ᐅ Experiences with Pre-designed Homes on Plots?

Hello everyone,

we have recently purchased a plot of land and plan to build a house on it in the next few years.
I have been thinking a lot about the floor plan and the size—just roughly speaking. We recently visited a show home from a local company specializing in solid construction, which is very affordable and also appealed to us.
I am quite certain that we will not go through an architect but will look for promotion houses from companies instead, mainly to save costs. Of course, compromises are necessary, but we don’t have any extraordinary requirements at the moment.
Therefore, I wanted to ask more generally if anyone has experience building promotion houses regardless of the company. Were there any unexpected costs, or did the predefined floor plans turn out to be less practical than expected?

There are, of course, always additional costs. The best approach is to carefully review and compare the individual building specifications or have an expert do this directly. Besides the necessary costs that arise, there are also extra expenses depending on your personal preferences. You need to decide where a standard finish is sufficient and where you want more expensive features. This can include basic elements (such as photovoltaic systems, ventilation systems, etc.) as well as typical selection items (wall and floor coverings, doors, sanitary fixtures, windows, electrical work, and so on).

Promotional homes usually list base prices that include finishes which, for most people nowadays, no longer meet typical standards of expectation. Also, keep in mind that with promotional homes, you generally cannot make changes, or if change options exist, the additional costs are often so high that making multiple changes usually ends up being not much cheaper than a custom-designed house with an architect. Therefore, it usually only makes sense to choose a promotional home if you accept it as it is.

How well thought-out a floor plan is remains very subjective. It depends on your wishes and ideas and whether these have been realized in the promotional home. You should also always consider that the floor plans are never tailored to your specific plot. In other words, all the aspects I would take into account when planning a custom home with an architect (sun path, neighboring buildings, views, optimal terrace position, etc.) logically are not considered in a promotional home. Likewise, a promotional home can never fully optimize the potential of the plot or the local building regulations.

The more complex the plot is (e.g., elevation changes, sloped terrain, neighboring buildings, etc.), the more worthwhile it is to work with an architect.

What does your plot look like?

Often, auction houses also restrict the paid additional options. You basically have to stick to the standard as much as possible.

What I usually find more difficult is whether such a typical house fits the existing plot.

Enrico02 schrieb:

There are always additional costs, of course. It’s best to review and compare the individual construction service descriptions or have an expert do this directly. Besides the necessary extra costs, there are also additional costs that depend on your personal preferences. You have to decide where a standard option is sufficient for you and where you want more expensive features. This can range from basic elements (photovoltaic system, ventilation system, etc.) to typical selection topics (wall and floor coverings, doors, sanitary fixtures, windows, electrical installations, etc.).

Promotional houses typically list starting prices that include features that most people nowadays no longer consider adequate for their standards.

Also, always keep in mind that with promotional houses, you usually cannot make any changes or the upgrade costs are so high that multiple changes often make it no cheaper than a custom-designed house with an architect. So it usually only makes sense if you accept the house as it is.

How well-thought-out a floor plan is always very subjective. It depends on your wishes and ideas and whether these are reflected in the promotional house. You should also always consider that the floor plans are never tailored to your plot. In other words, all the factors I would consider myself when planning an architect-designed house (sun path, neighboring buildings, views, optimal terrace placement, etc.) are naturally not taken into account with a promotional house. Likewise, a promotional house can never fully optimize the use of your plot or comply perfectly with the zoning plan.

The more complex the plot is (topography, slope, neighboring buildings, etc.), the more worthwhile it is to hire an architect.

What is your plot like?

Thanks for the reply,

You’re right, the house has to fit the plot. I’ll upload a picture. It’s the right-hand plot; the path shown in front is a dirt track with fields behind it, and the main road is at the bottom. The top is northeast. The plot is flat but about 2 meters (6.5 feet) above the road level.

So the main entrance of the house would be rather on the south side and the terrace on the north, or is that the plan? In my opinion, it definitely doesn’t look like a standard layout. I would consult an architect.

The far more important question is whether you are actually allowed to build the model home according to the zoning plan. If you are not permitted to do so, you will face serious problems.