ᐅ Experiences with Choosing a Prefabricated House Provider?
Created on: 23 Aug 2022 18:51
H
Hitokiri-1978
Hello everyone,
After all this time, the uncomfortable (one of many) moment is approaching when we have to decide which provider we ultimately want to work with. Here are a few key details:
New development area, construction according to the zoning plan:
Semi-detached house with a mono-pitched roof, north-facing, 230 sqm (2,475 sq ft) plot, basement, ground floor, first floor, attic, roof pitch 10-12°, air-to-water heat pump is fixed, ventilation system (we’re still unsure if this is really necessary), about 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft) of living space. It was important to us to have a half-landing staircase; otherwise, we have no special requests, maybe just a floor-level shower in the master bathroom, but that’s it. We have to build an unnecessarily large balcony, 7 x 2.5 m (23 x 8 ft).
We are very concerned that due to the south-facing garden terrace, which has no shading at all, the house will become unbearably hot in summer. We researched this and found that, regarding heat protection, mineral wool insulation performs worst. The commonly used polystyrene insulation is better but still not really good. The best option with a reasonable price would be wood fiber insulation. The roof should also be insulated with it if possible. Yes, we plan to retrofit shading with awnings on the windows, but the question about the wall construction remains.
After several selection rounds and numerous inquiries, only four providers remain who could meet all our requirements and the zoning plan specifications. These are Haas and Fischer Haus (both with 40 cm (15.7 inches) and 36 cm (14.2 inches) thick exterior walls with polystyrene, wood fiber insulation is not offered), as well as Lehner and Keitel-Haus (both with wood fiber insulation in the exterior walls, 25 cm (9.8 inches) and 34 cm (13.4 inches) thick).
Apart from that, all four can do roughly the same. (Our floor plan, a certain amount of owner work, electric roller shutters, roof pitch 10-12°, and roofing with clay/concrete tiles, construction period.) If we can even compare the final prices, there is a difference of about 25,000 euros. We want to carry out the excavation and basement work together with our neighbors if possible. They will most likely build with Haas, which is why Keitel-Haus also came into our considerations.
Pros/Cons Haas:
+ Neighbors building with them, synergies, about 17,000 euros in savings/discounts
+ Appears large and reliable, but not too big like pure investment companies
- Very thick walls (loss of living space)
- No wood fiber insulation
- Most expensive offer of the four
Fischer:
+ Very structured and clear offer
+ Company size similar to Haas
- No wood fiber insulation
Lehner:
+ Wood fiber insulation
+ Always responded immediately without restrictions to our requests and questions
- Allegedly only one afternoon for selections, which seems very short to us
- Somewhat confusing offer with unclear options
Keitel-Haus:
+ Wood fiber insulation
+ 34 cm (13.4 inches) thick walls for heat and cold protection
+ Cheapest provider
- No preliminary consultation like with the other approximately 12 providers before; they only became relevant through the neighbors
- Feels like a small outfit; even the selection appointment looks squeezed into a private apartment
So... how should we decide? The prices are binding for only a few more days, or until the end of August, then two have already threatened, uh, announced price increases 😉
After all this time, the uncomfortable (one of many) moment is approaching when we have to decide which provider we ultimately want to work with. Here are a few key details:
New development area, construction according to the zoning plan:
Semi-detached house with a mono-pitched roof, north-facing, 230 sqm (2,475 sq ft) plot, basement, ground floor, first floor, attic, roof pitch 10-12°, air-to-water heat pump is fixed, ventilation system (we’re still unsure if this is really necessary), about 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft) of living space. It was important to us to have a half-landing staircase; otherwise, we have no special requests, maybe just a floor-level shower in the master bathroom, but that’s it. We have to build an unnecessarily large balcony, 7 x 2.5 m (23 x 8 ft).
We are very concerned that due to the south-facing garden terrace, which has no shading at all, the house will become unbearably hot in summer. We researched this and found that, regarding heat protection, mineral wool insulation performs worst. The commonly used polystyrene insulation is better but still not really good. The best option with a reasonable price would be wood fiber insulation. The roof should also be insulated with it if possible. Yes, we plan to retrofit shading with awnings on the windows, but the question about the wall construction remains.
After several selection rounds and numerous inquiries, only four providers remain who could meet all our requirements and the zoning plan specifications. These are Haas and Fischer Haus (both with 40 cm (15.7 inches) and 36 cm (14.2 inches) thick exterior walls with polystyrene, wood fiber insulation is not offered), as well as Lehner and Keitel-Haus (both with wood fiber insulation in the exterior walls, 25 cm (9.8 inches) and 34 cm (13.4 inches) thick).
