ᐅ Energy-Efficient Home Renovation: Is Involving an Architect Beneficial?
Created on: 22 Jan 2025 21:31
C
ChriLenaMZ
Hello everyone,
We want to carry out an energy retrofit on a house from the 1970s. The house is in its original condition. It has a full floor, a basement, and a converted attic. The living area is approximately 180 m2 (1,940 sq ft). The basement adds another 120 m2 (1,290 sq ft). Part of the basement is planned to be converted into a separate apartment (some rooms are already partially finished for residential use).
We aim to renovate to KfW 70 EE standard (KfW 261) and already have a preliminary approval certificate. For the separate apartment, we need a building permit / planning permission. We want to make only minor changes to the floor plan. We do not require an architect for the interior work.
I have read the building guide from ant11, which focuses specifically on new construction. Naturally, the simplest approach would be to commission all phases of service from an architect. I have contacted one architect regarding this (I understand more should be contacted for quotes), and their fee was quoted at €60,000. I find this extremely expensive. Therefore, I wonder if it is worth the cost?
In which areas is it essential to hire an architect, and why? Where could you potentially save that expense? What would be a good value-for-money solution?
This is about the energy-related measures: window replacement, roof insulation, facade insulation, basement floor insulation, and perimeter insulation.
It is very important for us to have expert supervision on site to ensure the work is carried out correctly. We are not able to assess this ourselves. But does this necessarily have to be an architect?
What is your general recommendation for renovations?
I am sure some details are missing that I haven’t considered. Just let me know, and I will provide them.
Thank you for your responses.
We want to carry out an energy retrofit on a house from the 1970s. The house is in its original condition. It has a full floor, a basement, and a converted attic. The living area is approximately 180 m2 (1,940 sq ft). The basement adds another 120 m2 (1,290 sq ft). Part of the basement is planned to be converted into a separate apartment (some rooms are already partially finished for residential use).
We aim to renovate to KfW 70 EE standard (KfW 261) and already have a preliminary approval certificate. For the separate apartment, we need a building permit / planning permission. We want to make only minor changes to the floor plan. We do not require an architect for the interior work.
I have read the building guide from ant11, which focuses specifically on new construction. Naturally, the simplest approach would be to commission all phases of service from an architect. I have contacted one architect regarding this (I understand more should be contacted for quotes), and their fee was quoted at €60,000. I find this extremely expensive. Therefore, I wonder if it is worth the cost?
In which areas is it essential to hire an architect, and why? Where could you potentially save that expense? What would be a good value-for-money solution?
This is about the energy-related measures: window replacement, roof insulation, facade insulation, basement floor insulation, and perimeter insulation.
It is very important for us to have expert supervision on site to ensure the work is carried out correctly. We are not able to assess this ourselves. But does this necessarily have to be an architect?
What is your general recommendation for renovations?
I am sure some details are missing that I haven’t considered. Just let me know, and I will provide them.
Thank you for your responses.
ChriLenaMZ schrieb:
We want to energetically renovate a house from the 1970s. The house is in its original condition. It has a full story, a basement, and a converted attic. The living area is about 180 m2 (1,940 sq ft). The basement adds another 120 m2 (1,290 sq ft). Part of the basement is planned to be converted into a separate apartment (some rooms are already partially finished for residential use).
We want to renovate to KfW 70 EE standard (KfW 261) and already have a feasibility study for it. For the separate apartment, we will need a building permit / planning permission. We plan only minor changes to the floor plan. For the interior work, we do not need an architect. […]
The focus is on the energy-related measures: window replacement, roof, facade, basement floor, and perimeter insulation.
It is very important to us to have expertise on site, meaning an expert who supervises that the work is carried out correctly. We cannot evaluate that ourselves. But does this necessarily have to be an architect?When renovating an existing building, you need an architect almost more than for new construction—especially to stay within budget. The best site manager (without quotation marks) is the architect who “designed” the renovation. However, I am happy to advise on which specialist you need for what.ChriLenaMZ schrieb:
I have read the house construction guide by ant11, which focuses specifically on new builds. According to that, it would of course be easiest to commission all service phases. I have already contacted one architect for this (I realize you should request quotes from more than one) and was quoted €60,000. I find that extremely expensive. So I am wondering if it is worth the money?
At which points should you definitely plan to involve an architect and why? Where could you maybe save on one? What would be a good price/performance solution?
What is your general recommendation for renovations?There cannot be a general recommendation; as you should have realized from reading the construction roadmap, there is no "one size fits all" or standard blueprint. That’s why the basic series is continued with the "Reloaded" editions. Also, at the top of the page, there is information on how to contact ant11 personally—just so you know, because the renovation guide is still forthcoming. The most expensive service phase (phase 5) is at the same time the most cost-effective. I am happy to help you find the right combination of architect, builder, and building surveyor. Just get in touch (and don’t forget you can never start too early—I unfortunately have waiting times like a medical specialist, and while I don’t know the calendars of the other professionals, I don’t expect much difference, since their market is similar).It has already been mentioned here that insufficient ceiling height can be an obstacle to converting storage rooms into living space—I hope your financing does not depend on renting these out.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
There are already several threads about basement apartments. Unless it is a walk-out basement on a slope with terrace doors, it doesn’t make sense. Who would live there? Mrs. Mole? For good reason, a basement is not considered living space. Painting the walls or changing its designation won’t make it one.
C
ChriLenaMZ23 Jan 2025 12:02K a t j a schrieb:
There are already several threads about basement apartments. Unless it is a basement partially built into a slope with terrace doors at ground level, it doesn’t make sense. Who would live there? Mrs. Mole? For good reason, a basement is not considered living space. Painting the walls or changing the designation won’t change that. I am happy to answer the questions: The house is located on a sloping site, so one half consists of traditional basement rooms and the other half of partially converted living spaces. There is a ground-level entrance as well as standard-sized windows. We are not financially dependent on renting out the space. The second living unit is being created primarily for subsidy-related reasons. The gender of potential tenants does not matter, nor does their last name. Mrs. Mole would therefore be very welcome.
N
nordanney23 Jan 2025 12:06ChriLenaMZ schrieb:
We are building the second residential unit mainly for funding reasons.If you ever calculate whether it’s really worth it—it rarely is. It’s usually better to just convert it for private use and use it as living space for yourself or your children.C
ChriLenaMZ23 Jan 2025 21:49nordanney schrieb:
You should calculate whether it’s really worth it. It’s rarely the case – more likely to be developed privately and used as a living space-like area for yourself or your children. Why do you think it’s not worth it? You get a double low-interest loan, double repayment subsidies, and additionally more living space in the house, which directly increases the resale value. Let’s say the separate apartment costs us an extra €100,000 (this number is just an estimate). Then I have created 70 m2 (750 sq ft) of living space for only €1,430/m2 (€133/sq ft), and the benefits mentioned above are not even factored in yet.
N
nordanney23 Jan 2025 21:53ChriLenaMZ schrieb:
Let’s say the granny flat costs us an additional €100,000 (this number is just an example). That means I created 70 m2 (750 sq ft) of living space for only €1,430/m2 (€133 per sq ft), and that doesn’t even include the advantages mentioned above.And that’s exactly what you need to calculate—whether it’s worth it or if you should just build a standard layout. Or whether renting it out makes financial sense. If you’re not renting it out, you don’t really need proper living space.
Similar topics