ᐅ Prefabricated House Planning: Initial Meetings Scheduled

Hello dear community,

We (24 and 23 years old) no longer want to pay off someone else’s mortgage, so we have decided to invest in our own property. This has always been our wish. Since building a house ourselves seems too complicated, a prefab house appears to be a very good alternative.

As I only finished my studies this year and my partner completed her apprenticeship last year, our equity is understandably very limited. We have a bank appointment next month. We scheduled the meeting to run the numbers with the bank and see what is actually possible. Of course, we will also obtain comparison offers.

At a prefab house exhibition, we got in touch with a consultant, and we arranged an appointment with him for the end of the month. His idea is that we present something to take to the bank for calculations. We also informed the consultant that we do not yet own a plot of land. While the company does not broker properties, they can assist us in the search.

Regarding location, we are very flexible. Everything between Stuttgart and 30km (19 miles) north is an option. A train connection should be available at most one town over. We plan for 140 - 160 square meters (1,500 - 1,700 square feet), ideally with a basement and a small garden. We assume that a 300 square meter (3,230 square feet) plot would be sufficient. Most likely, a carport or garage would be added later. We expect the total budget to be around 500,000 euros (about $540,000 USD). This would need to include the plot and additional construction-related costs.

We know that verbal promises are nice but that everything should be put in writing. What tips can you give us for the consultation with the prefab house provider? What should we definitely pay attention to?
How do you evaluate our plans given the circumstances?
What advice do you have regarding the property? (We hear that it can be difficult to get land through municipalities, so we are hoping the consultant can support us here.)
How did you ensure that good contact with the prefab house company was maintained afterward? (We often read that contact becomes scarce after signing.)
Does the help with finding a plot sound realistic? The consultant said it might even be possible to find one within 2-3 months.
What costs should we keep in mind? (Prefab house, plot, additional construction-related costs, property transfer tax / stamp duty, notary, possibly furniture and kitchen, etc.) Should we also plan a 10% contingency even if it is a fixed price?

I have not mentioned the name of the provider yet, as I am not sure if that would count as advertising.

Best regards

I see it less optimistically. He doesn’t have a plot of land and pressures you into a house contract with a withdrawal clause if the land isn’t available by a certain date. In the fine print, there is a penalty of 10,000 for damages due to lost commission. Stay away from that guy, never go to housing exhibitions, buy the land first, then go to the master builder and discuss the house. Every business is local, there’s no rush, and time is on your side.

You have a completely wrong timeline, which could cost you a lot.

1. Financing/Bank. What is possible
2. Searching for plots, evaluating, visiting, making offers, revisiting, trying out plans on a plot, assessing location, slope, and orientation, making offers, visiting, reserving, trying out plans
3. In between, you can also engage with several home builders... but I won’t comment on that now since you are heading down the wrong path

BauherrRookie schrieb:

His idea is that we can submit something and run the numbers with the bank.

And you have absolutely no idea whether the home builder’s numbers are complete and realistic?!
Unfortunately, the fish is already on the hook... and that fish is you...

BauherrRookie schrieb:

We assume that we can manage with around 500,000 Euro. That would have to include both the land and additional construction costs.

How expensive are the plots in your area? I assume you have already checked.

BauherrRookie schrieb:

We know that verbal promises are nice and all, but we also know that everything should be put in writing. What tips can you give us for the consultation with the prefab home supplier?

Don’t sign anything. Show or commit to no liabilities.

BauherrRookie schrieb:

What tips do you have regarding the land? (It’s said to be not so easy through the municipalities, so we hope the consultant can assist us here.)

Uh, you haven’t looked yourself yet?

BauherrRookie schrieb:

Does the help with finding land sound realistic? The consultant said it might be possible to find a plot within 2-3 months.

No.

BauherrRookie schrieb:

How do you evaluate our project considering the circumstances?

Wrong. You are already mentally tied to a single home builder.

Everything has already been said. Get informed but don’t sign anything hastily. 300 m² (about 3,230 sq ft) just to make it cheaper? What kind of building is supposed to go on something like that? I also don’t see 500,000€ in the Stuttgart area for a fully equipped house.

BauherrRookie schrieb:

Since building ourselves is very likely too complex for us, a prefabricated house seems to be a very good alternative.

If your alternative to a "prefabricated house" is "building it yourself," then you should really spend more time preparing and planning thoroughly.

Very well written, Yvonne!
@BauherrRookie: The basic idea of building a house is excellent. Now, don’t rush, because finding the right plot in the commuter belt around Stuttgart will take time. With your planned budget, you’ll need one of the very rare bargains, as you’ll also want to have money left over for more than just a garden shed. Talk to many local people.
Looking at houses is fun. Treat yourselves to that and gather ideas. Stay non-committal—as everyone here advises.
Perhaps it’s also a good idea to buy something first and build yourself later.
I think it’s great that you’re so ambitious at (sorry) a young age.