Hello everyone,
My partner and I are now mentally preparing to build a very small house ourselves. A true tiny house would be too small for us, but houses of about 40 to 50 square meters (430 to 540 square feet) already meet our needs.
There are quite affordable providers here, like woodee and onoxa, which we generally like. On the other hand, you are tied to certain floor plans (at least the external dimensions). Also, since we don’t consider the minimum 2000 EUR per square meter (approximately $215 per square foot) to be really cheap, we want to design and build such a small house ourselves. Single-story, flat roof or pitched roof (probably better for planning permission), underfloor heating—so very similar to the providers’ models. Although I have never built a timber frame exterior wall before, I have done almost everything else (masonry, garage roof, all interior work including electrical and plumbing). Gas and electricity connections will, of course, be done by professionals.
My biggest question is whether this can be approved without special effort, that is, if it fits well with the neighboring buildings (we don’t have a plot yet, but it will be in Rhineland-Palatinate or Hesse in a small village where there is usually a mix of pre-war buildings, well-renovated houses, and new buildings—almost always with pitched roofs). Can you find an architect who will officially approve it for a reasonable fee, etc.? Do you have experience or tips, for example websites (I mostly found providers or blogs that seem sponsored, and American blogs don’t help much regarding German regulations).
It is not important initially whether the house will ever be transported. This is not planned.
Thanks in advance for any help!
My partner and I are now mentally preparing to build a very small house ourselves. A true tiny house would be too small for us, but houses of about 40 to 50 square meters (430 to 540 square feet) already meet our needs.
There are quite affordable providers here, like woodee and onoxa, which we generally like. On the other hand, you are tied to certain floor plans (at least the external dimensions). Also, since we don’t consider the minimum 2000 EUR per square meter (approximately $215 per square foot) to be really cheap, we want to design and build such a small house ourselves. Single-story, flat roof or pitched roof (probably better for planning permission), underfloor heating—so very similar to the providers’ models. Although I have never built a timber frame exterior wall before, I have done almost everything else (masonry, garage roof, all interior work including electrical and plumbing). Gas and electricity connections will, of course, be done by professionals.
My biggest question is whether this can be approved without special effort, that is, if it fits well with the neighboring buildings (we don’t have a plot yet, but it will be in Rhineland-Palatinate or Hesse in a small village where there is usually a mix of pre-war buildings, well-renovated houses, and new buildings—almost always with pitched roofs). Can you find an architect who will officially approve it for a reasonable fee, etc.? Do you have experience or tips, for example websites (I mostly found providers or blogs that seem sponsored, and American blogs don’t help much regarding German regulations).
It is not important initially whether the house will ever be transported. This is not planned.
Thanks in advance for any help!
K
knalltüte18 Jun 2020 06:41Good morning,
since I have gone through the thought process from tiny house to mini house to semi-detached house,
I also researched these kinds of things back then.
(Rolling) tiny houses: I once stayed in one for a weekend as a test, but it was a bit too small. With external dimensions of 3 x 8.5 m (approximately 10 x 28 feet) mounted on a trailer as cargo, it might have worked?
The next size you are aiming for also appealed to me.
There is si-modular in Münster. With this system, you can at least assemble the shell like Lego within one day.
The costs were, if I remember correctly, manageable.
But the rest (electrical, building services, windows, etc.) must be carefully selected financially. Otherwise, such a project does not pay off.
A proper foundation is usually not necessary. Screw anchors, like those used for garden sheds, should be sufficient. Depending on the building area, a permit / planning permission would probably also be possible. So choose an economical heating system (mini pellet stove plus tankless water heater or boiler, alternatively a mini heat pump like the Panasonic "Geisha"), install affordable windows yourself, prepare the electrical work yourself (lay cables, install switches, and especially reduce the quantity).
Roofing and photovoltaic systems (if using a heat pump) can be installed by yourself.
There are tiny house forums where you can get guidance on what to do yourself. You can often find creative ideas there, as a small house has very different technical requirements (for example, a tiny house can be heated "quickly" with a 2000 watt hairdryer).
since I have gone through the thought process from tiny house to mini house to semi-detached house,
I also researched these kinds of things back then.
(Rolling) tiny houses: I once stayed in one for a weekend as a test, but it was a bit too small. With external dimensions of 3 x 8.5 m (approximately 10 x 28 feet) mounted on a trailer as cargo, it might have worked?
The next size you are aiming for also appealed to me.
There is si-modular in Münster. With this system, you can at least assemble the shell like Lego within one day.
The costs were, if I remember correctly, manageable.
But the rest (electrical, building services, windows, etc.) must be carefully selected financially. Otherwise, such a project does not pay off.
A proper foundation is usually not necessary. Screw anchors, like those used for garden sheds, should be sufficient. Depending on the building area, a permit / planning permission would probably also be possible. So choose an economical heating system (mini pellet stove plus tankless water heater or boiler, alternatively a mini heat pump like the Panasonic "Geisha"), install affordable windows yourself, prepare the electrical work yourself (lay cables, install switches, and especially reduce the quantity).
Roofing and photovoltaic systems (if using a heat pump) can be installed by yourself.
There are tiny house forums where you can get guidance on what to do yourself. You can often find creative ideas there, as a small house has very different technical requirements (for example, a tiny house can be heated "quickly" with a 2000 watt hairdryer).
