ᐅ Add a vestibule to an existing shell structure after the initial construction phase
Created on: 4 Sep 2017 21:59
N
Nona4
Hello everyone,
Our shell construction is almost finished; only the roof is still missing. I was already unhappy with our entrance area during the planning phase. It feels too tight to me, and the staircase is located directly next to the front door, which made me worry that dirt from outside would accumulate there, especially in winter. It’s also worth mentioning that we have two toddlers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to solve this differently during planning, as otherwise one of the other rooms would have become too small. So we accepted the compromise of having a small hallway/entrance area. Expanding it or adding a separate vestibule wasn’t an option for us at that time because we were concerned it would exceed our budget. Since we are building with an architect, you can never be sure exactly how much everything will cost in the end. But you do hear everywhere that it usually ends up being more than planned.
Now, it turns out that for almost all trades, the costs have come in below what the architect originally estimated. So, of course, we’re quite annoyed that we didn’t plan the vestibule after all. We are now considering having a vestibule added retroactively since the shell is almost complete. My husband plans to talk to the architect in the coming days. My question is: Has anyone ever done something like this? Would it be a major issue, or can anyone estimate how high the costs might be? The vestibule would be only about 6 sqm (65 sq ft) in size.
Our shell construction is almost finished; only the roof is still missing. I was already unhappy with our entrance area during the planning phase. It feels too tight to me, and the staircase is located directly next to the front door, which made me worry that dirt from outside would accumulate there, especially in winter. It’s also worth mentioning that we have two toddlers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to solve this differently during planning, as otherwise one of the other rooms would have become too small. So we accepted the compromise of having a small hallway/entrance area. Expanding it or adding a separate vestibule wasn’t an option for us at that time because we were concerned it would exceed our budget. Since we are building with an architect, you can never be sure exactly how much everything will cost in the end. But you do hear everywhere that it usually ends up being more than planned.
Now, it turns out that for almost all trades, the costs have come in below what the architect originally estimated. So, of course, we’re quite annoyed that we didn’t plan the vestibule after all. We are now considering having a vestibule added retroactively since the shell is almost complete. My husband plans to talk to the architect in the coming days. My question is: Has anyone ever done something like this? Would it be a major issue, or can anyone estimate how high the costs might be? The vestibule would be only about 6 sqm (65 sq ft) in size.
B
Bau-Schmidt6 Sep 2017 10:40The general question was, how much does an entry vestibule cost? No further related questions were answered. Therefore, only a general answer is possible.
For example, I have considered tiling the hallway upstairs. I wouldn’t ask here how much that costs. Instead, I would direct the question to the construction company or the architect.
For example, I have considered tiling the hallway upstairs. I wouldn’t ask here how much that costs. Instead, I would direct the question to the construction company or the architect.
C
Caspar20206 Sep 2017 11:15Bau-Schmidt schrieb:
Additionally, the entrance vestibule can be attached without any problems.No. If the house already meets the minimum setback distances to the street, neighbors, or other boundaries, building in these zones can be legally challenging.
B
Bau-Schmidt6 Sep 2017 11:45The general question was, how much does a vestibule cost? No further related questions were answered. Therefore, only a general response is possible.
Hello, we have already spoken with our architect, and he mentioned it might be difficult because the foundation slab could develop cracks since it is not connected to the house’s foundation slab. He wants to discuss the details with us directly on the construction site. The windbreak entryway should be built with masonry and have a flat roof. It would be located just in front of the main entrance. No changes to the roof are necessary since it does not extend beyond the ground floor. I thought maybe some of you have added a similar-sized windbreak entryway after construction and could share your experiences here.
Yes, we are building with an architect and managing individual contracts. Almost all trades have already been contracted. Of course, we are aware there might be some additional costs here and there. The electrician is already cutting chases and installing empty conduits. We have also taken some trades out, for example, the entire roof including the metalwork, since we have carpenters among our friends who offered to do it. For that, we only pay the material costs. And no, it doesn’t take months until the roof is finished, just to clarify. Plumbing will be done by my brother-in-law, which was not initially planned but happened naturally.
Isn’t the biggest advantage of building with an architect exactly that you have this flexibility to remove trades and save on actual (labor) costs? It’s not the same with a general contractor, who usually only deducts an amount from the invoice that doesn’t even cover the material costs. Or am I misunderstanding something and some of you were not allowed to remove trades because the architect would otherwise receive less fees? That was not the case for us.
Yes, we are building with an architect and managing individual contracts. Almost all trades have already been contracted. Of course, we are aware there might be some additional costs here and there. The electrician is already cutting chases and installing empty conduits. We have also taken some trades out, for example, the entire roof including the metalwork, since we have carpenters among our friends who offered to do it. For that, we only pay the material costs. And no, it doesn’t take months until the roof is finished, just to clarify. Plumbing will be done by my brother-in-law, which was not initially planned but happened naturally.
Isn’t the biggest advantage of building with an architect exactly that you have this flexibility to remove trades and save on actual (labor) costs? It’s not the same with a general contractor, who usually only deducts an amount from the invoice that doesn’t even cover the material costs. Or am I misunderstanding something and some of you were not allowed to remove trades because the architect would otherwise receive less fees? That was not the case for us.
What do other individual trades have to do with your entrance vestibule and the cost issue?
I thought we were staying on topic?
Many here build with a general contractor (GC), and some subcontract certain trades, yes.
But in this forum, no one has ever mentioned that using a GC resulted in insufficient space planned for the entrance area, or that concerns about inadequate space arose during the construction phase.
Generally, people are satisfied with their choice, even if some aspects of a good design seem more challenging with a GC.
I thought we were staying on topic?
Many here build with a general contractor (GC), and some subcontract certain trades, yes.
But in this forum, no one has ever mentioned that using a GC resulted in insufficient space planned for the entrance area, or that concerns about inadequate space arose during the construction phase.
Generally, people are satisfied with their choice, even if some aspects of a good design seem more challenging with a GC.
If you mean me: I was simply confused by this "removal" term. For example, I would never say that we took the windows out – they were never included in a complete package anyway; we're just doing them ourselves.
Your architect seems quite overly cautious. First, they estimated (much?) too high costs, now they're being a technical pessimist. Other people add half a house onto their existing building, and it works. So don’t get discouraged...
Your architect seems quite overly cautious. First, they estimated (much?) too high costs, now they're being a technical pessimist. Other people add half a house onto their existing building, and it works. So don’t get discouraged...
Similar topics