Hello everyone,
This is my first post, and we are still at the very beginning of our planning process. (That’s why we haven’t gathered much information yet or found many suitable options).
We are considering building a so-called "single house" (solid construction) for our retirement. Unfortunately, we have found very little information so far, mostly about container homes, tiny houses, log cabins, and similar types. We want to build the single house in a rural area and use it as a vacation home over the next few years.
Now to my questions:
Does anyone know if, for rough cost estimates, the price per square meter or cubic meter should be higher than for a similarly equipped house with a "normal" floor area?
Could such a small house possibly be more expensive than a "regular" small single-family house?
Are there solid construction manufacturers (possibly also prefabricated house manufacturers) who build houses this small?
I would be grateful for any advice or tips.
Best regards
This is my first post, and we are still at the very beginning of our planning process. (That’s why we haven’t gathered much information yet or found many suitable options).
We are considering building a so-called "single house" (solid construction) for our retirement. Unfortunately, we have found very little information so far, mostly about container homes, tiny houses, log cabins, and similar types. We want to build the single house in a rural area and use it as a vacation home over the next few years.
Now to my questions:
Does anyone know if, for rough cost estimates, the price per square meter or cubic meter should be higher than for a similarly equipped house with a "normal" floor area?
Could such a small house possibly be more expensive than a "regular" small single-family house?
Are there solid construction manufacturers (possibly also prefabricated house manufacturers) who build houses this small?
I would be grateful for any advice or tips.
Best regards
B
Bauexperte13 Dec 2012 11:44Hello,
The question of additional construction costs is explained here:
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/ratgeber/bauherrenhilfe.422/bauherrenhilfe-vor-vertragsabschluss.424/bausumme.662/#Baunebenkosten%20und%20Grunderwerbsteuer
You will need less since you already own the land; I would initially estimate around €30,000 (approx. USD 32,000). What you should pay attention to is the access to the plot. Garden plots are usually connected by very narrow paths. Heavy equipment needs to reach the site, or the costs will increase significantly.
Best regards
Alfi schrieb:That largely depends on the quality of the materials used; I can’t think of any reason why, with proper quality standards, a prefab house wouldn’t be durable. However, small houses are a niche product within the traditional prefab sector and are therefore probably much more expensive than conventional construction.
– and they certainly don’t last as long as a solidly built house. (Or a prefab house?)
Alfi schrieb:I still think you should be able to build a conventionally constructed house for around €90,000–100,000 (approx. USD 97,000–108,000), even in Baden-Württemberg. By the way, I have already assumed that the attic will be used.
At the moment, we’re trying to estimate the cost difference between a log house and a (solid) built house and whether the additional financial expense is worth it for us. (€100,000 is quite a sum here). What minimum additional construction costs should we expect?
The question of additional construction costs is explained here:
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/ratgeber/bauherrenhilfe.422/bauherrenhilfe-vor-vertragsabschluss.424/bausumme.662/#Baunebenkosten%20und%20Grunderwerbsteuer
You will need less since you already own the land; I would initially estimate around €30,000 (approx. USD 32,000). What you should pay attention to is the access to the plot. Garden plots are usually connected by very narrow paths. Heavy equipment needs to reach the site, or the costs will increase significantly.
Best regards
Hello and thank you for the additional feedback!
@Bauexperte, the link and your assessments are very helpful. A special thanks for that! We will definitely continue down this path.
Speaking of paths... how wide should the access roads be? We can definitely reach the plot by car. The challenge might be a sharp turn for larger vehicles.
What knowledge should we acquire before contacting a planner (an architect with experience in single-family home construction)? Is visiting a building fair (these usually take place at the beginning of the year) useful before the initial consultation?
This forum is definitely very helpful for getting familiar with all the terminology.
Best regards
@Bauexperte, the link and your assessments are very helpful. A special thanks for that! We will definitely continue down this path.
