ᐅ Does the consumer advice center provide support with home building?

Hello everyone,

I am taking over a plot of land from my parents that has a small house ready for demolition.
I want to build a new one on it. However, I lack fundamental knowledge.

Questions range from... Insurance topic: How should I insure the house demolition to cover potential damages to, for example, neighboring houses?
to How much can the entire project cost without risking over-indebtedness?
and up to: Does it make sense to hand over demolition and construction to a company?
What should the scope of work look like when the house is demolished (demolition and removal—this term can mean different things to different people)? What does a professional demolition look like in order to be able to build new afterwards? ..etc.

Will I get answers to these questions in an appointment at the consumer advice center?
Can they provide me with basic knowledge?

I am just starting out, and I really don’t want to approach this with half-knowledge.

rpc schrieb:

Topic insurance: How should I insure the house demolition to cover possible damage to, for example, neighboring houses?

Shift the responsibility to the company doing the demolition (or can you handle demolition and disposal on your own?).

rpc schrieb:

How much should the entire project cost to avoid the risk of excessive debt?

Share your ideas here, and you’ll get good advice. Costs and financing are closely linked to the type and size of the house as well as your financial situation. In the end, you know best what you can afford.

rpc schrieb:

Does it make sense to hand demolition and construction over to a company?

Unless you are a skilled tradesperson, have a whole year off, and many friends who are tradespeople willing to work for free, you can of course build yourself. But 99.99% of people hire an architect and/or a general contractor.

You can also get a lot of basic knowledge here in the forum if you ask.

rpc schrieb:

I am taking over a plot of land from my parents

Is the land being gifted to you, purchased, or transferred in another way? Does ownership pass to you? Otherwise, you might want to read up here on what happens if not
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/Haus-auf-Grundstück-der-Eltern.33972/

Budget: It’s best to discuss with your bank or a mortgage broker what you can afford. On this forum, you can then learn about all the “hidden” costs that can come with building a house.

rpc schrieb:

There is a small house on the plot that needs to be demolished.
I want to build a new one there.

What makes the house worth demolishing or even ready for demolition? What do you plan to build? Would the basement be usable or worthwhile (house connections, savings on deep demolition)?

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

nordanney schrieb:

Shift the problem onto whoever is handling the demolition (or can you handle the demolition and disposal yourself)?

Exactly, that would be my first choice. I didn’t even know that was possible.

nordanney schrieb:

Unless you’re a craftsman, have a full year off, and many, many handy friends willing to work for free, you’ll of course build through professionals. But 99.99% of people hire an architect and/or general contractor.

You can also get a lot of basic knowledge here in the forum if you ask.

That was poorly phrased; of course I want both to be carried out by companies.
However, I wonder whether it makes more sense to have both done by one company... or to have the company that builds the house also handle the demolition (for example, to save costs).

Pinky0301 schrieb:

Is the land being given to you, bought, or something similar? Does ownership transfer to you? Otherwise, you might want to read here about what happens if not.

Exactly, and to avoid such pitfalls I would like to get some advice.
The plot should definitely be transferred to my name, or via a leasehold or something similar... but I would also appreciate advice on what option would be best for me.

11ant schrieb:

What makes the house worth or ready for demolition; what are you planning to build; would the cellar be usable/ worthwhile (house connections, savings from avoiding deep excavation)?

The house dates from around 1900, about 60 sqm (650 sq ft), with low ceilings, in need of renovation and maintenance backlog, terrace exit is narrow and small, garden only accessible through the house, etc.
I want to build at least 120 sqm (1,300 sq ft), 1.5 to 2 stories, with living room, kitchen, bathroom, guest WC, 3 bedrooms, no basement needed.
Electricity (house connection) still comes overhead via the roof and would need to stay that way.
Gas (house connection) goes into a kind of shed, where the heating is also located (I would like to leave that shed and heating as is, since it’s not old! New piping would run from there to the hot water and underfloor heating in the future).
Water (house connection) is in the basement (partially underground). Currently accessible via a wooden cover at floor level that has to be removed to read the water meter, then you have to climb into a kind of cellar... size of this “basement” is max. 6 sqm (65 sq ft).

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What do you think, does it make more sense to first involve an architect to assess the situation or to hire a company to demolish the house?
I’m honestly really unsure. I would also be fine with a prefabricated home from a builder. In that case, I wouldn’t need an architect.
I’m basically clueless about pretty much everything. However, my parents want to sell the plot if I don’t realize my plans there... and it’s just too much of a shame to give up the property.

rpc schrieb:

However, my parents want to sell the plot if I don’t realize my plans there... and I just feel it’s a shame to give up the land.

Oh dear, you need to think very carefully about building under such pressure. Are you planning to build alone, or do you have a wife/girlfriend involved?

For the first steps, you should consult the following advisors, and more than one of each if possible, because by the second and third meeting you will know much more, and the conversations will take very different directions.
- Your main bank and mortgage broker: How high is your maximum budget? What are the terms for the maximum amount, and other financial questions.
- Notary: All questions related to the transfer of ownership and legal matters.
- Local building authority / planning department: What is allowed to be built there? Is there a development plan (zoning plan) you must comply with?
- Show homes, architects, and general contractors for the new house. This will also help develop ideas about how you really want it to be.

Otherwise, ask specific (!) questions. There is no general advisory service like a consumer advice center that will protect you from mistakes.