Hello,
My partner and I are in the process of planning our own home. We would really appreciate any tips and advice.
The construction will take place in Lower Saxony near Hanover. A new residential area is being developed. The cost for land development is expected to be around 175 EUR per m² (approximately $18 per sq ft).
Our desired home is a bungalow with at least 120 m² to 140 m² (1300 to 1500 sq ft). However, this is not a strict requirement. Since the plots are not very large, it is also possible to build a house with 1.5 to 2 floors. The bungalow is mainly considered because living barrier-free in old age is important to us. A “regular” single-family house can of course be renovated later, but we feel it is better to plan for accessibility now.
We want the house to be delivered as a turnkey project (turnkey can mean different things to different people).
At the moment, we are visiting model home parks, looking through catalogs, and talking to local architects and construction companies to decide whether to hire an architect or opt for a solid masonry or prefab house.
Attached are the plot sizes ranging between 500 m² and 560 m² (approximately 5400 to 6000 sq ft). This is challenging for a bungalow but possibly manageable.
Which plot would you consider and what are your thoughts on building a bungalow here?
Some data:
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: see attachment
Site occupancy index (Grundflächenzahl): 0.3
Floor area ratio (Geschossflächenzahl): 0.45
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors allowed: 2
Roof types permitted: gable roof, hip roof, half-hip roof, and shed roofs
Maximum height: 9 m (approximately 30 ft)
Further specifications:
§ 3 Extent of structural use
(Section 9 Paragraph 1 Nos. 3 and 6 Federal Building Code)
Within residential area WA 1, the site occupancy index (Grundflächenzahl) may be exceeded exceptionally on pipe-head plots for access paths.
§ 4 Building height
(Section 18 Land Use Ordinance)
The maximum permitted building height including all roof structures in residential area WA 1 is 9.00 m (approx. 30 ft). Excluded from this are chimneys and antennas.
§ 5 Position of buildings
(Section 9 Paragraph 1 No. 2 Federal Building Code)
1. In the general residential areas WA 1, WA 3, and WA 6, the longitudinal axis of the buildings must be aligned according to the specified position of the building. Garages and ancillary buildings under § 14 Land Use Ordinance are exempt.
2. In WA 1, WA 3, and WA 6, deviations from the specified building position of up to 22° (to the south clockwise) are permitted.
§ 6 Garages and ancillary buildings
(§§ 12, 14, and 22 Paragraph 4 Land Use Ordinance)
1. Garages and ancillary buildings according to § 14 Land Use Ordinance are only allowed outside the buildable areas if they maintain a distance of 3 m (approx. 10 ft) from public traffic areas. Fences are exempt from this.
2. Garages and ancillary buildings must keep at least 1 m (approx. 3 ft) distance from water management areas (stormwater retention basins).
§ 1 Roofs
1. Only gable, hip, half-hip, and shed roofs with a minimum pitch of 30° (approx. 54%) are allowed. Ancillary buildings under § 14 Land Use Ordinance are exempt.
2. Shallower roof pitches are permitted if the roofs are designed as green roofs.
3. The ridge must be aligned along the building’s longitudinal axis. For row houses, the longitudinal axis refers to the entire row. Exceptions apply to subordinate building parts, roof structures, garages, and other ancillary buildings under § 14 Land Use Ordinance.
Basic data: Person / House
Style, roof type, building type: hip roof (for bungalow)
Basement, floors: none
Number of occupants, age: currently 32 and 36 (planning for children)
Space requirement ground floor and upper floor: total approx. 120 m² to 140 m² (1300 to 1500 sq ft)
Open kitchen, kitchen island: no
Number of dining seats: at least 4
Fireplace: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: yes, 2 parking spaces (one garage)
Preferred heating technology: gas, photovoltaic
Finances:
Personal price limit for the house including fittings: 350,000 EUR
Current own capital 50,000 EUR (not included in price limit)
If you have to cut back, which details or extras
- can be omitted: basement, bay window, fireplace, walk-in closet
- cannot be omitted: guest WC with shower, garage with extra room (small workshop), underfloor heating, generous utility room
Best regards,
Garlintor
My partner and I are in the process of planning our own home. We would really appreciate any tips and advice.
The construction will take place in Lower Saxony near Hanover. A new residential area is being developed. The cost for land development is expected to be around 175 EUR per m² (approximately $18 per sq ft).
Our desired home is a bungalow with at least 120 m² to 140 m² (1300 to 1500 sq ft). However, this is not a strict requirement. Since the plots are not very large, it is also possible to build a house with 1.5 to 2 floors. The bungalow is mainly considered because living barrier-free in old age is important to us. A “regular” single-family house can of course be renovated later, but we feel it is better to plan for accessibility now.
We want the house to be delivered as a turnkey project (turnkey can mean different things to different people).
At the moment, we are visiting model home parks, looking through catalogs, and talking to local architects and construction companies to decide whether to hire an architect or opt for a solid masonry or prefab house.
Attached are the plot sizes ranging between 500 m² and 560 m² (approximately 5400 to 6000 sq ft). This is challenging for a bungalow but possibly manageable.
Which plot would you consider and what are your thoughts on building a bungalow here?
