ᐅ Building an End-Terrace House as a Self-Managed Project with a General Contractor
Created on: 27 May 2019 10:48
G
goalkeeper
Hello everyone,
some of you might have already followed one of my threads about us having to or being allowed to build our end-terrace house on our own responsibility – depending on how you look at it. This means that we are buying an end-terrace plot (215 sqm (2315 sq ft)) in a new development area in the Rhein-Neckar district and will be building on it ourselves – but in coordination with our two terrace neighbors.
The municipality, which sold the plots through a local resident model, ideally wanted applicants to apply as a complete housing group with several families and then build accordingly with a general contractor, construction manager, or architect. Of course, that didn’t really work out, so now there are only individual applicants and also homeowners.
After we were awarded the plot, the addresses of the other terrace neighbors were shared to discuss certain matters, such as roof style, whether or not to have a basement, etc. It was immediately clear that everyone preferred to do their own thing. However, we were still able to agree that the housing group will have a gable roof with a pitch of 35 to 40 degrees (within this 5-degree range).
As the end house, we will build without a basement, while the middle house and the other end house will have basements. This obviously presents a challenge as we would have to make a deep foundation or simply skip it, and the middle house would have to support us, as we will start construction first. The current agreement with the middle house is that we will build a deeper foundation at his expense, as supporting our house later on would be considerably more expensive for him.
We are currently close to signing with the construction manager, the notarization appointment for the plot is at the end of June, and we hope to start construction in the fall of this year. Meanwhile, several other freely planned housing groups are being built around us, which might get in the way with their cranes.
I will document the progress here from time to time – such a self-planned terraced house doesn’t come along very often.
some of you might have already followed one of my threads about us having to or being allowed to build our end-terrace house on our own responsibility – depending on how you look at it. This means that we are buying an end-terrace plot (215 sqm (2315 sq ft)) in a new development area in the Rhein-Neckar district and will be building on it ourselves – but in coordination with our two terrace neighbors.
The municipality, which sold the plots through a local resident model, ideally wanted applicants to apply as a complete housing group with several families and then build accordingly with a general contractor, construction manager, or architect. Of course, that didn’t really work out, so now there are only individual applicants and also homeowners.
After we were awarded the plot, the addresses of the other terrace neighbors were shared to discuss certain matters, such as roof style, whether or not to have a basement, etc. It was immediately clear that everyone preferred to do their own thing. However, we were still able to agree that the housing group will have a gable roof with a pitch of 35 to 40 degrees (within this 5-degree range).
As the end house, we will build without a basement, while the middle house and the other end house will have basements. This obviously presents a challenge as we would have to make a deep foundation or simply skip it, and the middle house would have to support us, as we will start construction first. The current agreement with the middle house is that we will build a deeper foundation at his expense, as supporting our house later on would be considerably more expensive for him.
We are currently close to signing with the construction manager, the notarization appointment for the plot is at the end of June, and we hope to start construction in the fall of this year. Meanwhile, several other freely planned housing groups are being built around us, which might get in the way with their cranes.
I will document the progress here from time to time – such a self-planned terraced house doesn’t come along very often.
G
goalkeeper29 Jun 2020 09:42Communication regarding the middle house remains unsatisfactory – it is still unclear when construction will begin. The other neighbor might start their basement in the fall. The scheduled framing date for their house is also only in calendar week 19/2021.
The middle house will be moved five meters (16 feet) back from the front. Therefore, this wouldn’t affect our L-shaped retaining blocks. However, we are a bit skeptical ourselves about whether it might be more sensible to address the whole issue comprehensively. In that case, I’ll just lay down some patio slabs as a walkway to the house – temporarily serving the purpose better than the old construction planks.
The middle house will be moved five meters (16 feet) back from the front. Therefore, this wouldn’t affect our L-shaped retaining blocks. However, we are a bit skeptical ourselves about whether it might be more sensible to address the whole issue comprehensively. In that case, I’ll just lay down some patio slabs as a walkway to the house – temporarily serving the purpose better than the old construction planks.
In general, you should keep in mind that they are not obligated to provide you with information, so don’t annoy them too much or you might end up not hearing from them at all.
I would also just wait before you take the time (and incur the costs) to do the work, only for it to be wasted or damaged, etc.
I would also just wait before you take the time (and incur the costs) to do the work, only for it to be wasted or damaged, etc.
G
goalkeeper29 Jun 2020 09:57halmi schrieb:
In general, you should remember that they are not obliged to provide you with information, so if you bother him too much, you might end up getting nothing from him at all. Of course, he needs my approval regarding the support structure, so he must provide me with information on that. This information is closely tied to the start of construction.
I don’t contact him; I wait for him to reach out. However, he always sets deadlines himself, for example, “I will send you the soil report with foundation recommendations by next week at the latest” — and then nothing comes.
Winniefred6 Jul 2020 16:09So, have you been in contact with them again?
How is it looking with the water under the roof? I can only advise you to watch this very closely. Because of the membranes, insulation, and drywall, it can sometimes take a long time before you notice small amounts of water entering. I really hope it’s as you say and that it’s been resolved, but to be honest, I’m rather doubtful.
How is it looking with the water under the roof? I can only advise you to watch this very closely. Because of the membranes, insulation, and drywall, it can sometimes take a long time before you notice small amounts of water entering. I really hope it’s as you say and that it’s been resolved, but to be honest, I’m rather doubtful.
halmi schrieb:
He doesn’t have to tell you when he plans to start, he might even be having issues with his company, etc. Of course, that’s frustrating for you.
I just wanted to say that you shouldn’t put so much pressure on him, he will be your neighbor eventually. I find the advice for @goalkeeper very helpful.
Because even if you don’t mean it that way, it comes across as if he were your enemy. At least you seem very suspicious when it comes to your neighbor. And he might pick up on that.
We may have discussed this before… and it’s not really the case that you first have to earn kindness or understanding. But he is a different person than you, and no one really knows the situation or can judge it. Yes, you are facing disadvantages now… but everyone has their own pace and their own time.