ᐅ Renovation of Single-Family Home Built in 1962 – General Questions / Looking for a Site Manager in the Bremen Area
Created on: 9 Dec 2025 20:42
L
lukasliHello everyone,
I have been a silent reader for some time now because about four years ago we bought a detached house built in 1962, but have been renting it out with a right of residence for the seller. Last week, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that the lady will now be moving into a senior residence. So the renovation can be planned and could theoretically start from Q2 2026.
Unfortunately, I am not a professional, but I enjoy researching topics. However, the renovation concept and project oversight will of course be handled by an expert. We would be very grateful for recommendations on renovation companies or preferably construction managers/architects in the Bremen area!
- This year, we already had the roof completely renovated while it was still rented out, including 140 mm (5.5 inches) mineral wool insulation between the rafters and 140 mm (5.5 inches) mineral wool fiber insulation above the rafters.
The following work needs to be done (170 sqm (1,830 sq ft) living area, 2.5 full stories):
- Exterior wall insulation with ETICS (external thermal insulation composite system)
- New windows and front door
- New electrical system, likely KNX wiring
- New fresh water and wastewater systems
- Air-to-water heat pump to replace the oil heating
- Underfloor heating on both floors
- Air conditioning for the attic floor for cooling and heating
- Two small bathrooms to be renovated
- New guest toilet
- Tiles, flooring, interior doors, and painting can be done by acquaintances.
From my online research, we are looking at about €200,000. What do you think? I would also appreciate your thoughts on the points mentioned above.
Many thanks and best regards
lukasli
I have been a silent reader for some time now because about four years ago we bought a detached house built in 1962, but have been renting it out with a right of residence for the seller. Last week, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that the lady will now be moving into a senior residence. So the renovation can be planned and could theoretically start from Q2 2026.
Unfortunately, I am not a professional, but I enjoy researching topics. However, the renovation concept and project oversight will of course be handled by an expert. We would be very grateful for recommendations on renovation companies or preferably construction managers/architects in the Bremen area!
- This year, we already had the roof completely renovated while it was still rented out, including 140 mm (5.5 inches) mineral wool insulation between the rafters and 140 mm (5.5 inches) mineral wool fiber insulation above the rafters.
The following work needs to be done (170 sqm (1,830 sq ft) living area, 2.5 full stories):
- Exterior wall insulation with ETICS (external thermal insulation composite system)
- New windows and front door
- New electrical system, likely KNX wiring
- New fresh water and wastewater systems
- Air-to-water heat pump to replace the oil heating
- Underfloor heating on both floors
- Air conditioning for the attic floor for cooling and heating
- Two small bathrooms to be renovated
- New guest toilet
- Tiles, flooring, interior doors, and painting can be done by acquaintances.
From my online research, we are looking at about €200,000. What do you think? I would also appreciate your thoughts on the points mentioned above.
Many thanks and best regards
lukasli
Hi Lukas,
With your list of measures, the $200,000 estimate seems rather optimistic, especially since you’re dealing with a house from the early 60s, where there can be unexpected issues behind every wall. Just the electrical system with KNX, new pipes for fresh water and wastewater, underfloor heating on both floors, and a well-planned air-to-water heat pump can quickly add up to five-figure amounts. The insulation plus windows are a significant expense anyway, especially if you don’t want to go for the lowest tier in the external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS, also called EIFS). Have you already had the existing walls checked to see if they’re suitable for ETICS without additional preparatory work?
An experienced construction manager is definitely worth it, especially for renovations like this, since the trades constantly overlap.
Good luck!
With your list of measures, the $200,000 estimate seems rather optimistic, especially since you’re dealing with a house from the early 60s, where there can be unexpected issues behind every wall. Just the electrical system with KNX, new pipes for fresh water and wastewater, underfloor heating on both floors, and a well-planned air-to-water heat pump can quickly add up to five-figure amounts. The insulation plus windows are a significant expense anyway, especially if you don’t want to go for the lowest tier in the external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS, also called EIFS). Have you already had the existing walls checked to see if they’re suitable for ETICS without additional preparatory work?
An experienced construction manager is definitely worth it, especially for renovations like this, since the trades constantly overlap.
Good luck!
N
nordanney9 Dec 2025 22:39lukasli schrieb:
What do you think about this?Measures = major renovation In my opinion, the costs are set far too low (I renovated a house from the 1960s like this myself—except for the roof). This works out to just over €1,200 per square meter (about $130 per square foot). Add at least €800 (about $87) more per square meter.
That’s assuming the “acquaintances” can and want to provide their considerable labor time without any payment.
P.S. My material costs alone were around €850 per square meter (about $79 per square foot) for a comparable renovation.
To be honest, my rough estimate came out around 200k. I have already renovated two houses through self-construction and, in my opinion, I am reasonably up to date regarding the associated costs. Cost drivers can include additional expenses related to exterior wall insulation, for example. I also consider issues like insufficient roof overhangs as part of this.
The bathrooms are highly dependent on the level of quality and features desired.
I strongly recommend carrying out self-construction work where possible, especially demolition.
If there is no prior experience, hiring a construction manager definitely makes sense.
I did not take into account the connection points in the sense of “can be done by acquaintances.”
The bathrooms are highly dependent on the level of quality and features desired.
I strongly recommend carrying out self-construction work where possible, especially demolition.
If there is no prior experience, hiring a construction manager definitely makes sense.
I did not take into account the connection points in the sense of “can be done by acquaintances.”
N
nordanney10 Dec 2025 07:20Joedreck schrieb:
To be honest, my rough estimate came out around 200k. How did you calculate that—without electrical work, or including contractors?
If I estimate 50k for the heating system with underfloor heating, 10k for gutting the interior, 40k for KNX/electrical installations, 5k for HVAC, 35k for windows and front door, 50k for external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS), 15k for water and wastewater, 25k for three bathrooms/toilets, plus screed and plastering at 15k, all materials for electrical work, construction management/architect, possibly new house connections, and miscellaneous small items. Adding a 10% contingency buffer, you end up at around +/- 300k.
This is just a rough estimate based on gut feeling, without knowing the house (only the living area is known).