Speaking of paths... how wide should the access roads be? We can definitely reach the plot by car. The challenge might be a sharp turn for larger vehicles.
What knowledge should we acquire before contacting a planner (an architect with experience in single-family home construction)? Is visiting a building fair (these usually take place at the beginning of the year) useful before the initial consultation?
This forum is definitely very helpful for getting familiar with all the terminology.
Best regards
B
Bauexperte13 Dec 2012 17:44Hello,
Our documents state the following on this matter:
"A prerequisite for the start of construction is the provision of a building-ready plot of land, free of building parts, trees, cables, or other obstacles, and accessible for heavy construction vehicles." Heavy construction vehicles generally means that our client is responsible for providing unrestricted and stable, load-bearing access to the construction site and plot for trucks up to 40 t (44 tons), cranes, etc. That is one of the reasons why we inspect every property before submitting an offer.
This or something similar is stated in nearly all construction contracts; at least in all those I am familiar with.
A trade fair is always a good starting point — but be careful about sharing your address too often; otherwise, your mailbox will overflow.
Visits to energy agencies, consumer protection centers, or lecture series are also recommended, as well as reading relevant literature—for example, check the website of the Fraunhofer Institute. And last but not least, and not to be underestimated: visit a new housing development of your choice and talk to the homeowners there. The visit should preferably take place on a weekend, when salespeople and construction companies are usually not around, so you can expect honest answers!
However, free yourself from the idea that you will be an expert after following the above recommendations. BUT it is a good starting point! When you then start collecting offers, you won’t feel quite so uncertain. More information can be found here on the HBF or in my albums; also here on the HBF.
Kind regards
Alfi schrieb:
By the way, how wide should the access roads be? We can definitely drive onto the property by car. The problem might be a sharp turn for larger vehicles.
Our documents state the following on this matter:
"A prerequisite for the start of construction is the provision of a building-ready plot of land, free of building parts, trees, cables, or other obstacles, and accessible for heavy construction vehicles." Heavy construction vehicles generally means that our client is responsible for providing unrestricted and stable, load-bearing access to the construction site and plot for trucks up to 40 t (44 tons), cranes, etc. That is one of the reasons why we inspect every property before submitting an offer.
This or something similar is stated in nearly all construction contracts; at least in all those I am familiar with.
Alfi schrieb:
What knowledge should we acquire before contacting a planner (architect with experience in single-family house construction)? Is visiting a trade fair (building exhibitions are held at the beginning of the year) advisable before the initial consultation?
A trade fair is always a good starting point — but be careful about sharing your address too often; otherwise, your mailbox will overflow.
Visits to energy agencies, consumer protection centers, or lecture series are also recommended, as well as reading relevant literature—for example, check the website of the Fraunhofer Institute. And last but not least, and not to be underestimated: visit a new housing development of your choice and talk to the homeowners there. The visit should preferably take place on a weekend, when salespeople and construction companies are usually not around, so you can expect honest answers!
However, free yourself from the idea that you will be an expert after following the above recommendations. BUT it is a good starting point! When you then start collecting offers, you won’t feel quite so uncertain. More information can be found here on the HBF or in my albums; also here on the HBF.
Kind regards
Thanks, building expert, for the input.
Fortunately, we didn’t want to start building right away in 2013 anyway... so we still have about 1 year to gather information and prepare, so that we won’t be left clueless.
And don’t worry, I do not plan to study architecture or engineering, etc. I just want to be able to talk to the experts and understand what they tell me. (That hopefully makes the process easier for both sides).
Best regards
PS. If I can’t find the albums, I’ll get back to you.
Fortunately, we didn’t want to start building right away in 2013 anyway... so we still have about 1 year to gather information and prepare, so that we won’t be left clueless.
And don’t worry, I do not plan to study architecture or engineering, etc. I just want to be able to talk to the experts and understand what they tell me. (That hopefully makes the process easier for both sides).
Best regards
PS. If I can’t find the albums, I’ll get back to you.
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