ᐅ Increasing ceiling height to add value? Until when is it possible to change the ceiling height?

What ceiling height do you have, and would you choose the same again?

We planned for 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in) on the ground floor and 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) on the upper floor (height measured after floor structure).

Is a higher ceiling considered to add value when reselling? Is there a trend toward higher ceilings in house construction, or are about 90% of builders satisfied with a ceiling height of around 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)?

Our documents have already been forwarded to the surveyor. Would the surveyor need to know about a ceiling height increase at this stage, or can this still be done after the surveyor’s work but before completion or submission of the building permit / planning permission?

They each have 2.80 meters (9 feet 2 inches). I don’t believe this adds value for a typical single-family home. In certain segments, however, a high ceiling is usually expected.

Although I tend to be a quiet reader, I worked my way through your extensive thread and have a few brief thoughts:

1. It has to suit your needs. You can also plan too high and end up feeling uncomfortable.
2. Please try not to make many more changes. You remind me a bit of the builder who made last-minute adjustments and, for example, after raising the height, the lintels no longer fit...

Shiny86 schrieb:

What ceiling height do you have, and would you choose the same again?

For our first house, we had a ceiling height of 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in), and now it’s 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in). Those 20 cm (8 inches) make a big difference, especially in the large living-dining area; it simply looks much better. During the renovation of our first house, we drove back and forth between the two houses every day, and the low ceiling really stood out—it felt quite oppressive. I would always choose a higher ceiling, although 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in) is perfectly sufficient for me; it doesn’t need to be any taller.

Best regards,
Sabine

Shiny86 schrieb:

Should already be aware of this from a ceiling height increase

If the person responsible for preparing the site plan was involved and the top edge of the finished floor level, eaves height, and/or building height change, then yes. Additionally, if your house is not a residential building of building class 1 or 2 with no more than three above-ground floors (§6 Building Code NRW), the spacing requirements (setback distances) will also change.

Shiny86 schrieb:

Is a higher ceiling considered added value when it comes to resale?

In general, it is seen as a positive feature. A ceiling height of 2.50 m (8 feet 2 inches) in a spacious single-family home with large rooms would definitely be a drawback, as it does not match the house’s proportions (it feels cramped). In a terraced house, this height would be normal.

To be honest, nowadays I wouldn’t build ceilings at 2.50 m (8 feet 2 inches) anymore, just like many no longer install 2 m (6 feet 7 inches) tall doors. Ceiling heights of 2.65–2.70 m (8 feet 8 inches–8 feet 10 inches) on the ground floor are appropriate. Doors of 2.20 m (7 feet 3 inches) then fit well with that.