ᐅ House construction in the Ruhr region on an existing plot of land

Hello everyone,

We are new to the topic of house building. So far, we have only been interested in existing properties – but after years of searching, nothing suitable has come up, and prices have now become so high that we are considering building a new house.

The situation is as follows:

My parents own an end-terrace house situated on a plot of about 500 sqm (5400 sq ft) (number 51 in the picture). When they bought the house, the undeveloped plot next door was included. We have since spoken with the city and found out that we could build a house on the adjacent plot (which belongs to them, together totaling 1030 sqm (11,100 sq ft), marked with the red X). The development plan apparently contains all the key information. Regarding permits (building permit / planning permission), we shouldn’t need to worry much because all requirements seem to be clearly regulated here.

We are now considering an extension and are looking for house building companies that could advise us, so we can get an initial overview of what the costs might be. We wouldn’t have to pay for the land since it’s already available. I can imagine that a new build without the cost of land might end up costing about the same as an existing property that would still need some renovation.

We are based in Herne, right in the Ruhr area, and wanted to ask if anyone could recommend someone to contact around here.

Does it even make sense to look at the typical prefab home showrooms, etc.? Since we wouldn’t be allowed to build just anything at will here anyway, but would in principle have to build exactly the same type of house as my parents’ next door (though I don’t know who built those; they date back to 1965).

I’d appreciate any exchange of ideas.

The parents’ house is an end-of-terrace house.

Are there no windows on the wall facing the Red Cross building?

But 500 m2 (5,380 sq ft) initially sounds like enough space for a single-family house.

Can you tell us the length and width of the plot? Is it oriented north-south?

How much are you able to invest?

Could you share the conditions of the building permit / planning permission with us?

A new build costs – depending on the requirements and own contributions – between 1800 and 2500 per square meter (10.8 and 23.2 per square foot) for basic quality in house sizes around 130–160 square meters (1400–1700 square feet).

Of course, you can always spend more 😉

Prefab house prices found online are base prices that exclude the basement, additional construction costs, upgrades, landscaping, and so on.

icandoit schrieb:

The parents’ house is an end terraced house.

Are there not any windows on the wall facing the Red Cross?

But 500 m2 (about 5,380 sq ft) sounds like there is enough space for a single-family home.

Can you tell me the length and width of the plot? Is it oriented north-south?

What budget do you have available?

Would you share the conditions of the zoning plan / building permit regulations with us?

Hello icandoit,

I can gladly share a picture of the house as well as the neighboring plot. On the side where the extension would be built, there are no windows, only an access to my parents’ garden and a storage area for firewood. My parents would give up that space if we decide to build an extension.

I don’t have the exact measurements in mind, but my parents’ plot is roughly 12x45 m (39x148 ft), and the adjacent plot is about the same size. The main entrance of the house faces north, and the terrace/garden is towards the south.

We have been looking at existing properties in the range of €350,000, so building new has never really been an option for us. However, now that the plot is available, maybe it’s possible to realize a small new build within that budget. That’s what we are considering right now.

I’m attaching the zoning plan / building permit documents here—hopefully they are readable.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

The building structure offers quite a lot: two full stories.

The building boundaries are also quite generous.

So, it’s a matter of optimizing—350,000 is not a huge amount.

You are probably lucky enough to be able to build an end-terrace house. At least that’s where the building boundary is.

icandoit schrieb:

The building structure offers quite a bit. Two full stories.

The building limits are also quite generous.

So it’s about optimizing; $350k isn’t a huge amount.

You’re probably lucky to be able to build an end townhouse. At least that's where the building boundary is.

We understand that we can’t expect a palace for this amount, but maybe it’s still possible to build something decent. If not, then that’s just how it is, and the search will continue. But asking doesn’t cost anything—my question is mainly who I should contact about this and if anyone has recommendations for me.