M
MiCasaEsSuCasa3 Sep 2020 12:23Hello everyone!
When building a solid construction house with a builder, I understand there is some flexibility regarding the floor plan. In other words, I can usually move a few walls or possibly add an extra room (of course, all at an additional cost, which is clear!). Now my question is: Do I have this freedom when it comes to the total square meters as well? We particularly like one house plan that is 124m² (1,335 sq ft). Would it be possible to “simply” increase it to 130 or 135m² (1,400 or 1,450 sq ft) — naturally for an extra charge?
Thanks in advance for your answers!
When building a solid construction house with a builder, I understand there is some flexibility regarding the floor plan. In other words, I can usually move a few walls or possibly add an extra room (of course, all at an additional cost, which is clear!). Now my question is: Do I have this freedom when it comes to the total square meters as well? We particularly like one house plan that is 124m² (1,335 sq ft). Would it be possible to “simply” increase it to 130 or 135m² (1,400 or 1,450 sq ft) — naturally for an extra charge?
Thanks in advance for your answers!
Of course, solid construction is entirely possible. For example, we had a room built with a ceiling height of 3.5 meters (11.5 feet). The parapet of the flat roof was also raised with masonry, so now we have a roof terrace. When considering the additional costs, it is important to remember that not only the basic construction costs increase, but also that any deviation from a standard house usually requires a new structural engineering assessment.
And not only that, everything needs to be increased, and special solutions may be necessary as well.
The houses from the catalog are usually calculated very precisely and work as designed. However, as soon as you change something fundamental, such as the floor area, many things need to be redesigned, and you cannot simply take the project off the shelf.
Not just the structural engineering... for example, the roof has to be redesigned, which may require longer and thicker beams, increased snow load, and so on.
This can ultimately lead to the construction taking significantly longer than usual with this general contractor.
A "few extra square meters" can turn into a never-ending story, as there is usually a chain reaction of related issues.
The houses from the catalog are usually calculated very precisely and work as designed. However, as soon as you change something fundamental, such as the floor area, many things need to be redesigned, and you cannot simply take the project off the shelf.
Not just the structural engineering... for example, the roof has to be redesigned, which may require longer and thicker beams, increased snow load, and so on.
This can ultimately lead to the construction taking significantly longer than usual with this general contractor.
A "few extra square meters" can turn into a never-ending story, as there is usually a chain reaction of related issues.
DaSch17 schrieb:
But that has nothing to do with the construction method. You can also customize a prefabricated timber frame house and include higher ceiling heights. It is somewhat related. Prefabricated house manufacturers often work with predefined grids. This means that the possibilities for expansion are limited by these grids. And the ceiling height is—at least from our experience—restricted. Only one of the manufacturers we spoke to could offer a ceiling height of 3.50 meters (11.5 feet).
AxelH. schrieb:
There are some limitations. Prefabricated house manufacturers often work with so-called grids, which define the possible extensions. And the ceiling height is—at least from our experience—limited. Only one of the manufacturers we spoke with offered a height of 3.50 meters (11.5 feet). If I look at catalog homes, sure. But with most manufacturers, there is usually a house model and then different variants... For example, the model "City Villa Munich" with variants "120," "140," or "160."
Most manufacturers also offer options like adding a bay window, which comes at an additional cost. This allows you to extend your living area quite individually while still choosing the standard house from the catalog.
A ceiling height of 3.50 meters (11.5 feet) is already a very exclusive request and not common. But “normal” increases of up to 0.50 meters (20 inches) are easily possible with prefab house manufacturers.
Similar topics