ᐅ Clarification Question Regarding Construction Costs

Hello everyone,

We are currently researching the topic of building a house, or rather (since we do not yet have a plot of land in sight), the rough costs. I often read about the calculation of 2,000 € x square meter. What exactly is included in this figure, and what is not? As I understand it, the following additional cost blocks are likely to come on top of the house itself:

- Architect fees / general contractor
- Additional construction-related costs

- Kitchen
- Painting / flooring (or are these already included above?)
- Possible basement
- Extra features such as a fireplace, ventilation system, KNX, etc.

Would bathroom fixtures (excluding bathroom furniture) and underfloor heating be included in the 2,000, or would these also be additional costs? Just so I know how big the disappointment will be

Many thanks for any clarification

You will hear different opinions on this. $2,000 per square meter is just a rough estimate anyway.

For us, the $2,000 mark is roughly accurate. We ended up slightly below that, and included in our costs are: bathroom fixtures including bathroom furniture, underfloor heating, electric shutters or blinds, some smart home features, painting work (Q2 plaster sanded again, larger blemishes also filled, painter’s fleece and professional painting), flooring work (110 sqm (1,184 sq ft) parquet at 63 euros plus installation costs), 60 sqm (646 sq ft) vinyl flooring installed by ourselves, 70 sqm (753 sq ft) tiling including bathrooms, two walk-in showers, an expensive porch roof, glass railings for stairs and the gallery, KfW 55 energy standard built with solid construction.

We do not have a fireplace or a ventilation system.

Overall, I think our price per square meter decreases due to the relatively large size of the house (240 sqm (2,583 sq ft)). I would say that at $2,000 per square meter, you get some extras but it’s not exactly a luxury finish. However, the location of the build will have a major impact.

We are currently building, and our house will cost about 325,000. It is difficult to break down the cost per square meter precisely. We have 130 m² (1,400 sq ft) of living space, plus approximately 30 m² (320 sq ft) of attic, which will be mostly finished (no plastering, painting, or flooring yet). Included is a masonry-built double garage measuring 6 × 9 m (20 × 30 ft) and the materials for floors and wallpaper. The price also covers earthworks and drainage, as well as a ventilation system, air-to-water heat pump, underfloor heating, electric roller shutters, and a photovoltaic system. Additionally, architect fees, structural engineering, utility connections, outdoor landscaping, kitchen, etc. are included.
I hope this helps you a bit.

A major item you haven’t mentioned yet is the exterior landscaping. That will, of course, add to the costs, and the range can be quite wide—from about 15,000 euros (or equivalent) if you do it yourself, up to unlimited expenses.

For us, it’s 130 sqm (1400 sq ft) for a total of 400,000, so far from the 2000 per sqm (186 per sq ft) often mentioned here. It probably depends a lot on the region.

Four years ago, fully committed at €1,450 per sqm (about $135 per sqft). Catchment area Düsseldorf/Lower Rhine.
A lot of own work, and the house can speak many languages.