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 16:51SoL schrieb:
Sorry, but that’s too general...
Working outside is ergonomically not feasible at all.
But at least I now understand where many people’s prejudices against working from home come from...
Attached is my workspace (untidy). There’s no such thing as “I sit on the terrace,” not to mention the chair and the height-adjustable desk... But that is also too general. Not every home office requires 2 or 3 monitors. Many employees are provided with nothing more than a laptop by their employer. That’s the case for my husband and my friend as well. She, for example, has to read and evaluate a lot of files and only does a few tasks on the laptop. Reading files works perfectly fine outside. So do the few things that need to be done on the laptop.
Well... reading files on paper, maybe. But reading files for 8 hours at a computer workstation—I consider that an unergonomic sitting posture to be incorrect. Also, working at a screen directly in the sun is rather impractical. You need a shaded spot, and so on.
I find it hardly practical to set up fully functional computer workstations using only laptops. I allow myself to make this judgment after 40 years of screen work without ever suffering from back or neck pain, or tendonitis in my hands, etc. In my opinion, proper equipment (18 years of home office experience) in terms of PC/laptop and furniture is responsible for that.
I find it hardly practical to set up fully functional computer workstations using only laptops. I allow myself to make this judgment after 40 years of screen work without ever suffering from back or neck pain, or tendonitis in my hands, etc. In my opinion, proper equipment (18 years of home office experience) in terms of PC/laptop and furniture is responsible for that.
M
motorradsilke26 Aug 2022 17:15SoL schrieb:
It's not about the monitors, but about ergonomic working.
For 8 hours a day, you need a good desk and a good chair. Patio furniture is not designed for that.However, you can use the office chair at the dining table if it is the same height as the desk.
And as I said, not everyone only works at the computer.
motorradsilke schrieb:
But you can put the office chair at the dining table"Home office" at the dining table, no thanks! For me, this requires a height-adjustable desk, a good office chair, proper lighting, reliable technical equipment, and a separate room away from the living area. Nothing is more distracting than hearing the neighbor’s dog barking, children shouting, and traffic noise in the background during video calls. Of course, there are tasks you can do while lying on the terrace, but most will need a proper workspace.
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