Hello,
I am currently planning a new build (my first), which is intended to have 2-3 residential units and will likely aim for an energy efficiency rating of 40+. Essentially, it could be called a multi-generational house. Initially, only 2 units will be developed (one on the ground floor and one on the upper floor), but in the future, a third unit is planned for the attic. I would like to leave the attic unit as a shell at first, but have all the connections, wiring, and so on installed. The goal is to avoid any further construction work later so that it can be used as a separate unit.
As far as I know, a separate residential unit requires the following conditions:
- Its own lockable entrance
- Its own electricity meter
- One kitchen connection each
- One bathroom connection each (toilet and shower)
I hope I haven’t missed anything here. If so, please let me know.
Now to my question: To plan a bit better, I would like to get an idea of how much an additional residential unit costs in terms of installing connections for an extra kitchen and an additional bathroom, as well as setting up a separate electrical circuit with its own electricity meter in the utility room. In other words, the extra costs you should budget for when turning a standard single-family house into a house with 2 or 3 units.
For now, I am only interested in the cost of the connections—that is, the potential for an additional unit—not the cost of the kitchen or bathroom fixtures themselves.
I hope you can help. Many thanks in advance for any comments and explanations!
I am currently planning a new build (my first), which is intended to have 2-3 residential units and will likely aim for an energy efficiency rating of 40+. Essentially, it could be called a multi-generational house. Initially, only 2 units will be developed (one on the ground floor and one on the upper floor), but in the future, a third unit is planned for the attic. I would like to leave the attic unit as a shell at first, but have all the connections, wiring, and so on installed. The goal is to avoid any further construction work later so that it can be used as a separate unit.
As far as I know, a separate residential unit requires the following conditions:
- Its own lockable entrance
- Its own electricity meter
- One kitchen connection each
- One bathroom connection each (toilet and shower)
I hope I haven’t missed anything here. If so, please let me know.
Now to my question: To plan a bit better, I would like to get an idea of how much an additional residential unit costs in terms of installing connections for an extra kitchen and an additional bathroom, as well as setting up a separate electrical circuit with its own electricity meter in the utility room. In other words, the extra costs you should budget for when turning a standard single-family house into a house with 2 or 3 units.
For now, I am only interested in the cost of the connections—that is, the potential for an additional unit—not the cost of the kitchen or bathroom fixtures themselves.
I hope you can help. Many thanks in advance for any comments and explanations!
A residential unit is simply a living space that can be occupied. The term itself makes that clear. You don’t have to provide a kitchen area for every tenant, but the utility connections must be available—this also applies to other apartments.
A separate dwelling unit is subject to requirements that do not need to be listed separately, as the general standards for habitable rooms apply, including fire protection, a second escape route, heating, and so on.
An attic usually does not meet these requirements.
A separate apartment does not require an individual electricity meter. In most residential areas, a maximum of two residential units can be built within a “single-family house” (detached house).
From three units onwards, the regulations for multi-family buildings apply, including bicycle parking, parking space (as already mentioned), laundry drying areas, and so forth.
Costs: don’t expect anything for free!
For detailed pricing, you need to consult your builder or architect.
Exactly: you won’t get any repayment grants.
A separate dwelling unit is subject to requirements that do not need to be listed separately, as the general standards for habitable rooms apply, including fire protection, a second escape route, heating, and so on.
An attic usually does not meet these requirements.
A separate apartment does not require an individual electricity meter. In most residential areas, a maximum of two residential units can be built within a “single-family house” (detached house).
From three units onwards, the regulations for multi-family buildings apply, including bicycle parking, parking space (as already mentioned), laundry drying areas, and so forth.
Costs: don’t expect anything for free!
For detailed pricing, you need to consult your builder or architect.
Exactly: you won’t get any repayment grants.
ypg schrieb:
A separate dwelling unit is subject to requirements that do not need to be listed separately, as these requirements apply to habitable rooms as well, including fire protection, a second means of escape, heating, etc.
