ᐅ New single-family house construction without a garage, self-performed work
Created on: 7 May 2019 14:05
S
StefMeister
Hello everyone,
I’m transitioning from a silent reader to an active participant. In the near future, probably within the next 2-3 months, my fiancée and I plan to start building a single-family home. Here are some background details about what we plan to build and some information about our finances.
About me and my fiancée:
Me:
Age: 24
Profession: Trained road construction foreman with a master craftsman certificate, currently working as a project manager in construction projects for electrical substations, building construction, and building refurbishment.
Her:
Age: 21
Profession: Tax clerk, currently studying to become a business lawyer, with plans to qualify as a tax advisor and later continue as a certified public accountant.
Finances:
Equity capital: Currently about €40,000 divided into €20,000 in mutual funds, €5,000 in ETFs, and €15,000 in bank savings
Net income: €4,700 per month
Savings per month: €2,800
Our net income is expected to increase to about €5,300 per month within the next 2-3 months due to promotions in both of our jobs. Financially, we are well-positioned since neither of us has reached the peak of our careers yet. There are no limits upwards, especially for her, as she is expected to make a significant leap once she completes her studies, likely within two years.
Building costs / financing:
Plot of land: €70,000, fully serviced (711m² (7640 sq ft), flat with a slope toward the road, see picture)
Construction costs (more details below): €300,000
Additional building-related costs: Will be paid entirely from equity
Connection costs: Approximately €8,000 (probably significantly less)
Loan amount: €400,000
Monthly payment supported by both of us: about €1,400 (based on a 25-year term as of four weeks ago, with additional repayments of 5-8% depending on the lender; I don’t remember the exact interest rate right now)
Background:
Our decision to build a house came very quickly for both of us. It might be hard to understand for many, but somehow this idea was always lingering subconsciously for both of us. I simply asked whether we should move in together since we already spend almost all day together apart from work, get along well, and never get bored or annoyed by each other. We are both very neat and tidy to the point that we sometimes keep everything too clean.
We compared the costs of renting an apartment and decided that building a house is a much better option for us. This fits our idea of home ownership much better than buying a condominium, which in our region either is poorly maintained or has way overpriced offers. This decision was not sudden and was communicated and agreed on with our families.
The house:
Once we had finally agreed to build our own house, I started ordering various catalogs and used a design program to incorporate all our ideas, which I then shared with my fiancée. We both fell in love with the design. Currently, only the staircase and the living room are being slightly reworked by the architect because our original plan was a bit too open, with a freestanding staircase and excessively large windows. After reviewing a similar house, we realized there was too much openness or visibility, which we wanted to reduce.
Our wish list includes a large, spacious kitchen with plenty of storage, an island, and a side-by-side refrigerator, since we both really enjoy cooking and spend a lot of time there. We wanted a large living room with a dining area but also a cozy retreat within the living room for relaxing, chatting, and reading – a kind of fireplace room.
We insisted on having a master bathroom on the upper floor prepared for a sauna, and our future children should each have their own bathrooms. This idea comes from our current living experience. We also want a guest bathroom with a shower on the ground floor because some relatives travel over 200 km (125 miles) to visit, and for convenience, having a toilet on the ground level is important.
Large windows facing the garden in the living room and the master bedroom on the upper floor are important as the sun shines into the garden from noon, giving beautiful natural light in both summer and winter.
Additionally, we need a home office big enough for both of us since we both work from home, and my employer actively supports telecommuting.
This was the basic concept, and once we agreed on that and our desired features, we started searching for land. We never expected to find something after two months, but by a stroke of luck, a plot became available right next to her parents’ house – perfectly suited for our home. Her father found out that the owners wanted to sell it, so we didn’t hesitate. Since I’m already well integrated into the village, moving my home base 5 km (3 miles) away was no issue.
Also, I’m a skilled craftsman and construction enthusiast. I did exactly what I love, and I really enjoy building and managing the challenges that come with it.
Now, the key details of the house:
- Approximately 180 m² (1937 sq ft) of living space
- 2 full stories
- No basement, but insulated floor slab (similar to Jakodur)
- No binding development plan
- Heating via district heating
- Underfloor heating in almost all rooms (both of us have dust allergies)
- Modern, minimalist urban villa style with simple black/gray tones without excessive decoration
- Facade with facing brick
- 3 bathrooms (one for the children, one for the parents, one guest bathroom with shower)
- Utility room for washing machine, storage, and building services with a tall corner window
- No garage
- Space and rooms prepared for two children
Still undecided:
- Whether to install a photovoltaic system for electricity generation on the roof
- Lighting with recessed spotlights in the roof overhang
As for the construction phase, the house will be built almost entirely by ourselves. The only contracted services will be the architectural work (the architect is a family friend and charges significantly less than usual) and probably the roof structure.
Why is this possible to build mainly by ourselves (which explains the cost of under €2,000 per m²)?
