ᐅ Cost Estimate Architect Single-Family Home. Your Assessment?
Created on: 3 Apr 2015 12:35
T
Tommes78
Hello everyone,
I have a question for you. We bought a plot of land (NRW) with a slight slope and recently visited an architect to have a single-family house designed with great enthusiasm.
During our first meeting, we mentioned a budget of around €260,000 for the house, including everything. He said that we could get something nice for that budget.
At the second appointment, he really presented a nice design. He responded to the sloped plot and planned a kind of split-level house with two building volumes and two shed roofs.
The planned house has an area of 146 m² (1570 ft²) of living space on the ground and upper floors, plus 24 m² (260 ft²) of utility space, totaling 170 m² (1830 ft²) of total area.
Now, the architect made a cost estimate, and he said he calculated with a medium standard. The cost framework according to BKI for 260 to 410 m³ (9200 to 14,500 ft³) of enclosed volume was estimated at 350 m³ (12,400 ft³).
The cost estimate states 763.53 m³ (26,950 ft³) × €350 per m³ (27 per ft³) = €267,236 + carport 72 m³ (2540 ft³) × €100 per m³ (7.44 per ft³) = €7,218 = a total construction cost of €274,455 excluding incidental building costs.
Or broken down differently:
Site preparation and connection: €4,600
Cost group 300 – Building structure: €222,280
Cost group 400 – Technical equipment: €45,180 (oil heating, ventilation system)
Outdoor facilities + carport: €10,000 (which I find a bit low)
Incidental building costs: €41,188
This brings us to a total of €323,000 including VAT.
We were a bit shocked, since our initial budget was €260,000, and going over by around €60,000 seems quite a lot. €280,000 is our absolute limit.
Of course, we still want to contribute some usual DIY work in the end (tiling, flooring, painting, landscaping, interior finishing), but that would probably save at most €15,000 to €20,000.
What do you think? Are those really the amounts you have to pay today, or has the architect perhaps estimated too generously or conservatively? Or is the planned house simply too upscale?
For comparison, we received a fixed-price offer from a general contractor that was quite high-end. There, a house with a gable roof and 160 m² (1720 ft²) (without attic space) was offered for €250,000, excluding basement, ventilation system, and outdoor facilities. But in that case, the plot would have had to be leveled.
Looking forward to your feedback.
Best regards,
Thomas
I have a question for you. We bought a plot of land (NRW) with a slight slope and recently visited an architect to have a single-family house designed with great enthusiasm.
During our first meeting, we mentioned a budget of around €260,000 for the house, including everything. He said that we could get something nice for that budget.
At the second appointment, he really presented a nice design. He responded to the sloped plot and planned a kind of split-level house with two building volumes and two shed roofs.
The planned house has an area of 146 m² (1570 ft²) of living space on the ground and upper floors, plus 24 m² (260 ft²) of utility space, totaling 170 m² (1830 ft²) of total area.
Now, the architect made a cost estimate, and he said he calculated with a medium standard. The cost framework according to BKI for 260 to 410 m³ (9200 to 14,500 ft³) of enclosed volume was estimated at 350 m³ (12,400 ft³).
The cost estimate states 763.53 m³ (26,950 ft³) × €350 per m³ (27 per ft³) = €267,236 + carport 72 m³ (2540 ft³) × €100 per m³ (7.44 per ft³) = €7,218 = a total construction cost of €274,455 excluding incidental building costs.
Or broken down differently:
Site preparation and connection: €4,600
Cost group 300 – Building structure: €222,280
Cost group 400 – Technical equipment: €45,180 (oil heating, ventilation system)
Outdoor facilities + carport: €10,000 (which I find a bit low)
Incidental building costs: €41,188
This brings us to a total of €323,000 including VAT.
We were a bit shocked, since our initial budget was €260,000, and going over by around €60,000 seems quite a lot. €280,000 is our absolute limit.
Of course, we still want to contribute some usual DIY work in the end (tiling, flooring, painting, landscaping, interior finishing), but that would probably save at most €15,000 to €20,000.
What do you think? Are those really the amounts you have to pay today, or has the architect perhaps estimated too generously or conservatively? Or is the planned house simply too upscale?
For comparison, we received a fixed-price offer from a general contractor that was quite high-end. There, a house with a gable roof and 160 m² (1720 ft²) (without attic space) was offered for €250,000, excluding basement, ventilation system, and outdoor facilities. But in that case, the plot would have had to be leveled.
Looking forward to your feedback.
Best regards,
Thomas
As others have already mentioned, it is difficult to comment without floor plans, a site plan, and more details about the fittings. However, I get the impression that the architect is somewhat "running wild," so you need to put some limits on him accordingly.
From a distance, I find the overall cost estimate significantly too high/generous. The item 400 (heating, etc.) alone is quite high at 45,000.
Have you checked the zoning plan to see if it even allows building a single-pitch roof house (also known as a mono-pitched or shed roof)?
From a distance, I find the overall cost estimate significantly too high/generous. The item 400 (heating, etc.) alone is quite high at 45,000.
Have you checked the zoning plan to see if it even allows building a single-pitch roof house (also known as a mono-pitched or shed roof)?
B
Bauexperte3 Apr 2015 15:57Tommes78 schrieb:
I hope I managed to explain this somewhat clearly without any plans?! If what I’m interpreting from your description now matches reality: yes.
Tommes78 schrieb:
Can you say anything about the costs? Are they realistic? I won’t know until I see the drafts and the floor plan. A shed roof is not just any shed roof; for example, a butterfly roof is basically a shed roof but slants in the opposite direction and is significantly more expensive. Also, I’m not sure how to interpret your comment about “2 building volumes” at this point.
I’d rather wait to estimate until you post the plans online; I assume it’s not too stressful for you, or are you planning to sign the construction contract tomorrow?
Easter greetings
B
Bauexperte3 Apr 2015 15:59marv45 schrieb:
Have you checked the development plan to see if a single-pitch roof house is even allowed there? If necessary, it will be classified as a "pitched roof."
Best regards from Austria
But could the 350m³ (12,360 cubic feet) per enclosed space volume be set too high, or, as someone already mentioned, are the technical installations possibly overestimated as well?
Regarding the shed roof, we are allowed to build that. We have freedom in the design since it is not located in a new development area.
And no, it doesn’t resemble the 2002 studio. The house is arranged in an L-shape. From the front, there is one story with two stories to the left. It’s hard to explain.
As I said, my main concern is the cost estimation in general and whether it makes sense. I just find it very high.
Regarding the shed roof, we are allowed to build that. We have freedom in the design since it is not located in a new development area.
And no, it doesn’t resemble the 2002 studio. The house is arranged in an L-shape. From the front, there is one story with two stories to the left. It’s hard to explain.
As I said, my main concern is the cost estimation in general and whether it makes sense. I just find it very high.
W
Wanderdüne3 Apr 2015 18:33As I understand the description, the building structure seems somewhat more complex, so I don't initially consider the stated amount to be too high; however, the landscaping costs are clearly underestimated. Your architect owes you a plan that stays within the budget, and since this is only the first draft, there is no reason to panic. However, it is unfortunate for both parties if the first draft is knowingly discarded.
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