An attic usually does not meet these requirements. In what way does an attic not meet these requirements, but an upper floor does?
For example, I lived for a long time in a multi-family building with a total of 8 units on 4 floors. The only escape route was the staircase and the front door on the ground floor. This seemed to be allowed without any issues.
How would this differ (regarding escape routes/fire protection) from a new building with 3 residential units (one on each floor), where there is a central staircase accessible from all three units? The exit is then also on the ground floor.
ypg schrieb:
A separate electricity meter is not required for an accessory apartment. In most residential areas, a maximum of 2 dwelling units can be built within a “single-family house.” This was the point of my earlier question: is there a difference between an accessory apartment and a dwelling unit? For example, would it be possible to build a house with 1 dwelling unit and 2 accessory apartments, whereas 3 dwelling units often cause issues?
Or, put differently: is every accessory apartment automatically also a dwelling unit (and subject to the same requirements)? Or is an accessory apartment more like a simplified dwelling unit, with fewer regulations to comply with?
I find it odd that the KFW (as far as I understand) subsidizes an accessory apartment just like a separate dwelling unit.
A residential unit is a dwelling where one household can live. This includes a single-family house, an apartment, a secondary suite, and so on.
Why? Subsidies are granted for newly created living space, which is why the requirement for building completion applies!
1 residential unit + 2 secondary suites = 3 residential units
Although I don’t know what the house looks like, I assume your apartment was not in the attic, and if it was, then it probably had dormers or at least one window that served as a second escape route. Many vertical windows can be used as a second escape route; a skylight cannot.
Felix85 schrieb:
I would find it strange then,
Why? Subsidies are granted for newly created living space, which is why the requirement for building completion applies!
Felix85 schrieb:
So, for example, would it be possible to build a house with 1 residential unit and 2 secondary suites, while 3 residential units often cause problems?
1 residential unit + 2 secondary suites = 3 residential units
Felix85 schrieb:
The only escape route was the stairwell
Although I don’t know what the house looks like, I assume your apartment was not in the attic, and if it was, then it probably had dormers or at least one window that served as a second escape route. Many vertical windows can be used as a second escape route; a skylight cannot.
Many questions – in short: don’t expect “discounts” or that prices or other expenses will decrease per unit; the third residential unit will cost just as much per square meter or cubic meter as the first one. This applies down to details like parking spaces, and even three apartments connected to the same downpipe do not result in efficiency gains. Escape routes are only secured through self-rescue; alternatively or additionally, external rescue must be possible (to put it simply, a firefighter with breathing apparatus must be able to fit through a window). None of this even considers whether the units are family apartments or singles.
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ypg schrieb:
1 dwelling unit + 2 granny flats = 3 dwelling units Alright, so basically there is no distinction here. Each granny flat is also considered a full dwelling unit and must meet the same requirements.
It makes sense, then, that the KfW funds them in the same way.
ypg schrieb:
Even though I don't know what the house looks like, I assume your apartment wasn’t in the attic; but if it was, then with dormers or at least one window serving as a second emergency exit. Many standard windows count as a second escape route; a roof window does not. Okay, that’s what you meant. I just checked—sloped roof windows do count (although they have to meet certain requirements). So, that shouldn’t be an issue.
tomtom79 schrieb:
For parking spaces, it’s usually 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit. Good point! I’ll need to check locally on that. I just read that requirements vary a lot and some communities don’t even have minimum numbers for parking spaces.
11ant schrieb:
Many questions—long story short: don’t expect “bulk discounts” or for any prices or other costs to decrease per unit; the third dwelling unit will cost just as much per square or cubic meter as the first. This applies down to details like parking spaces, and even three apartments connected to the same rainwater downpipe don’t provide cost savings. I didn’t expect any “volume discounts.” I was more thinking along the lines of what I can do during planning to design multiple units as cost-efficiently as possible. For example, stacking bathrooms and kitchens on top of each other on all three floors—does that help? Or is that completely irrelevant regarding construction costs?
Are there other tips to keep in mind for 2-3 dwelling units to save money?
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