Hello everyone,
First of all: I’m not sure if there is already a thread like this, but nevertheless, I would find it very interesting to gather opinions, ideas, tips, tricks, etc., shortly before or during the construction phase, in order to avoid possible “sources of errors” that some homeowners made out of lack of knowledge.
These should mostly be “small details” that can be relatively easily changed or adjusted and don’t disrupt the entire plan.
We are not talking about:
--> I wouldn’t build a basement anymore
--> I would definitely get a garage in the future
But rather things like:
--> Make sure to install a conduit for the photovoltaic system
--> Wire your front door electrically to allow for technical upgrades later on
--> Install enough power outlets at certain spots to...
--> Have a water connection installed for an additional shower to create more options later
They can really be small things that bothered you afterward, that you would have done differently, but no longer have the chance to change, or that caused additional costs later on.
Topics related to kitchen, bathroom, or similar are also welcome.
We want to think of as many things as possible (which is of course nearly impossible and always depends on individual circumstances) — but surely some tips could still be helpful.
Looking forward to your input 🙂
First of all: I’m not sure if there is already a thread like this, but nevertheless, I would find it very interesting to gather opinions, ideas, tips, tricks, etc., shortly before or during the construction phase, in order to avoid possible “sources of errors” that some homeowners made out of lack of knowledge.
These should mostly be “small details” that can be relatively easily changed or adjusted and don’t disrupt the entire plan.
We are not talking about:
--> I wouldn’t build a basement anymore
--> I would definitely get a garage in the future
But rather things like:
--> Make sure to install a conduit for the photovoltaic system
--> Wire your front door electrically to allow for technical upgrades later on
--> Install enough power outlets at certain spots to...
--> Have a water connection installed for an additional shower to create more options later
They can really be small things that bothered you afterward, that you would have done differently, but no longer have the chance to change, or that caused additional costs later on.
Topics related to kitchen, bathroom, or similar are also welcome.
We want to think of as many things as possible (which is of course nearly impossible and always depends on individual circumstances) — but surely some tips could still be helpful.
Looking forward to your input 🙂
S
saralina8719 Mar 2021 14:55exto1791 schrieb:
I mean: if everything is working well in the marriage, with the children, the building site, and the family around, why should I change? That’s not entirely clear to me… Nowadays, everyone talks about change—don’t stand still… As a result, we see more and more divorces, a lack of direction in life, a careless lifestyle, constantly changing jobs, and increasing dissatisfaction because people still haven’t found their place in life… There are also things in life that you can’t influence.
For example, family planning, illness, or winning the lottery—who knows.
We are both civil servants and value stability, but sometimes life takes a different turn than you expect. Even if you don’t want it, a little flexibility never hurts. 🙂
saralina87 schrieb:
There are things in life that happen which you can't control.
Family planning, for example. Or illnesses. Or winning the lottery, who knows.
We are both civil servants and value stability, but life sometimes takes a different path than expected. Even if you don’t want it, a bit of flexibility never hurts. 🙂 Exactly – you’re completely right, I agree!
However, these are all things I don’t want by choice, but rather strokes of fate or insufficient planning, etc. – anything can happen!
Nevertheless, I want to plan my house to last as well as possible and not have to say: "We planned everything properly – but it could definitely have been done better if we had dealt more thoroughly with certain aspects." That’s really what matters to me 🙂 In other words: getting the best possible result, since we definitely see this house as our long-term home and not as a property to be flipped later (which is certainly the case for many other builders, and that’s perfectly fine – I understand that a different level of planning and effort applies in those situations).
S
saralina8719 Mar 2021 15:07exto1791 schrieb:
Exactly – you’re absolutely right, I feel the same!
However, these are all things I don’t want out of personal preference, but rather unexpected setbacks or insufficient planning and so on – anything can happen!
Nevertheless, I want to plan my house as well as possible for the LONG TERM and not have to say: "We planned everything properly – but it could definitely have been done better if we had dealt more intensively with certain matters." That’s really what it’s about for me 🙂 In other words: getting the best possible result, since we definitely see this house as our permanent home for the future, not as a property to be sold at some point (which is certainly the case for many other builders, and that’s totally fine – I then understand a “different” level of planning intensity/effort). You can’t plan a house to fit perfectly for the next fifty years. Simply put, you don’t have a crystal ball. That’s what I think 11ant is trying to say.
exto1791 schrieb:
Maybe we are overthinking things because we want everything to be "perfect." I’m not sure if this has already been mentioned, but I believe @11ant was referring to the contractor’s bench in this context....