Some data:
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: see attachment
Site occupancy index (Grundflächenzahl): 0.3
Floor area ratio (Geschossflächenzahl): 0.45
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors allowed: 2
Roof types permitted: gable roof, hip roof, half-hip roof, and shed roofs
Maximum height: 9 m (approximately 30 ft)
Further specifications:
§ 3 Extent of structural use
(Section 9 Paragraph 1 Nos. 3 and 6 Federal Building Code)
Within residential area WA 1, the site occupancy index (Grundflächenzahl) may be exceeded exceptionally on pipe-head plots for access paths.
§ 4 Building height
(Section 18 Land Use Ordinance)
The maximum permitted building height including all roof structures in residential area WA 1 is 9.00 m (approx. 30 ft). Excluded from this are chimneys and antennas.
§ 5 Position of buildings
(Section 9 Paragraph 1 No. 2 Federal Building Code)
1. In the general residential areas WA 1, WA 3, and WA 6, the longitudinal axis of the buildings must be aligned according to the specified position of the building. Garages and ancillary buildings under § 14 Land Use Ordinance are exempt.
2. In WA 1, WA 3, and WA 6, deviations from the specified building position of up to 22° (to the south clockwise) are permitted.
§ 6 Garages and ancillary buildings
(§§ 12, 14, and 22 Paragraph 4 Land Use Ordinance)
1. Garages and ancillary buildings according to § 14 Land Use Ordinance are only allowed outside the buildable areas if they maintain a distance of 3 m (approx. 10 ft) from public traffic areas. Fences are exempt from this.
2. Garages and ancillary buildings must keep at least 1 m (approx. 3 ft) distance from water management areas (stormwater retention basins).
§ 1 Roofs
1. Only gable, hip, half-hip, and shed roofs with a minimum pitch of 30° (approx. 54%) are allowed. Ancillary buildings under § 14 Land Use Ordinance are exempt.
2. Shallower roof pitches are permitted if the roofs are designed as green roofs.
3. The ridge must be aligned along the building’s longitudinal axis. For row houses, the longitudinal axis refers to the entire row. Exceptions apply to subordinate building parts, roof structures, garages, and other ancillary buildings under § 14 Land Use Ordinance.
Basic data: Person / House
Style, roof type, building type: hip roof (for bungalow)
Basement, floors: none
Number of occupants, age: currently 32 and 36 (planning for children)
Space requirement ground floor and upper floor: total approx. 120 m² to 140 m² (1300 to 1500 sq ft)
Open kitchen, kitchen island: no
Number of dining seats: at least 4
Fireplace: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: yes, 2 parking spaces (one garage)
Preferred heating technology: gas, photovoltaic
Finances:
Personal price limit for the house including fittings: 350,000 EUR
Current own capital 50,000 EUR (not included in price limit)
If you have to cut back, which details or extras
- can be omitted: basement, bay window, fireplace, walk-in closet
- cannot be omitted: guest WC with shower, garage with extra room (small workshop), underfloor heating, generous utility room
Best regards,
Garlintor
If you can buy a 600 sqm (6458 sq ft) plot, go for it. Single-story living is never a mistake. The Netherlands is more convenient for pedestrians than the Berchtesgaden area. Clean the gutters, paint the eaves—everything is better in a bungalow. If it suits you, do it. There is no better way to live; the comfort gain compared to a two-story house here is remarkable. And I can still do 30 minutes on the interval stepper, so I’m not disabled. Karsten
[QUOTE="11ant, post: 254085, member: 32750"]
I understand this as an indication that two full stories – even if allowed – were probably not preferred by the authors of the development plan (?)
I agree with you about age. The needs are too different, and nowadays you don’t necessarily build for life, precisely for that reason. However, if it’s possible, it’s also advantageous. I see the 30-degree roof more as a visual issue... the roof becomes way too tall and often doesn’t look attractive.
Regarding floor area ratio and plot ratio, I don’t see a problem with two full stories. For example, on a 500 sqm (5382 sq ft) plot, a two-story house may have a total floor area of 225 sqm (2422 sq ft).
On a 560 sqm (6028 sq ft) lot, you may build on 168 sqm (1808 sq ft) of the plot, which after deducting wall thickness comes down to about 140 sqm (1507 sq ft) net, including the terrace, as @Nordlys roughly calculated.
I understand this as an indication that two full stories – even if allowed – were probably not preferred by the authors of the development plan (?)
I agree with you about age. The needs are too different, and nowadays you don’t necessarily build for life, precisely for that reason. However, if it’s possible, it’s also advantageous. I see the 30-degree roof more as a visual issue... the roof becomes way too tall and often doesn’t look attractive.
Regarding floor area ratio and plot ratio, I don’t see a problem with two full stories. For example, on a 500 sqm (5382 sq ft) plot, a two-story house may have a total floor area of 225 sqm (2422 sq ft).
On a 560 sqm (6028 sq ft) lot, you may build on 168 sqm (1808 sq ft) of the plot, which after deducting wall thickness comes down to about 140 sqm (1507 sq ft) net, including the terrace, as @Nordlys roughly calculated.
Similar topics