ᐅ Determining the size of the building plot – any experiences?

Hello,

I am about to buy a building plot and can decide the size myself. Now I am unsure what to choose.

How many square meters should I take—700, 800, or more or less?

Can someone give me a tip?

Thanks in advance
Best regards

It’s hard to guess, but the important thing is not to be too close to the street or directly adjacent to the neighbors. Another point to consider is the cost, since a plot of land usually costs money, and 10 to 20 square meters (100 to 200 square feet) can make a big difference, which might later be missing or require expensive financing.

And last but not least, a large plot means a big garden, and a big garden means a lot of work or can be quite costly if you hire a gardener.

I have just under 700 square meters (7,500 square feet), and that is big enough for me to manage the garden work.

I have privacy through a hedge, and with a somewhat larger plot, you still can’t completely avoid noise.

If you have the choice, go for the smaller plot of land, since you will also have to pay property tax on the entire area.

Regards

Hello,

I agree with the previous commenters.

Additional notes:
It’s not only important how large the entire plot is, but also the following points:

1. What is the frontage width in meters (feet), meaning how wide is the plot, and consequently, how deep is it?

2. Where is the building area (building envelope), and what are the minimum setback distances?
For example: you may be allowed to place the house boundary 3m (10 feet) from the street at the front, the building area might be 12m (40 feet) deep in total, so you can build the house up to 12m (40 feet) deep. The width depends on the frontage AND whether you want a garage next to it, if it will be a single or double garage, etc.

How does the frontage change if you choose 800 sqm (8600 sq ft) instead of 700 sqm (7500 sq ft)? Not at all? Does only the depth of the plot increase?
How large do you want to build in the short and medium term? How wide and how deep? Do you need a garage? Single or double?

3. Garages can usually be built directly on the “zero line,” meaning with no minimum distance from the neighbor; but it’s best to check the building regulations for your plot.

4. Is the plot rectangular, or does it taper to a point at the front or back?
If possible, always choose a fairly symmetrical, regular-shaped plot. This is easier to build on and manage later, avoiding “dead corners” that can’t be used.

5. What is the orientation of the plot? North-South alignment would be ideal.
If not, how have the neighbors on your left and right built?
Is your south side, for instance, to the right (not ideally at the back facing the garden), and do you want solar panels on the roof? If so, to get enough sunlight—especially in winter when shadows are long—you might need to build all the way to the rear edge of the building area so that the neighbor on the right, who might have built close to the front building line, doesn’t cast a shadow on your roof.

6. Yes, the bigger the plot, the more work and cost it involves, but it also means a larger garden, which can be a comfort rather than just work. I’d base the plot size on your plans and your budget.

Is the building area large enough to later section off parts for an outbuilding—for rental, for children, or to expand your existing house?

Do you want a large garden because you have many plans for it? Fruit trees, a private cozy area (like a swing or garden bench) for you and your partner, a barbecue corner, an herb garden, a flower area, a small maze with a secret “palace” in the middle, greenhouse(s), a lawn for sunbathing and relaxing, a play area for children, perhaps a future wellness area with sauna or steam bath for you and your partner, etc.

Or do you need space for ground collectors, a rainwater cistern, and so on?

What is the view like, front and back?
Is it worthwhile to have extra depth because it brings you closer to something nice? Or would you be closer to a noisy, polluted, or unsightly road or to a neighbor’s property that could spoil your view?

If you don’t buy the land adjacent to the plot, who will?
Could it be that this small piece behind your garden, where you want quiet, will later belong to someone who might make noise or block your view?

And so on, there is so much to consider that without more information about your plot and situation, no definite advice can be given.

We are about to buy a 1,200 sqm (13,000 sq ft) plot (smaller would have been possible but in a less favorable location/orientation, harder and therefore more expensive to build on, so combined with the house costs, it would have ended up about the same… so better to take the bigger plot, which is more expensive but much nicer).

We had to think about all these things because our south-facing side is diagonally to the upper right, almost mid-right, so we have to build deep because of the solar panels. This costs us some depth on the plot, but later we can build something at the front, and it is wide enough to fit a double garage, etc.

It might be good to ask an architect in your case.

And of course, reflect yourself—consider not only your short- and medium-term goals but also those for later in life!

Make a sketch with the building area, neighbor setbacks, plot position; look at photos showing views in all directions; draw in where the house and garage could be, your garden shed, tea pavilion, terrace, flowers, trees, etc.

Then things might become clearer.

At least this helped me a lot and moved my planning forward!

Best regards