Hello everyone,
I’m new to this forum and have a question about our building project. We have the opportunity to purchase a discounted building plot (approx. 350m2 (3750 sq ft)) for a semi-detached house in the outskirts of Munich. The contract for this is already available to us.
The plot for the other half of the house was sold four months ago. Last week, I was able to get in touch with our future building partners, who already have approval for the following semi-detached house:
- Model Danwood 116w
- Gable roof
- No basement
- 2 full floors, no option for attic space
- Dimensions 10.2 x 7 m (33.5 x 23 ft)
- Wall height 6.2 m (20.3 ft)
- Roof pitch 25°
- Total living area 116 m2 (1248 sq ft)
And here lies the catch: we are a family with soon two children and a need for a large home office. Therefore, 116m2 (1248 sq ft) is definitely too little space for us. After consulting with the local building authority, it would be possible to keep the length of 10.2m (33.5 ft) that borders the neighbor but build our half wider (up to 9 m (29.5 ft)). Also, building without a basement is not an option for us. Then we would have:
- Basement
- Ground floor plus attic with external dimensions 10.2 x 9 m (33.5 x 29.5 ft)
So, I think we could realize about 135–140 m2 (1453–1507 sq ft) of living space.
Now my question to the forum: would you build such an asymmetrical semi-detached house?
Of course, it’s frustrating to have to adapt to the shallow roof pitch and limited length. At the same time, it might also be nice to have two relatively spacious floors. There would of course be the option to decline the plot altogether – but given its location and price, that is not our preferred choice.
Maybe someone has experience or tips for a rather unconventional semi-detached house! We appreciate any feedback.
I’m new to this forum and have a question about our building project. We have the opportunity to purchase a discounted building plot (approx. 350m2 (3750 sq ft)) for a semi-detached house in the outskirts of Munich. The contract for this is already available to us.
The plot for the other half of the house was sold four months ago. Last week, I was able to get in touch with our future building partners, who already have approval for the following semi-detached house:
- Model Danwood 116w
- Gable roof
- No basement
- 2 full floors, no option for attic space
- Dimensions 10.2 x 7 m (33.5 x 23 ft)
- Wall height 6.2 m (20.3 ft)
- Roof pitch 25°
- Total living area 116 m2 (1248 sq ft)
And here lies the catch: we are a family with soon two children and a need for a large home office. Therefore, 116m2 (1248 sq ft) is definitely too little space for us. After consulting with the local building authority, it would be possible to keep the length of 10.2m (33.5 ft) that borders the neighbor but build our half wider (up to 9 m (29.5 ft)). Also, building without a basement is not an option for us. Then we would have:
- Basement
- Ground floor plus attic with external dimensions 10.2 x 9 m (33.5 x 29.5 ft)
So, I think we could realize about 135–140 m2 (1453–1507 sq ft) of living space.
Now my question to the forum: would you build such an asymmetrical semi-detached house?
Of course, it’s frustrating to have to adapt to the shallow roof pitch and limited length. At the same time, it might also be nice to have two relatively spacious floors. There would of course be the option to decline the plot altogether – but given its location and price, that is not our preferred choice.
Maybe someone has experience or tips for a rather unconventional semi-detached house! We appreciate any feedback.
F
Fraumaunz8 Apr 2025 22:54Thanks again for the responses. The development plan requires gable roofs and uniform profiles, so that’s already taken care of.
The other party has now suggested building a retaining wall during the excavation for the foundation slab to save the costs of later support. However, we would have to cover the costs for the retaining wall.
Ideally, we would try to convince both parties to be smart and just build a basement as well, but the contract for the excavation work is probably already signed.
The other party has now suggested building a retaining wall during the excavation for the foundation slab to save the costs of later support. However, we would have to cover the costs for the retaining wall.
Ideally, we would try to convince both parties to be smart and just build a basement as well, but the contract for the excavation work is probably already signed.
Fraumaunz schrieb:
We would prefer to convince the two of them to be smart and simply build with a basement as well, Let’s keep things realistic: that wouldn’t be “smart” from their perspective, only “your smart.” “Their smart” is obviously different. Building with a basement would only be “objectively smart” if the slope of the land required it.
Fraumaunz schrieb:
The other party has now suggested that during the excavation work for the foundation slab, a retaining wall could already be built to save the costs of later support. However, we would have to cover the costs for the retaining wall. You both seem to have a naive understanding of structural engineering. To keep it short: it is best for you to also build without a basement (assuming the plot “votes no basement” according to the 11ant basement rule).
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Fraumaunz schrieb:
The zoning plan requires gable roofs and consistent roof profiles. So that part is already in order. Fraumaunz schrieb:
Ideally, we would try to convince the two to be sensible and simply build with a basement as well, I would rather try to increase the roof pitch if possible. Financially, that doesn’t make as much difference as adding a basement. If needed, I would offer to share the additional costs.
F
Fraumaunz9 Apr 2025 09:18The bit about persuading was, of course, a joke. Still, it would be nice if, in a joint construction project, not only one party had to make compromises.
The basement is non-negotiable for us.
Would a partial basement maybe be possible, leaving some distance from the property line? I’m not sure how much distance would be needed here, 1-2 meters (3-6 feet)? Would that make it easier? Then the basement wouldn’t be adjacent to the neighbor’s property but would be entirely beneath our house.
The basement is non-negotiable for us.
Would a partial basement maybe be possible, leaving some distance from the property line? I’m not sure how much distance would be needed here, 1-2 meters (3-6 feet)? Would that make it easier? Then the basement wouldn’t be adjacent to the neighbor’s property but would be entirely beneath our house.
M
motorradsilke9 Apr 2025 09:21Fraumaunz schrieb:
The persuading part was of course a joke. Still, it would be nice if, in a joint building project, not only one side had to make compromises.
The basement is non-negotiable for us.
Would a partial basement be possible that leaves some distance from the property boundary? I’m not sure how much distance would be needed, 1–2 meters (3–6.5 feet)? Would that make things easier? Then the basement wouldn’t border the neighbor’s lot but would be entirely under our house. I would discuss such matters with the architect or general contractor.
Fraumaunz schrieb:
The comment about persuading was obviously a joke. Still, it would be nice if in a joint construction project, not only one party had to make compromises. Your neighbors did not promise you shared suffering at any altar!
Fraumaunz schrieb:
The basement is non-negotiable for us. Definitely. "If the lottery doesn’t pick my numbers, I’ll die immediately" – such fatalism is unhealthy and will never have the power to force supposed luck. By the way, you haven’t commented on the hillside location yet.
Fraumaunz schrieb:
Would a partial basement possibly be an option that leaves some distance from the property line? I don’t know how much clearance would be necessary here, 1-2 meters (3-6 feet)? Would that be simpler? Then the basement wouldn’t border the neighbors’ land but would be completely underneath our house. I deliberately kept it short without a long explanation because a partial basement is possible but uneconomical. The clearance also needs to account for the excavation slope, so about 2 meters (6 feet) would be close to the minimum (and your staircase would then have to be placed on the side facing away from the neighbors, although it would actually be much more cost-effective along the "shared" wall side). This Pyrrhic victory isn’t really necessary. Rent space in a self-storage facility if you still need time to sort things for the flea market/recycling center. A basement as storage space is by no means the only option.
K a t j a schrieb:
I would rather try to increase the roof pitch, if possible. That doesn’t make a big financial difference compared to building an additional basement. If necessary, I would offer to contribute to the extra costs. If a longer house is permitted, that would be easier, as you could then leave the consistent profile in the additional length. But I don’t really see that as necessary here.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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