For earthworks, shell construction, interior finishing, heating and plumbing, and electrical work, we have master craftsmen in the family who have already promised to help and have been asked to contribute their labor. I will be building the shell with two masons, and about 20 friends have already agreed to help with the interior finishing. Additionally, we owe them a favor.
Moreover, we can save on materials since my father and brother work for a building material wholesaler.
The utilities connections will already be laid up to the property boundary during the current expansion, and because of my professional contacts to relevant authorities, this will be cheaper for us, although I am not allowed to carry out this work myself despite my qualifications.
For those who have read this far, I would appreciate both positive and negative feedback on the design (the most recent version will be shared after tomorrow’s architect meeting) and on our overall plans. I look forward to your responses, suggestions, and critiques.
I’m transitioning from a silent reader to an active participant. In the near future, probably within the next 2-3 months, my fiancée and I plan to start building a single-family home. Here are some background details about what we plan to build and some information about our finances.
About me and my fiancée:
Me:
Age: 24
Profession: Trained road construction foreman with a master craftsman certificate, currently working as a project manager in construction projects for electrical substations, building construction, and building refurbishment.
Her:
Age: 21
Profession: Tax clerk, currently studying to become a business lawyer, with plans to qualify as a tax advisor and later continue as a certified public accountant.
Finances:
Equity capital: Currently about €40,000 divided into €20,000 in mutual funds, €5,000 in ETFs, and €15,000 in bank savings
Net income: €4,700 per month
Savings per month: €2,800
Our net income is expected to increase to about €5,300 per month within the next 2-3 months due to promotions in both of our jobs. Financially, we are well-positioned since neither of us has reached the peak of our careers yet. There are no limits upwards, especially for her, as she is expected to make a significant leap once she completes her studies, likely within two years.
Building costs / financing:
Plot of land: €70,000, fully serviced (711m² (7640 sq ft), flat with a slope toward the road, see picture)
Construction costs (more details below): €300,000
Additional building-related costs: Will be paid entirely from equity
Connection costs: Approximately €8,000 (probably significantly less)
Loan amount: €400,000
Monthly payment supported by both of us: about €1,400 (based on a 25-year term as of four weeks ago, with additional repayments of 5-8% depending on the lender; I don’t remember the exact interest rate right now)
Background:
Our decision to build a house came very quickly for both of us. It might be hard to understand for many, but somehow this idea was always lingering subconsciously for both of us. I simply asked whether we should move in together since we already spend almost all day together apart from work, get along well, and never get bored or annoyed by each other. We are both very neat and tidy to the point that we sometimes keep everything too clean.
We compared the costs of renting an apartment and decided that building a house is a much better option for us. This fits our idea of home ownership much better than buying a condominium, which in our region either is poorly maintained or has way overpriced offers. This decision was not sudden and was communicated and agreed on with our families.
The house:
Once we had finally agreed to build our own house, I started ordering various catalogs and used a design program to incorporate all our ideas, which I then shared with my fiancée. We both fell in love with the design. Currently, only the staircase and the living room are being slightly reworked by the architect because our original plan was a bit too open, with a freestanding staircase and excessively large windows. After reviewing a similar house, we realized there was too much openness or visibility, which we wanted to reduce.
Our wish list includes a large, spacious kitchen with plenty of storage, an island, and a side-by-side refrigerator, since we both really enjoy cooking and spend a lot of time there. We wanted a large living room with a dining area but also a cozy retreat within the living room for relaxing, chatting, and reading – a kind of fireplace room.
We insisted on having a master bathroom on the upper floor prepared for a sauna, and our future children should each have their own bathrooms. This idea comes from our current living experience. We also want a guest bathroom with a shower on the ground floor because some relatives travel over 200 km (125 miles) to visit, and for convenience, having a toilet on the ground level is important.
Large windows facing the garden in the living room and the master bedroom on the upper floor are important as the sun shines into the garden from noon, giving beautiful natural light in both summer and winter.
Additionally, we need a home office big enough for both of us since we both work from home, and my employer actively supports telecommuting.
This was the basic concept, and once we agreed on that and our desired features, we started searching for land. We never expected to find something after two months, but by a stroke of luck, a plot became available right next to her parents’ house – perfectly suited for our home. Her father found out that the owners wanted to sell it, so we didn’t hesitate. Since I’m already well integrated into the village, moving my home base 5 km (3 miles) away was no issue.
Also, I’m a skilled craftsman and construction enthusiast. I did exactly what I love, and I really enjoy building and managing the challenges that come with it.
Now, the key details of the house:
- Approximately 180 m² (1937 sq ft) of living space
- 2 full stories
- No basement, but insulated floor slab (similar to Jakodur)
- No binding development plan
- Heating via district heating
- Underfloor heating in almost all rooms (both of us have dust allergies)
- Modern, minimalist urban villa style with simple black/gray tones without excessive decoration
- Facade with facing brick
- 3 bathrooms (one for the children, one for the parents, one guest bathroom with shower)
- Utility room for washing machine, storage, and building services with a tall corner window
- No garage
- Space and rooms prepared for two children
Still undecided:
- Whether to install a photovoltaic system for electricity generation on the roof
- Lighting with recessed spotlights in the roof overhang
As for the construction phase, the house will be built almost entirely by ourselves. The only contracted services will be the architectural work (the architect is a family friend and charges significantly less than usual) and probably the roof structure.
