ᐅ Danwood Family – Is the Project Feasible?

SeppWeller schrieb:

What is supposed to be rude about deleting?

Then the time I dedicated to answering you would have been wasted. In that sense, it would be disrespectful towards me. Of course, it would be the same for everyone else.

SeppWeller schrieb:

Hello to the forum. I am new here, a complete construction novice, and I hope for your help. We (45 and 41 years old) are currently considering whether to start a house building project or not. We could get a good building plot relatively cheaply, but based on my research so far, the budget of 450,000 (about 450k) would be quite limited. It’s not extremely tight, but we don’t really want to spend more. Our requirements are low: a simple Danwood Family house with 110 m² (1,184 sq ft) and a price list of 245,000 should be the basis. I have been researching for weeks, but now I simply need help from people with relevant experience. Accordingly, I have put together a very rough cost plan and would like to know how you assess it—whether it is even remotely realistic or whether we should better leave it alone right away. The building site is in a rural area of Baden-Württemberg (BW).

Hello SeppWeller,
What is your current situation? We are also at a similar point right now.
The plot is reserved—foundation slab and earthworks are rough estimates—the house is still open—and the budget is 450k.
I can tell you, it is extremely tight!
Regards, Sepp

Sepp M. schrieb:

Hello SeppWeller,
How are things on your end? We are currently at a similar stage.
Plot is reserved – foundation slab and earthworks are estimated as rough prices – house plan is still open – budget 450K.
I can tell you, it’s extremely tight!
Regards, Sepp

Since SeppWeller hasn’t been active since the end of May, I don’t think he will see this question.

My general tips if you are working with a tight budget:
1. Clarify ground conditions early! This means: geotechnical report (foundation recommendations, waste disposal classification), drainage connections (especially depth), local connection fees. With this information, you can avoid some of the biggest unpleasant surprises upfront.

2. Set a priority list: must-haves and nice-to-haves. What needs to be done immediately, and what can possibly wait a few years if necessary?

3. Some tasks can be done quite well as DIY or subcontracted to save costs (e.g., laying vinyl or laminate flooring, wallpapering). Others are better not subcontracted, even if tempting (especially when warranty issues are important; for example, the foundation slab).

4. Even though it’s difficult, keep a contingency reserve. Something always comes up.

Sepp M. schrieb:

Hello SeppWeller,
what is your current status? We are also at a similar point right now.
Plot is reserved – foundation slab and earthworks as a rough estimate – house is still open – budget 450,000 (approx. 450K)
I can tell you it’s extremely tight!
Cheers, Sepp

Hello Sepp,

unfortunately, we did not win the bid for the building plot. Therefore, the project is on hold. However, I am of course always interested in experience and cost comparisons, so I would appreciate any further information you can share about your construction progress.

Best regards, Sepp

Sepp M. schrieb:

Hello SeppWeller,
what is your current status – we are also at a similar stage right now.

Please describe your "similar stage" in more detail.

Sepp M. schrieb:

Plot reserved – foundation slab and earthworks as indicative price – house is open – budget 450K

I suspect/fear you want to contract the foundation slab and earthworks separately from the house construction contract? That is very risky; include the foundation slab or at least a responsible site manager for it within the house construction package!
Are you following your namesake because Danwood is also your likely top candidate?

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Papierturm schrieb:
Since SeppWeller has not been active since the end of May, I don't think he will see the question.

My general tips when you are working with a tight budget:
1. Get clarity early on regarding ground risks! This means: soil report (foundation recommendation, disposal class). Drainage connections (especially depth). Local connection fees. With this information, you can avoid some of the most unpleasant surprises.

2. Establish a priority list: must-haves, nice-to-haves. What needs to be done immediately, and what can possibly wait a few years?

3. Some tasks can be done quite well as DIY or outsourced at lower cost (e.g., laying vinyl or laminate flooring, wallpapering). Others should preferably not be subcontracted, even if it seems tempting (especially when warranties are important; for example, the foundation slab).

4. Even if it hurts, set aside a contingency budget. Something unexpected always comes up.

Thanks, yes, I’m currently gathering the cost estimates. It’s shocking how high the numbers can get. 450,000 is unrealistic, that’s clear. In Austria, you are responsible for the foundation slab yourself; apart from WOLF, no one here offers that. I’m a trained carpenter, with 10 years of experience laying floors, and 20 years in the timber trade. So quite a bit can be done as DIY. At 52, loan eligibility is limited, and you don’t want to approach the feasibility limit of 500,000. With 450,000 minus all the “unpleasant” additional costs (groundwork, reinforcement, pouring, connections + connection fees, infiltration, compacting terrace, eaves, swale, foundations for house and carport, asphalt, reinforced soil, fill up 1.5m (5 feet), topsoil, site setup—in other words, groundwork except paving eaves & terrace all together), that leaves 250,000 for the prefabricated part of the house, which is too little, even if that stings. But there are alternative options. You have to rethink things, and as a timber merchant I have contacts. We’ll see.