ᐅ Comparison of Solid (Masonry) Houses and Prefabricated Houses
Created on: 29 Aug 2012 13:32
V
VanTide
Hello everyone,
we are currently planning a 140 m² (1,507 ft²) house on a 500 m² (5,382 ft²) plot of land.
There are only two providers left in the running: one prefab house supplier and one traditional masonry builder.
We want to build with an air-to-water heat pump and underfloor heating, including a 4 kW photovoltaic system to balance out electricity costs in the long term.
The prefab house provider builds to the KfW 55 standard and estimates monthly operating costs for the heat pump at 35 euros.
The masonry builder uses conventional bricks and advises against insulation according to the KfW 70 standard, which would cost 12,000 euros more. Their argument is that heat pump costs would be around 65 euros per month, and with KfW 70 insulation, only about 6 euros per month could be saved. To recover the 12,000 euro investment, it would take 200 months, so it is not worthwhile.
What is your opinion on this topic? Do you have any experience, and how do you assess my approach? Would you plan the house differently?
Thank you very much and good luck,
Andre
we are currently planning a 140 m² (1,507 ft²) house on a 500 m² (5,382 ft²) plot of land.
There are only two providers left in the running: one prefab house supplier and one traditional masonry builder.
We want to build with an air-to-water heat pump and underfloor heating, including a 4 kW photovoltaic system to balance out electricity costs in the long term.
The prefab house provider builds to the KfW 55 standard and estimates monthly operating costs for the heat pump at 35 euros.
The masonry builder uses conventional bricks and advises against insulation according to the KfW 70 standard, which would cost 12,000 euros more. Their argument is that heat pump costs would be around 65 euros per month, and with KfW 70 insulation, only about 6 euros per month could be saved. To recover the 12,000 euro investment, it would take 200 months, so it is not worthwhile.
What is your opinion on this topic? Do you have any experience, and how do you assess my approach? Would you plan the house differently?
Thank you very much and good luck,
Andre
If you compare a good prefabricated house with a good solid brick-and-mortar house, and invest the same level of maintenance, your house will definitely last as long as you live.
We are talking about houses that have already stood for more than 50 years… How sensible is it today to invest a lot of money into such a property? From an energy-efficiency perspective, most of them are completely outdated.
What standards will we have in 50 years?
I would say both construction methods are basically equal. Both solid and prefab houses suffer from moisture issues. So, preventing this is crucial.
Regarding resale value, unfortunately, solid houses are generally rated better by banks—no matter what type of prefabricated house you build. However, it is just as problematic nowadays to build a house without a basement 😀
We built a prefabricated house and would definitely do it again.
We are talking about houses that have already stood for more than 50 years… How sensible is it today to invest a lot of money into such a property? From an energy-efficiency perspective, most of them are completely outdated.
What standards will we have in 50 years?
I would say both construction methods are basically equal. Both solid and prefab houses suffer from moisture issues. So, preventing this is crucial.
Regarding resale value, unfortunately, solid houses are generally rated better by banks—no matter what type of prefabricated house you build. However, it is just as problematic nowadays to build a house without a basement 😀
We built a prefabricated house and would definitely do it again.
I am currently building a prefabricated house, and almost everything is included except for floor coverings and excavation work. Everything else is covered (foundation slab, walls, roof, beams, heating, etc.), and I am paying around 210,000 euros.
I am not building with a cheap manufacturer but with one that was recommended by the Homeowners’ Protection Association.
I am not building with a cheap manufacturer but with one that was recommended by the Homeowners’ Protection Association.
You can roughly estimate the following:
Turnkey house with slab foundation: 210,000 euros
Detached garage 10 x 3 m (33 x 10 feet): 10,000 euros
Excavation work, cistern, piping: 18,000 euros
Land: xxx euros
Miscellaneous: another 20,000 euros
Then you’re all set.
Regarding the value comparison between solid construction and prefabricated houses, I can only say that I know someone working in a field with a very broad perspective. They told me that in the coming years, processes will be developed to completely renovate prefabricated houses after 60–70 years through simple refurbishment. That means your children could one day buy a complete renovation of the exterior walls for, say, 30,000 euros.
There might also be new materials in the future that are thin yet provide strong insulation. You can confidently rely on the German industry and craftsmanship for this. With prefabricated houses, you can’t go wrong. However, as mentioned, don’t buy from budget providers but rather from premium ones. Consumer protection organizations can surely offer advice on this.
Turnkey house with slab foundation: 210,000 euros
Detached garage 10 x 3 m (33 x 10 feet): 10,000 euros
Excavation work, cistern, piping: 18,000 euros
Land: xxx euros
Miscellaneous: another 20,000 euros
Then you’re all set.
Regarding the value comparison between solid construction and prefabricated houses, I can only say that I know someone working in a field with a very broad perspective. They told me that in the coming years, processes will be developed to completely renovate prefabricated houses after 60–70 years through simple refurbishment. That means your children could one day buy a complete renovation of the exterior walls for, say, 30,000 euros.
There might also be new materials in the future that are thin yet provide strong insulation. You can confidently rely on the German industry and craftsmanship for this. With prefabricated houses, you can’t go wrong. However, as mentioned, don’t buy from budget providers but rather from premium ones. Consumer protection organizations can surely offer advice on this.
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