Why is this possible to build mainly by ourselves (which explains the cost of under €2,000 per m²)?
For earthworks, shell construction, interior finishing, heating and plumbing, and electrical work, we have master craftsmen in the family who have already promised to help and have been asked to contribute their labor. I will be building the shell with two masons, and about 20 friends have already agreed to help with the interior finishing. Additionally, we owe them a favor.
Moreover, we can save on materials since my father and brother work for a building material wholesaler.
The utilities connections will already be laid up to the property boundary during the current expansion, and because of my professional contacts to relevant authorities, this will be cheaper for us, although I am not allowed to carry out this work myself despite my qualifications.
For those who have read this far, I would appreciate both positive and negative feedback on the design (the most recent version will be shared after tomorrow’s architect meeting) and on our overall plans. I look forward to your responses, suggestions, and critiques.
Mottenhausen schrieb:
Regarding the north orientation: it’s really not a big deal. By the sea in Germany? That’s usually to the north, Amazing! Yes, the Baltic and North Sea are located in the northern part of the country – but that doesn’t mean the coasts always face north. Often they face east or west. Just zoom in on Google Maps: the coastline isn’t straight. And even though the view to the north can be impressive, the bright sun and warm light are still missing for a cozy atmosphere. Experts in this case choose a hotel room facing inland.
Ralf_1980 schrieb:
If you got married, you would pay less taxes and therefore have more cash available for building your house. Here’s a tip That’s not quite right either. It only makes sense with the 3/5 rule if one partner earns very little. The 4/4 rule doesn’t change anything.
And the discussion about the bathtub is really amusing: photovoltaic systems are planned, as well as several options for retrofitting, including a sauna, but savings are made on the simplest way to relax later on, which can’t easily be added afterwards. The design depends on the clients and is therefore not fully developed. I’m curious to see the changes.
R
Ralf_198011 May 2019 10:12haydee schrieb:
Marriage does not necessarily save taxes.
4/4 is like 1/1.
One person has to earn significantly less than the other. I assure you, that will be the case for these two. The partner is a tax clerk, not a tax specialist, accountant, or advisor... HI
ypg schrieb:
That’s not correct either. Only if one party earns a very low wage does the 3/5 rule make sense. 4/4 changes nothing. Your statement, dear ypg, is not correct. Currently, both are in tax class 1 since they are unmarried and have no children. If they marry, they can switch to tax class 3/5 or 4/4. Over the course of a year, these two combinations result in paying approximately the same amount of taxes, but generally less in total than in 1/1—especially if the incomes differ.
Since the partner is only a tax clerk, I assert that their income distribution is very uneven, and they can save money this way.
Best regards, Ralf
H
hampshire11 May 2019 12:37ypg schrieb:
And the discussion about the bathtub is getting really amusing: photovoltaic systems are planned, as well as several retrofit options and even a sauna, but the simplest way to relax, which cannot easily be added later, is being saved on. The bathtub inside the house is overrated if you have a hot tub in the garden.
hampshire schrieb:
The bathtub inside the house is overrated if you have a hot tub in the garden. Oh, come on... @hampshire ... weak argument about what is a basic house feature and what is just nice to have in the garden. Or are you just trying to be funny?
First, the house itself needs to be finished!
My neighbor installed a hot tub later on... despite having a bathtub inside the house. But the hot tub wasn’t really used in winter. It was bought last summer... parents used it once or twice... the kids used it more often (not to be confused with frequently). When the weather is warm, you don’t want to go outside; when it’s cold, you definitely don’t.
I want to warm up for a short time during the cold season, inside the bathroom, not outside... even after intense exercise or after working in the garden, you need that “muscle wellness from Kneipp” to take effect.
And even if I hadn’t used it for 2 or 5 years, I would still know that a bath is needed for certain reasons (not just for cleaning). A sauna, on the other hand, is not used that often… the bath is located between the shower and sauna.
And the 25-year-old should listen to experienced users that a bathtub is not only useful in old age but also necessary for essential house-related tasks… the sauna is far less important here. I wouldn’t even rent an apartment without a bathtub.
H
hampshire12 May 2019 01:18A bit of humor is necessary since you also need a private place for that, and the original poster doesn’t have one. On the other hand, if the bathroom is already fully equipped, warm, outdoors, private, and with a nice view... Everyone saves somewhere at some point – even if it’s the bathtub inside the house.
hampshire schrieb:
On the other hand, if the bathroom is already spacious, warm, outdoors, private, and has a nice view...... then you can also save on the bathtub in the outdoor bathroom.Similar topics