ᐅ Single-Family Home – New Construction Project from Day One – And the Planning Begins
Created on: 7 Feb 2020 22:54
D
DaSch17
Hello dear community,
For the past few weeks, I have been following this forum and have already gathered some valuable tips for our own planning.
I would like to use this thread to keep you updated from the very first day of planning until moving in. I hope to receive some valuable advice from the community and that this thread can also serve as a guide for other first-time homebuilders.
Now, a bit about our building project:
As mentioned, we are still quite early in the process...
It all started, as it probably does for most, with requesting a catalog from a prefabricated house company. In our case, it was FingerHaus around mid-December.
This was followed by a phone call with a sales representative from the mentioned company and arranging a first consultation. This appointment is scheduled for Sunday, 09.02.2020.
Since then, we have been intensively working on budget planning, possible floor plans and building plots, as well as ideal typical living space layouts.
So far, we have not purchased a plot yet. However, we are in contact with a municipality that is currently planning an expansion of a new residential area. Fortunately, this allowed us to help decide the size, location, and shape of our future plot. Our desired plot is reserved for us.
Key details of our planned single-family home:
– Location: Southwestphalia, Siegen-Wittgenstein district
– Living area: 179 sqm (1,925 sq ft)
– Concrete slab foundation
– Gable roof
– 1.5 stories with gable roof
– Single garage with extended length for tools/storage room
Our budget:
– Plot including property transfer tax: 70,000 EUR
– Construction costs: 470,000 EUR
– Additional construction costs including earthworks: 70,000 EUR
Our schedule:
– By May 2021: Selection of the construction company
– By July 2021: Contract signing, building permit / planning permission application
– By July 2023: Completion of construction work
– By October 2023: Completion of owner-performed work (painting and flooring) and move-in
We understand that the start of construction depends on the delivery time of the prefab house company, which can vary between 6 and 24 months.
We have now selected 8 different companies with whom we want to conduct initial meetings:
– FingerHaus
– Hanse Haus
– SchwörerHaus
– Bien-Zenker
– Schäfer Haus (contact via family)
– Büdenbender Haus
– WeberHaus
– a local developer
After these initial talks, we want to proceed with more detailed discussions with 4 of these providers.
–––––––––––––––––––
What should we pay attention to during the initial meetings? What is particularly important? Should we disclose our budget to the sales representatives?
For the past few weeks, I have been following this forum and have already gathered some valuable tips for our own planning.
I would like to use this thread to keep you updated from the very first day of planning until moving in. I hope to receive some valuable advice from the community and that this thread can also serve as a guide for other first-time homebuilders.
Now, a bit about our building project:
As mentioned, we are still quite early in the process...
It all started, as it probably does for most, with requesting a catalog from a prefabricated house company. In our case, it was FingerHaus around mid-December.
This was followed by a phone call with a sales representative from the mentioned company and arranging a first consultation. This appointment is scheduled for Sunday, 09.02.2020.
Since then, we have been intensively working on budget planning, possible floor plans and building plots, as well as ideal typical living space layouts.
So far, we have not purchased a plot yet. However, we are in contact with a municipality that is currently planning an expansion of a new residential area. Fortunately, this allowed us to help decide the size, location, and shape of our future plot. Our desired plot is reserved for us.
Key details of our planned single-family home:
– Location: Southwestphalia, Siegen-Wittgenstein district
– Living area: 179 sqm (1,925 sq ft)
– Concrete slab foundation
– Gable roof
– 1.5 stories with gable roof
– Single garage with extended length for tools/storage room
Our budget:
– Plot including property transfer tax: 70,000 EUR
– Construction costs: 470,000 EUR
– Additional construction costs including earthworks: 70,000 EUR
Our schedule:
– By May 2021: Selection of the construction company
– By July 2021: Contract signing, building permit / planning permission application
– By July 2023: Completion of construction work
– By October 2023: Completion of owner-performed work (painting and flooring) and move-in
We understand that the start of construction depends on the delivery time of the prefab house company, which can vary between 6 and 24 months.
