly.
I am also building in Hesse (30 km (18.6 miles) from Frankfurt) and working with an architect.
Costs cannot really be fixed when working with an architect. First, you get a rough cost estimate from the architect, then after detailed planning, the cost estimate according to DIN 276. We have already received the first quotes for shell and foundation work and are already deviating from the cost estimate. This is not a big deal, you lose in some areas and gain in others; what really counts is the final bill.
I can tell you that prices have risen by another 3-4% compared to last year, and this is already noticeable in the shell construction.
Edit: 2000 Euro/sqm (approx. 186 USD/sqft) is the minimum; realistically, expect 2300-2500 Euro/sqm (approximately 214-232 USD/sqft) for a standard finish (without any self-performed work). If you make the house larger, naturally it will cost more accordingly.
Peter L. schrieb:
1. Does anyone know the cost per cubic meter in the Hanau (Frankfurt) area?
We are also from nearby and paid just under 2000 euros per square meter, but that was excluding painting and flooring – only the pure house construction costs. I don’t think it’s possible to build significantly cheaper in this region.
Best regards,
Sabine
Curly schrieb:
We are also from the area and paid just under 2000 euros per m² (approximately 185 square feet), but this was without painting work and floor coverings, only the basic house costs. I don’t think it’s really possible to build significantly cheaper in this region.
Best regards,
SabineSabine, did you also build with an architect using individual contracts?
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