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Reinhard8017 Jul 2013 16:15Hello dear forum,
we are about to build a house (approximately 103 sqm (1108 sq ft)) and the standard contract includes radiators for heating. Recently, we visited the heating company responsible and selected a heating system for the house.
During the discussion, the consultant suggested that underfloor heating would be a better option instead of radiators since underfloor heating is not only more energy-efficient in operation but also similarly priced to simple radiators in terms of initial cost.
We informed our builder about this and requested an offer for underfloor heating, receiving the following response:
A precise cost estimate results in additional expenses of €6,125.00 for your building project. This consists roughly of around €3,500.00 more for underfloor heating compared to radiator heating (€3,000 vs. €6,500).
Each of the two heating circuit manifolds costs €450. The supply pipes are €600. The electrician charges €1,000 for the 10 room thermostats (including cables and labor). Additionally, a reinforced screed is needed, which costs €400. So underfloor heating is significantly more expensive.
The heating consultant says that more than €6,000 in extra costs for underfloor heating is "exaggerated," while the builder insists that the consultant does not fully understand the actual additional costs.
We are now quite confused. The advantages of underfloor heating are clear to us, but extra costs of more than €6,000 are not feasible for us. Is underfloor heating really that much more expensive than a conventional radiator system?
Since we have little knowledge in this area, we would be very grateful for some experience-based insights and expert opinions.
we are about to build a house (approximately 103 sqm (1108 sq ft)) and the standard contract includes radiators for heating. Recently, we visited the heating company responsible and selected a heating system for the house.
During the discussion, the consultant suggested that underfloor heating would be a better option instead of radiators since underfloor heating is not only more energy-efficient in operation but also similarly priced to simple radiators in terms of initial cost.
We informed our builder about this and requested an offer for underfloor heating, receiving the following response:
A precise cost estimate results in additional expenses of €6,125.00 for your building project. This consists roughly of around €3,500.00 more for underfloor heating compared to radiator heating (€3,000 vs. €6,500).
Each of the two heating circuit manifolds costs €450. The supply pipes are €600. The electrician charges €1,000 for the 10 room thermostats (including cables and labor). Additionally, a reinforced screed is needed, which costs €400. So underfloor heating is significantly more expensive.
The heating consultant says that more than €6,000 in extra costs for underfloor heating is "exaggerated," while the builder insists that the consultant does not fully understand the actual additional costs.
We are now quite confused. The advantages of underfloor heating are clear to us, but extra costs of more than €6,000 are not feasible for us. Is underfloor heating really that much more expensive than a conventional radiator system?
Since we have little knowledge in this area, we would be very grateful for some experience-based insights and expert opinions.
B
Bauexperte17 Jul 2013 16:46Hello,
I can’t sugarcoat it, so I’ll be brief and clear.
With such providers, the minimum standard is used as the basis (which in itself is nothing improper), and when it comes to upgrades, the balance is adjusted accordingly, which can be quite sobering for some homeowners. This confirms what is frequently read here: a part of a house always costs the price “X” — measured by the standard!
You have hardly any alternatives since you obviously signed the construction contract. The motto is take it or leave it.
Regards, Bauexperte
I can’t sugarcoat it, so I’ll be brief and clear.
Reinhard80 schrieb:He is right!
The heating consultant says that more than 6000€ additional cost for underfloor heating is "exaggerated"
Reinhard80 schrieb:Without knowing where and with whom you plan to build, I am almost certain that you jumped at a seemingly cheap offer. This is also supported by the fact that the “alleged” additional costs exceed your budget. I hope you have reserved some contingency funds in your budget for extras. Because if my assumption is correct, you will be presented with a hefty bill every time you want to upgrade.
The builder sticks to his position and says that the heating consultant does not understand the actual additional costs
With such providers, the minimum standard is used as the basis (which in itself is nothing improper), and when it comes to upgrades, the balance is adjusted accordingly, which can be quite sobering for some homeowners. This confirms what is frequently read here: a part of a house always costs the price “X” — measured by the standard!
You have hardly any alternatives since you obviously signed the construction contract. The motto is take it or leave it.
Regards, Bauexperte
Der Da schrieb:
However, don’t expect your contractor to refund what you have actually paid. I have to agree with Der Da on that. Usually, you only get reimbursed for the cost of materials, not for labor.
For example, if we had removed our foundation slab, we would have been credited about 7,500 euros, but foundation slabs of that size typically cost between 10,000 and 15,000 euros.
6000 is quite a lot! We are paying about 4000 extra for 138 sqm (1,486 sq ft).
But we knew right from the start that we wanted underfloor heating (which we now have) and had the price quoted upfront (like many other things!).
If it’s too expensive for you, you should reconsider… Underfloor heating wasn’t important to you before, ...
As the building expert already said, an affordable house comes with just the standard features… either that’s enough for you, or you have factored in the upgrades and their costs, or have a budget buffer for them.
Every trade will try to suggest a more expensive alternative.
But we knew right from the start that we wanted underfloor heating (which we now have) and had the price quoted upfront (like many other things!).
If it’s too expensive for you, you should reconsider… Underfloor heating wasn’t important to you before, ...
As the building expert already said, an affordable house comes with just the standard features… either that’s enough for you, or you have factored in the upgrades and their costs, or have a budget buffer for them.
Every trade will try to suggest a more expensive alternative.
R
Reinhard8018 Jul 2013 19:59Thank you for your assessment.
Now I have one question: Assuming we bite the bullet and accept the additional cost of 6000€ (approximately $6,500), would this be economically reasonable? In other words: is the energy savings from underfloor heating in a two-person household significant enough to recover the 6000€ over 10–20 years through lower heating costs?
Now I have one question: Assuming we bite the bullet and accept the additional cost of 6000€ (approximately $6,500), would this be economically reasonable? In other words: is the energy savings from underfloor heating in a two-person household significant enough to recover the 6000€ over 10–20 years through lower heating costs?
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