Hello dear forum members,
In the scope of work description of my GÜs, it states that windows up to a maximum size of 2 x 2.25 meters (7 x 7.4 feet) are included as standard. The number of windows does not matter, as long as the structural engineering allows it.
Setting aside the economic practicality of this rule, some questions have arisen during the planning phase:
It now looks like we will have a clear ceiling height of 2.7 meters (8.9 feet) (depending on cost calculations). The architect recommended opting for window heights of about 2.32 meters (7.6 feet).
1. Question: Does that really make such a big difference?
2. Question: What would be a reasonable surcharge for 4 floor-to-ceiling windows?
Thank you and best regards,
Tolentino
P.S.: If interested, here is the house planning thread; from the linked post onward it becomes interesting due to current updates.
In the scope of work description of my GÜs, it states that windows up to a maximum size of 2 x 2.25 meters (7 x 7.4 feet) are included as standard. The number of windows does not matter, as long as the structural engineering allows it.
Setting aside the economic practicality of this rule, some questions have arisen during the planning phase:
It now looks like we will have a clear ceiling height of 2.7 meters (8.9 feet) (depending on cost calculations). The architect recommended opting for window heights of about 2.32 meters (7.6 feet).
1. Question: Does that really make such a big difference?
2. Question: What would be a reasonable surcharge for 4 floor-to-ceiling windows?
Thank you and best regards,
Tolentino
P.S.: If interested, here is the house planning thread; from the linked post onward it becomes interesting due to current updates.
11ant schrieb:
If your general contractor were ripping you off there, they probably wouldn’t do any better when calculating the costs.Yes, but then they would be pricing the windows quite cheaply. The surcharge for the larger windows can’t be that high... Or am I missing something?
Tolentino schrieb:
or am I missing something?The fact that I can’t follow your logic is an indication, but not a guarantee.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
11ant schrieb:
That I can’t follow your logic is an indication, but not a guarantee.Ok, I’ll try to explain better. Windows up to a maximum of 2 x 2.25 meters (7 x 7.4 feet) are included in the flat house price.
I asked the general contractor (GC) to calculate the windows separately, with the reasoning that I’m considering doing a self-install (my father-in-law is a window installer).
Scenario A: The GC only gives a small price difference when calculating the windows separately.
But that would imply that larger windows from the GC can’t be much more expensive (based on your 5% estimate).
Scenario B: The GC applies a large (realistic?) price difference when calculating separately.
That would probably mean a higher extra cost for larger windows as well, and then I could consider doing the self-install after all, which I don’t really want because of warranty issues (connections, sealing, etc.), or else live with somewhat smaller windows...
One more question to the community here:
If you had to decide, would you prefer taller windows (1.635 x 2.325 meters / 5.4 x 7.6 feet) or wider ones (2 x 2.25 meters / 6.6 x 7.4 feet)?
Ah, now your misunderstanding becomes clear: you assume that the general contractor (GC) operates logically or at least feels embarrassed to contradict themselves; and you think they would give you the same difference when adding as when subtracting. Sounds funny, you realize that yourself (?)
As far as I remember, no one said you need to increase the window area for the larger room volume—and I also see no reason for that. Don’t make the rooms higher without doing the same for the windows—that means keep the change neutral regarding the lintel height (in terms of the distance from the top edge of the window to the ceiling). I would choose this so-called "upper sill height" to be between 30 and 35 cm (12 and 14 inches).
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Tolentino schrieb:
One more question to the community here:
If you had to decide: higher windows (1.635 x 2.325 m (5 ft 4 in x 7 ft 7 in)) or wider ones (2 x 2.25 m (6 ft 7 in x 7 ft 5 in))?
As far as I remember, no one said you need to increase the window area for the larger room volume—and I also see no reason for that. Don’t make the rooms higher without doing the same for the windows—that means keep the change neutral regarding the lintel height (in terms of the distance from the top edge of the window to the ceiling). I would choose this so-called "upper sill height" to be between 30 and 35 cm (12 and 14 inches).
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
11ant schrieb:
Ah, now your misunderstanding becomes clear: you assume that the general contractor (GC) has logic or at least any hesitation to contradict themselves; and you think they would present you with the same difference when adding as when subtracting. Sounds funny, you realize that yourself (?) Well, at least it’s open to argument. In a professional context (a completely different industry and products), I was often able to negotiate discounts this way.
For example, they calculate 5,000 EUR for 10 windows on the ground floor (which, in my view, would correspond more to scenario A).
Then they probably cannot justify extra costs of 500 EUR per window for windows that are 7cm (3 inches) taller.
11ant schrieb:
As far as I remember, no one said that you would have to increase the window area because of the larger room volume. No, no one said that either. It’s more my concern to ensure sufficient daylight and whether I can compensate for the lack of height by increasing the width.
From your post, I now gather that the height is more for aesthetic reasons than for lighting purposes.
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