Apart from that, all four can do roughly the same. (Our floor plan, a certain amount of owner work, electric roller shutters, roof pitch 10-12°, and roofing with clay/concrete tiles, construction period.) If we can even compare the final prices, there is a difference of about 25,000 euros. We want to carry out the excavation and basement work together with our neighbors if possible. They will most likely build with Haas, which is why Keitel-Haus also came into our considerations.
Pros/Cons Haas:
+ Neighbors building with them, synergies, about 17,000 euros in savings/discounts
+ Appears large and reliable, but not too big like pure investment companies
- Very thick walls (loss of living space)
- No wood fiber insulation
- Most expensive offer of the four
Fischer:
+ Very structured and clear offer
+ Company size similar to Haas
- No wood fiber insulation
Lehner:
+ Wood fiber insulation
+ Always responded immediately without restrictions to our requests and questions
- Allegedly only one afternoon for selections, which seems very short to us
- Somewhat confusing offer with unclear options
Keitel-Haus:
+ Wood fiber insulation
+ 34 cm (13.4 inches) thick walls for heat and cold protection
+ Cheapest provider
- No preliminary consultation like with the other approximately 12 providers before; they only became relevant through the neighbors
- Feels like a small outfit; even the selection appointment looks squeezed into a private apartment
So... how should we decide? The prices are binding for only a few more days, or until the end of August, then two have already threatened, uh, announced price increases 😉
M
motorradsilke26 Aug 2022 14:33WilderSueden schrieb:
Home office, doing homework, cooking...
Additionally, any heat that builds up inside the house needs to be released again later. During several hot days in a row with correspondingly warm nights, this only works partly, and it keeps getting warmer. Then you also won’t be able to keep the bedrooms cool. This doesn’t mean everyone necessarily has to install air conditioning, but I wouldn’t underestimate the heat. That doesn’t do anyone any favors. You can also do home office and homework outside quite well.
But maybe it really depends on the area where you live. Here, unfortunately, there are no warm nights—or this year, only 2 nights with temperatures over 20°C (68°F).
And in the end, it’s subjective as well.
No, sorry, I need my two large monitors for working from home, a proper keyboard, and above all, a suitable combination of desk and swivel chair with correct height proportions relative to each other. Otherwise, working from home ends up causing back and neck pain, and without the two monitors, it’s often frustrating.
M
motorradsilke26 Aug 2022 15:36kbt09 schrieb:
No, sorry, I need my two large monitors for working from home, a proper keyboard, and above all a good combination of desk and swivel chair with correct height proportions between them. Otherwise, working from home ends with back and neck pain, and without the two monitors it’s often frustrating. And my husband works outside with his laptop.
Everyone has to decide for themselves what their life looks like and what fits best. I can only offer food for thought here.
But I believe the most important factor is the location of the home.
S
SaniererNRW12326 Aug 2022 16:38motorradsilke schrieb:
I believe the most important aspect is the place of residence.Those who do not have to work "properly" from home can choose their location based on the residence and the terrace.Those who work intensively at a computer definitely need a proper home office with the right equipment.
motorradsilke schrieb:
You can also do home office work and homework well outdoors.
But maybe it really depends on the neighborhood. Unfortunately, here there are no warm nights, or this year only exactly 2 nights over 20°C (68°F).
And then that’s also subjective. Sorry, but that’s too general...
Working outside is not ergonomically feasible at all.
But at least now I understand where a lot of people’s prejudices against home office come from...
Here’s a photo of my workspace (not tidied). No “I just sit on the terrace” here, not to mention the chair and the height-adjustable desk...
M
motorradsilke26 Aug 2022 16:48SaniererNRW123 schrieb:
Those who don’t need to work “properly” from home can choose their place of residence and terrace accordingly.
Those who work intensively at a computer definitely need a proper office with the right equipment. This has nothing to do with working “properly.” Some people need the right equipment, others slouch in their office chair and don’t mind. Not every job requires two large monitors, and you can design an ergonomic seating area on the terrace as well. Most office chairs also have wheels.
When I said that the place of residence is decisive, I meant it more in terms of the need for shading. Here, nights are mostly cool and hot days are less common; in other regions it’s apparently different.
I just don’t agree with the statement that shading is absolutely necessary. Everyone is different—some like warmth, others don’t. And not everyone works from home (probably very few do).
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