Believing—or rather fixating on—the idea that everything must go perfectly and that planning every tiny detail will guarantee perfection is, in my view, one of the biggest mistakes you can make. At least if you want to get through the construction process with your sanity intact.
Those who say everything was perfect, in my opinion, simply have the talent to not see small issues as major problems. There is always something that doesn’t fit quite right. I already anticipated some issues during the shell phase... and I am a complete construction layperson. Still, there were certain processes where I thought, “This won’t work” or “This will cause trouble,” etc. If I had rushed to point out every one of these things and said, “Hey, now look what kind of mess you made here,” we still wouldn’t be finished today. And things wouldn’t be any better for it.
Sometimes you just have to accept how things turn out... or have nerves of steel.
My perspective as someone over 60. Two houses. The first house was a terraced house (row house) that we bought as it was, directly from the developer; it was almost finished when we purchased it. It was an economical decision. We could afford it, and for four people—our children were still quite young—it was well laid out and conveniently located near the school, market, harbor, and supermarkets. So, take it as it is or leave it. All in all, it wasn’t bad at all. Just those annoying stairs. Terraced houses usually have a small footprint but go upwards. When the children grow up... and if we can afford it... then a bungalow. All on one level. Plus a proper garden. Not just a tiny strip of land.
In 2017, the time had come: a suitable plot of land, a market that was doing well economically but not yet overheated, still affordable prices, and a good selling price for the terraced house. Again, economics played a role. At nearly 60 back then, you don’t take on large debts anymore. The money we had had to be enough, or almost enough; a little credit was acceptable. So, once again, we made compromises here and there, but not in terms of function and basic principles.
I think most people build twice because the stage of life as a couple requires a different house than before when there were four of you.
Karsten
In 2017, the time had come: a suitable plot of land, a market that was doing well economically but not yet overheated, still affordable prices, and a good selling price for the terraced house. Again, economics played a role. At nearly 60 back then, you don’t take on large debts anymore. The money we had had to be enough, or almost enough; a little credit was acceptable. So, once again, we made compromises here and there, but not in terms of function and basic principles.
I think most people build twice because the stage of life as a couple requires a different house than before when there were four of you.
Karsten
exto1791 schrieb:
@11ant - it really depends a lot on personal preferences and attitudes.
We are building in our hometown (at least according to my wife)
[...] I mean: if everything is working well in the marriage, with the kids, the building location, and the family around, why should I change? I live in my birthplace, with my last three apartments within walking distance, and I have several friends who are still happily married to their dance partners well past the age of 50. The last time I moved was ten years ago – back then, I managed to significantly improve my living conditions in terms of the intellectual level of my landlords.
I don’t tell anyone: “throw away hope in advance that you’ll like your new house for a long time,” but I do recommend to everyone: “don’t count on it” and (as conservative as I am myself): “don’t fear the opportunities that changes bring.” Usually, even a beautiful house is not worth setting all the stair lifts in motion and clinging to it desperately until the grave. Planning to place my bed in the current study thirty years from now already feels too close to picking out a tombstone. But even my grandfather often praised the “old Fritz” for his attitude that everyone should be happy in their own way.
saralina87 schrieb:
You can’t plan a house to perfectly suit your needs for the next fifty years. Simply put, you don’t have a crystal ball. That’s what 11ant is trying to say, I think. Exactly. There is always a residual risk, and I don’t encourage anyone to plan carelessly on purpose. But I like to point out that the family homes of today’s builders are not inherently worse just because they were planned in earlier times with less prenatal diagnostic insight.
face26 schrieb:
If I had run to each of these things and said, “Okay, now go check what kind of lumbar pain you caused,” we still wouldn’t be finished today. And it wouldn’t be much better.
Some things you have to take as they come… or you need nerves of steel. Yes – that’s exactly what I meant: when things get going, you should have a large thermos of valerian tea ready, so you don’t drive the builders crazy as a hyperactive micromanager. Most of them know what they’re doing – including the screed layers, some of whom are more lacking recognition of their foreign qualifications than actual training. And last but not least: decisions are not death sentences – painters make a living knowing that even “anthracite” will someday go out of style :-)
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/