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Dorfweib1816 Nov 2015 21:34Hello!
To start with, I have no experience in house construction, renovations, or remodeling, but I would like to gather some information about an idea that suddenly came to my mind. There is a tiny house just a few streets away, really small (approximately 5 meters (16 feet) wide and 10 meters (33 feet) long). Unfortunately, it is old, rundown, currently unoccupied, and possibly being used as a storage shed. It would be great to rebuild or renovate it.
Apart from the interior fittings, much would probably need to be done, starting with water supply for the bathroom and kitchen, heating, and electricity. However, I believe electricity is already installed. Also, some work might be necessary on the floors, walls, and ceilings of the rooms, and maybe some partition walls could be added along with one or two new windows.
Could you tell me if it would be worth it? And what you estimate the costs might be, roughly?
I have attached a photo of the house.
Best regards,
Dorfweib18
To start with, I have no experience in house construction, renovations, or remodeling, but I would like to gather some information about an idea that suddenly came to my mind. There is a tiny house just a few streets away, really small (approximately 5 meters (16 feet) wide and 10 meters (33 feet) long). Unfortunately, it is old, rundown, currently unoccupied, and possibly being used as a storage shed. It would be great to rebuild or renovate it.
Apart from the interior fittings, much would probably need to be done, starting with water supply for the bathroom and kitchen, heating, and electricity. However, I believe electricity is already installed. Also, some work might be necessary on the floors, walls, and ceilings of the rooms, and maybe some partition walls could be added along with one or two new windows.
Could you tell me if it would be worth it? And what you estimate the costs might be, roughly?
I have attached a photo of the house.
Best regards,
Dorfweib18
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nordanney16 Nov 2015 21:52If the property is really in such poor condition and basically everything needs to be done, costs can very quickly reach six figures.
How much should the small house cost? If it has a prime location in the village center and a beautiful plot, it can certainly be worthwhile—especially if it suits your needs (it seems to be quite small).
However, if it is located on the outskirts of the village, is too small for you, and costs more than the value of the land, it might be better to look for something else.
Depending on your expectations and your DIY skills, such a renovation can sometimes reach or even exceed the costs of a new build, depending on the purchase price.
However, if it is located on the outskirts of the village, is too small for you, and costs more than the value of the land, it might be better to look for something else.
Depending on your expectations and your DIY skills, such a renovation can sometimes reach or even exceed the costs of a new build, depending on the purchase price.
What do you want to use it for? A studio apartment? The size really isn’t suitable for anything bigger.
What you’d probably have to do: dismantle down to the foundation walls, replace the roof—possibly the roof structure as well—and then an architect and a structural engineer will need to be involved regarding your new windows and so on.
How about the structural stability? I’ve seen a quote online for an old house where, seriously, it stated that a concrete slab would need to be added afterward. I have no idea how that is done, but that’s what was written.
I’m pretty sure that demolition and rebuilding would be more cost-effective. Even if the house size is debatable, 5 by 10 meters (16 by 33 feet) is no longer up to current standards. I would advise against it.
What you’d probably have to do: dismantle down to the foundation walls, replace the roof—possibly the roof structure as well—and then an architect and a structural engineer will need to be involved regarding your new windows and so on.
How about the structural stability? I’ve seen a quote online for an old house where, seriously, it stated that a concrete slab would need to be added afterward. I have no idea how that is done, but that’s what was written.
I’m pretty sure that demolition and rebuilding would be more cost-effective. Even if the house size is debatable, 5 by 10 meters (16 by 33 feet) is no longer up to current standards. I would advise against it.
Interestingly, most people tend to fall for dilapidated old buildings, often without much or any knowledge of renovation, building construction, or related topics. Probably for that very reason. Such a “gut renovation,” if genuinely intended to create living space that meets current standards, is not cheaper than building a new house of comparable size—often it is significantly more expensive. In the end, you only get a reinforced old building structure, which in terms of quality cannot be compared to a new build—despite similar costs. Roughly estimate construction costs of €1,250 to €1,500 per m2 of gross floor area (GFA) (approximately 11 to 14 USD per ft2) for the pure building work (cost groups 300+400), plus additional construction-related costs (architect and structural engineer fees, official fees, financing costs, etc.) of 18-23% on top of that total.
For a house like this, it is usually not worthwhile. Very little usable structure will remain other than a few square meters of raw masonry, which very likely does not even have a proper frost-protected foundation. The mentioned concrete slab probably does not exist, nor do waterproofing or other essential structural protections; the connection to the sewer system may even be missing...
Do not be tempted by a cheap “bargain offer” to make a spontaneous purchase without having calculated the financial consequences with a qualified planner. The only interesting aspect might be a nice plot of land if you can or want to build new, and you can buy the land at the official land value minus estimated demolition costs of about €6,000 to €9,000. However, even here do not buy without an expert who explains the building and planning law situation of the plot and outlines realistic building possibilities for you beforehand.
For a house like this, it is usually not worthwhile. Very little usable structure will remain other than a few square meters of raw masonry, which very likely does not even have a proper frost-protected foundation. The mentioned concrete slab probably does not exist, nor do waterproofing or other essential structural protections; the connection to the sewer system may even be missing...
Do not be tempted by a cheap “bargain offer” to make a spontaneous purchase without having calculated the financial consequences with a qualified planner. The only interesting aspect might be a nice plot of land if you can or want to build new, and you can buy the land at the official land value minus estimated demolition costs of about €6,000 to €9,000. However, even here do not buy without an expert who explains the building and planning law situation of the plot and outlines realistic building possibilities for you beforehand.
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