We have now selected 8 different companies with whom we want to conduct initial meetings:
– FingerHaus
– Hanse Haus
– SchwörerHaus
– Bien-Zenker
– Schäfer Haus (contact via family)
– Büdenbender Haus
– WeberHaus
– a local developer
After these initial talks, we want to proceed with more detailed discussions with 4 of these providers.
–––––––––––––––––––
What should we pay attention to during the initial meetings? What is particularly important? Should we disclose our budget to the sales representatives?
kaho674 schrieb:
Did she say anything about the drainage of the kids' bathroom? Right now, it would still drain down next to the patio door in the living room. Also, the toilet flush is directly adjacent to the parents' bedroom – I would much more likely miss having a double wall there.No, we didn't talk about the drainage. But now that you mention it, it's definitely an important topic! Thanks!
I think the double wall in that area might make sense – we'll include it in our floor plan for now.
If I were you, I would consult an architect.
Trying to improve a floor plan you found online on your own together with a prefab house salesperson usually doesn’t lead to a very good result.
By the way, Fingerhaus is more on the upscale side, so if you already find the features there lacking...
Trying to improve a floor plan you found online on your own together with a prefab house salesperson usually doesn’t lead to a very good result.
By the way, Fingerhaus is more on the upscale side, so if you already find the features there lacking...
A
Anmacatili13 Feb 2020 06:09Pierre schrieb:
Hello DaSch17, have you already visited any model homes from the builders?
We went to several model home parks and looked at various houses there. After that, we gradually narrowed down our selection. When the final numbers came in, we made our choice.
Where in Siegerland do you want to build? Our house will be erected this year in Kreuztal. Sorry for hijacking the thread. Unfortunately, I can’t send private messages yet. Pierre, could you please contact me via PM? I would like to discuss which builder you ultimately chose and hear about your experience. We are currently in the planning phase and gathering quotes to build in Siegerland as well. Thanks.
Regarding the topic here... we also visited Fingerhaus and had the Neo 211 planned. The quote is acceptable, and the contact with the architect was very friendly. However, like the thread starter, I get the impression they want to close the deal quickly and therefore act somewhat hurriedly. Right after receiving the quote, we were offered a visit to the factory with dinner at the Italian restaurant and so on. That all feels rushed to me, and I need to slow things down a bit.
However, the Fingerhaus standard does not seem low to me at all, but impressions and expectations probably differ.
@DaSch17 could you please send me the mentioned reputable general contractor via PM? Thanks
Hello Anmacatil, unfortunately, I am still unable to send private messages.
We were very interested in Griffner from Austria; we really liked their concept, but the price was significantly lower.
After that, the search slowly continued, and eventually, we found Kern-Haus in the Westerwald region. Although we initially had doubts about the DuoTherm construction method, among other things, we were convinced by the transparent pricing. With Kern-Haus, we were able to see all the included features from the very beginning; with other builders, this was sometimes only possible after signing the contract.
We visited several Kern-Haus homes, attended inspections of the shell construction, and so on. Some call the DuoTherm construction method a "squeaky house," but we’ll probably only know after moving in whether we made the right choice. One fact is certain: you can’t just hammer a nail into the wall without careful consideration.
Regards, Pierre
We were very interested in Griffner from Austria; we really liked their concept, but the price was significantly lower.
After that, the search slowly continued, and eventually, we found Kern-Haus in the Westerwald region. Although we initially had doubts about the DuoTherm construction method, among other things, we were convinced by the transparent pricing. With Kern-Haus, we were able to see all the included features from the very beginning; with other builders, this was sometimes only possible after signing the contract.
We visited several Kern-Haus homes, attended inspections of the shell construction, and so on. Some call the DuoTherm construction method a "squeaky house," but we’ll probably only know after moving in whether we made the right choice. One fact is certain: you can’t just hammer a nail into the wall without careful consideration.
Regards, Pierre
Oh yes, in the end, everyone wants to move in very quickly. However, we did not let that rush affect us.
Some acquaintances of ours signed up very quickly with another provider because they would then get a kitchen worth amount X for free.
I really dislike such bait offers.
Some acquaintances of ours signed up very quickly with another provider because they would then get a kitchen worth amount X for free.
I really dislike such bait offers.
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