N
nordanney18 Jun 2020 07:46superzapp schrieb:
Otherwise, something like that doesn’t pay off.Something like that never really pays off because the cost per square meter of living space is extremely high (due to the small living area). You also have to comply with all legal requirements, including energy saving regulations.K
knalltüte18 Jun 2020 08:54I am fairly certain that the Energy Saving Ordinance 2016 applies up to 50 m² (540 ft²) [B] (exception for small houses). Even tiny house manufacturers manage to comply with it (albeit with some effort).
@superzapp Thanks for the detailed experience report! Semi-detached houses here are incredibly expensive, nothing below 200,000 EUR unrenovated and with a very small plot.
In principle, I have no problem complying with the energy saving regulations, unless it becomes a deal breaker. I have taken a look at the construction from woodee. Nothing really seems expensive when it comes to walls, ceiling, and floor (beams, glass wool insulation in between, vapor barrier, OSB, drywall, roof with roofing felt or bitumen shingles). Electric underfloor heating combined with triple-glazed windows and that amount of sunlight should be enough (instead of gas). Windows are actually a surprising cost factor if you want sliding windows (to save space). Otherwise, my goal is to stay below 1,000 EUR/sq m (without furniture) but including bathroom and kitchen.
I find the exemption up to 50m² (540 sq ft) from the energy saving regulations interesting. Is it really based only on floor area and not volume? Then I could build the ceiling a bit higher and limit the floor area to 50m² (540 sq ft), while using the additional space for storage or a sleeping area at 2m (6 ft 7 in) height instead of building 70m² (750 sq ft).
In principle, I have no problem complying with the energy saving regulations, unless it becomes a deal breaker. I have taken a look at the construction from woodee. Nothing really seems expensive when it comes to walls, ceiling, and floor (beams, glass wool insulation in between, vapor barrier, OSB, drywall, roof with roofing felt or bitumen shingles). Electric underfloor heating combined with triple-glazed windows and that amount of sunlight should be enough (instead of gas). Windows are actually a surprising cost factor if you want sliding windows (to save space). Otherwise, my goal is to stay below 1,000 EUR/sq m (without furniture) but including bathroom and kitchen.
I find the exemption up to 50m² (540 sq ft) from the energy saving regulations interesting. Is it really based only on floor area and not volume? Then I could build the ceiling a bit higher and limit the floor area to 50m² (540 sq ft), while using the additional space for storage or a sleeping area at 2m (6 ft 7 in) height instead of building 70m² (750 sq ft).
K
knalltüte18 Jun 2020 17:25Hi,
my (140m² (1507 sq ft)) semi-detached house will cost around 300K (without the land).
But I don’t want to be the richest person in the cemetery.
Well, you will have to comply with the energy-saving regulations if you want to obtain a building permit / planning permission. This is the minimum standard and a requirement. Otherwise, it will just be a vacation home, not suitable as a primary residence.
For the 2016 energy-saving regulation up to 50m² (540 sq ft), you’ll need to do some research yourself. Google? I only read about it back then and didn’t verify further because my (life) plans changed significantly.
1,000€ per m² (93 USD per sq ft) is very ambitious for this size. I don’t rule it out, but it certainly only works with a lot of DIY, meticulous planning, and some compromises in comfort.
Sliding windows are probably out of the question unless you find a cheap unit on eBay (classifieds) and install it yourself.
If the building permit allows asphalt shingles, why not?
I would also actually ask a traditional timber construction company about the infill walls (the timber frame) and the roof structure without roofing. The bare shell construction itself is quite affordable.
Or buy a cheap large garden shed for 20-25K and insulate it yourself. However, proof of compliance with the energy-saving regulations must then be provided by someone (calculate in advance if it’s possible).
Someone will also have to take responsibility for the building application or simplified process (an architect).
According to fee regulations like HOAI, this won’t be feasible because it’s too expensive (not too expensive overall, but not proportional to the project). Agree on a flat rate or hourly wage (get a maximum scope offer in advance).
Allow plenty of time for very detailed planning AND a lot of DIY work.
Wish you lots of success!
my (140m² (1507 sq ft)) semi-detached house will cost around 300K (without the land).
But I don’t want to be the richest person in the cemetery.
Well, you will have to comply with the energy-saving regulations if you want to obtain a building permit / planning permission. This is the minimum standard and a requirement. Otherwise, it will just be a vacation home, not suitable as a primary residence.
For the 2016 energy-saving regulation up to 50m² (540 sq ft), you’ll need to do some research yourself. Google? I only read about it back then and didn’t verify further because my (life) plans changed significantly.
1,000€ per m² (93 USD per sq ft) is very ambitious for this size. I don’t rule it out, but it certainly only works with a lot of DIY, meticulous planning, and some compromises in comfort.
Sliding windows are probably out of the question unless you find a cheap unit on eBay (classifieds) and install it yourself.
If the building permit allows asphalt shingles, why not?
I would also actually ask a traditional timber construction company about the infill walls (the timber frame) and the roof structure without roofing. The bare shell construction itself is quite affordable.
Or buy a cheap large garden shed for 20-25K and insulate it yourself. However, proof of compliance with the energy-saving regulations must then be provided by someone (calculate in advance if it’s possible).
Someone will also have to take responsibility for the building application or simplified process (an architect).
According to fee regulations like HOAI, this won’t be feasible because it’s too expensive (not too expensive overall, but not proportional to the project). Agree on a flat rate or hourly wage (get a maximum scope offer in advance).
Allow plenty of time for very detailed planning AND a lot of DIY work.
Wish you lots of success!
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