Hello everyone,
I’m writing because I’m feeling quite down.
My husband and I want to build a house. We already have a plot in mind. It is 400 sqm (4,300 sq ft) and located in a new development area.
Unfortunately, our budget only allows for a house costing around 220,000 euros.
So far, we have approached both solid construction (masonry) and prefabricated house companies, as well as an architectural firm and a local builder. None of them are able to build a house for this price.
We think our requirements are quite reasonable?!
Here are our details:
1 ½ stories
approximately 120-140 sqm (1,290-1,510 sq ft)
1 bathroom
1 guest WC with shower
3 bedrooms
Air-source heat pump with underfloor heating
and either an office
or a basement, but it must be built as a waterproof “white tank” (watertight concrete structure).
We would take care of painting and flooring ourselves.
Additional construction costs are not included, nor is the cost of the land.
What do you think?
Best regards, Malo
I’m writing because I’m feeling quite down.
My husband and I want to build a house. We already have a plot in mind. It is 400 sqm (4,300 sq ft) and located in a new development area.
Unfortunately, our budget only allows for a house costing around 220,000 euros.
So far, we have approached both solid construction (masonry) and prefabricated house companies, as well as an architectural firm and a local builder. None of them are able to build a house for this price.
We think our requirements are quite reasonable?!
Here are our details:
1 ½ stories
approximately 120-140 sqm (1,290-1,510 sq ft)
1 bathroom
1 guest WC with shower
3 bedrooms
Air-source heat pump with underfloor heating
and either an office
or a basement, but it must be built as a waterproof “white tank” (watertight concrete structure).
We would take care of painting and flooring ourselves.
Additional construction costs are not included, nor is the cost of the land.
What do you think?
Best regards, Malo
B
Bauexperte14 Feb 2013 12:21Hello Der Da,
I know that all too well... I often had to wallpaper alone because the best husband ever was always away somehow. For the ceilings, one of my children had to hold the broom. But today both of them are great at wallpapering and also good at finding practical solutions in everyday life; being a child with me prepares them for later life.
Contrary to my usual way, I asked you publicly because many here underestimate the amount of work involved in DIY, and the painting work alone should not be underestimated! Thank you for also responding publicly.
Kind regards – and no one has ever called me "Maaam" before.
Der Da schrieb:
Installed 1200 meters (3937 feet) of wallpaper on walls and ceilings, two coats.... Maaam!!
If anyone is looking for someone to do this, they better run far away.... I definitely won’t wallpaper that fast again...
We worked for 10 days together in the house, always with our 3-month-old son in tow... The ceilings were a nightmare
I know that all too well... I often had to wallpaper alone because the best husband ever was always away somehow. For the ceilings, one of my children had to hold the broom. But today both of them are great at wallpapering and also good at finding practical solutions in everyday life; being a child with me prepares them for later life.
Contrary to my usual way, I asked you publicly because many here underestimate the amount of work involved in DIY, and the painting work alone should not be underestimated! Thank you for also responding publicly.
Kind regards – and no one has ever called me "Maaam" before.
B
Bauexperte14 Feb 2013 14:48Malo78 schrieb:
We have gathered information from Baumeister-Haus, Weberhaus, ProHaus, Schwörerhaus, as well as from an architect and a private (local) building contractor.
ProHaus would have been an option, but unfortunately we cannot manage the self-construction part. I don’t really understand the first one, the second is clear, and I wouldn’t recommend the third one either – design and build contracts are tough, architects don’t provide fixed prices, otherwise they would be general contractors, and I don’t really understand the local contractor either. He doesn’t “owe” anyone licensing fees or such and can usually offer a better price.
Malo78 schrieb:
It is important to us that the partner is local. Of course, this limits the options. That’s probably the problem. No, that probably isn’t the problem. There are many cross-regional providers with branches in Baden-Württemberg who also cooperate with local tradespeople.
First, you should clarify exactly what YOU want – above, you listed both prefabricated house and solid construction providers. There is a huge difference between those!
How young are you, if I may ask?
Best regards
Actually, we would prefer to build a solid, traditional house! We only looked at prefabricated houses to gather information, since we have no experience with house construction.
The architect provided us with a detailed written estimate of $260,000. The local builder said we wouldn’t get anything from him for less than $250,000... and so on.
I am currently 34 years old, and my husband is 37.
The architect provided us with a detailed written estimate of $260,000. The local builder said we wouldn’t get anything from him for less than $250,000... and so on.
I am currently 34 years old, and my husband is 37.
I would advise you to take your time and thoroughly research house construction. If you have little knowledge and are perhaps a bit desperate, as you might be right now, you can easily become an attractive target.
When it comes to solid construction (masonry or concrete), you actually need to accumulate even more knowledge, because in my opinion, there is a higher risk of things going wrong. External construction supervision is almost essential in this case. Although prefab houses can also encounter problems, good companies usually have quality control in their factories that should catch major errors. However, inspections on site are also necessary.
I find it a bit surprising regarding Weberhaus. They offered us a very affordable house, but unfortunately, our gut feeling was not positive enough for us to pursue it further.
When it comes to solid construction (masonry or concrete), you actually need to accumulate even more knowledge, because in my opinion, there is a higher risk of things going wrong. External construction supervision is almost essential in this case. Although prefab houses can also encounter problems, good companies usually have quality control in their factories that should catch major errors. However, inspections on site are also necessary.
I find it a bit surprising regarding Weberhaus. They offered us a very affordable house, but unfortunately, our gut feeling was not positive enough for us to pursue it further.
schubert7915 Feb 2013 17:04Who told you the maximum amount of 220,000 (220k)? The main bank? How was this figure determined? Is it really the absolute maximum, or just a rough estimate? How much principal repayment has been calculated? If this truly is the absolute maximum, it might be better to avoid it... If interest rates rise in the next few years, things can quickly go wrong.
Feedback...
First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who responded to me publicly or privately on this forum! Your input has really helped us make progress in our decision-making process!!!
By now, we have decided to skip the new build. Instead, we received a good house purchase offer in our town.
An architect and a contractor are scheduled for next week, but I still have a question here:
The house dates back to the 1950s. We definitely need a complete renovation and an extension (1.5 floors, no basement), since the original house only has about 70m² (750 sq ft) of living space plus demolition of the old workshop.
The real estate agent selling the house gave us a corresponding offer for 100,000€ (without the land, but otherwise fully completed). The extension and remodeling plans have already been prepared and approved.
The offer sounds fantastic, but I do have my doubts whether 100,000€ will be enough for such an undertaking?!
First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who responded to me publicly or privately on this forum! Your input has really helped us make progress in our decision-making process!!!
By now, we have decided to skip the new build. Instead, we received a good house purchase offer in our town.
An architect and a contractor are scheduled for next week, but I still have a question here:
The house dates back to the 1950s. We definitely need a complete renovation and an extension (1.5 floors, no basement), since the original house only has about 70m² (750 sq ft) of living space plus demolition of the old workshop.
The real estate agent selling the house gave us a corresponding offer for 100,000€ (without the land, but otherwise fully completed). The extension and remodeling plans have already been prepared and approved.
The offer sounds fantastic, but I do have my doubts whether 100,000€ will be enough for such an undertaking?!
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