ᐅ Feedback on Floor Plan – Are Size and Price Acceptable?
Created on: 28 Apr 2020 09:19
J
JohannFugger
Hello dear house building forum,
After a promising start working with our architect, there has been a significant drop in performance lately, and we’re no longer sure if he is really doing his best to achieve the optimal result for us.
--> Time for the house building forum!
Attached are the floor plans for the granny flat, first floor, attic, and exterior views.
Where we started / Basic information:
- Single-family home with shared wall – one child (10)
- Slightly sloped site – ideal for a small granny flat for later use by our child or for rental
- Roof pitch 38° – gable roof
- South-facing slope
- Plot approx. 650sqm (7000 sqft)
- The small extension at the rear living area on the ground floor came about because the neighbors want to build a noticeably longer house, so we’re trying to visually soften the resulting wall at our terrace
- My wife had a slipped disc, so we decided to plan a laundry chute from the basement to the first floor. The washing machines should definitely stay in the basement
- We are currently planning a simple gas heating system, photovoltaic system, and central mechanical ventilation with heat recovery
- Gas fireplace
- Open-plan design
Our main concerns at the moment:
- Is the size appropriate? On the plans, it all looks quite nice, but when the architect estimates a price of 545,000 EUR, it makes us wonder if everything really adds up. (The building plot also had to be paid for)
- Do you find the exterior look harmonious and balanced?
- Do you think a wardrobe of this size on the first floor is sufficient?
- We have currently commissioned the architect only up to phase 4 – do you think it makes sense to have him carry out the other construction phases as well, or should we rather hire an external construction expert? Phases 5 to 9 alone would cost another 45,000 EUR, which seems quite high to me.
We are already looking forward to your feedback and an open discussion!
Best regards
JohannFugger
After a promising start working with our architect, there has been a significant drop in performance lately, and we’re no longer sure if he is really doing his best to achieve the optimal result for us.
--> Time for the house building forum!
Attached are the floor plans for the granny flat, first floor, attic, and exterior views.
Where we started / Basic information:
- Single-family home with shared wall – one child (10)
- Slightly sloped site – ideal for a small granny flat for later use by our child or for rental
- Roof pitch 38° – gable roof
- South-facing slope
- Plot approx. 650sqm (7000 sqft)
- The small extension at the rear living area on the ground floor came about because the neighbors want to build a noticeably longer house, so we’re trying to visually soften the resulting wall at our terrace
- My wife had a slipped disc, so we decided to plan a laundry chute from the basement to the first floor. The washing machines should definitely stay in the basement
- We are currently planning a simple gas heating system, photovoltaic system, and central mechanical ventilation with heat recovery
- Gas fireplace
- Open-plan design
Our main concerns at the moment:
- Is the size appropriate? On the plans, it all looks quite nice, but when the architect estimates a price of 545,000 EUR, it makes us wonder if everything really adds up. (The building plot also had to be paid for)
- Do you find the exterior look harmonious and balanced?
- Do you think a wardrobe of this size on the first floor is sufficient?
- We have currently commissioned the architect only up to phase 4 – do you think it makes sense to have him carry out the other construction phases as well, or should we rather hire an external construction expert? Phases 5 to 9 alone would cost another 45,000 EUR, which seems quite high to me.
We are already looking forward to your feedback and an open discussion!
Best regards
JohannFugger
M
Matthew0328 Apr 2020 15:26Please reconsider this plan; cutting off parts here and there simply never works.
Cancel the granny flat! Seriously, just do it. You’re welcome—you’ll thank me later.
As has already been pointed out here: a 10-year-old son only needs about 15-20 sq m (160-215 sq ft), he doesn’t need his own separate apartment within the house! It’s well intended, but then he wants to study in Hamburg or Munich at 20, so what then? Renting it out, as mentioned, is no miracle solution—please make sure to research the topic thoroughly.
Create a new floor plan, @kaho674, and others might be able to help too. They do a great job, at least to provide ideas...
Start roughly with the basement (or lower ground floor) having living/cooking/dining areas facing the terrace, the technical rooms on the side of the slope, and the bedrooms and bathroom upstairs.
Cancel the granny flat! Seriously, just do it. You’re welcome—you’ll thank me later.
As has already been pointed out here: a 10-year-old son only needs about 15-20 sq m (160-215 sq ft), he doesn’t need his own separate apartment within the house! It’s well intended, but then he wants to study in Hamburg or Munich at 20, so what then? Renting it out, as mentioned, is no miracle solution—please make sure to research the topic thoroughly.
Create a new floor plan, @kaho674, and others might be able to help too. They do a great job, at least to provide ideas...
Start roughly with the basement (or lower ground floor) having living/cooking/dining areas facing the terrace, the technical rooms on the side of the slope, and the bedrooms and bathroom upstairs.
Has a structural engineer given their input yet?
Their assessment can add tens of thousands more to the cost. This was the case for us, even with soil class 5–6.
20,000 (20k) for the landscaping is enough for grass seed, driveway, front yard, terrace, and some greenery on a level plot when doing some work yourself.
I believe we spent over 6,000 (6k) in the last two years just on earthworks. Filling and compacting the driveway must have been about 5,000 (5k).
30,000 (30k) for a garage built into a slope is not enough. I would expect more like 50,000 (50k).
How I would divide the budget I have already shared. Be sure to plan a step-free access to the garden. Wheelbarrows and hand trucks make life a lot easier.
Their assessment can add tens of thousands more to the cost. This was the case for us, even with soil class 5–6.
20,000 (20k) for the landscaping is enough for grass seed, driveway, front yard, terrace, and some greenery on a level plot when doing some work yourself.
I believe we spent over 6,000 (6k) in the last two years just on earthworks. Filling and compacting the driveway must have been about 5,000 (5k).
30,000 (30k) for a garage built into a slope is not enough. I would expect more like 50,000 (50k).
How I would divide the budget I have already shared. Be sure to plan a step-free access to the garden. Wheelbarrows and hand trucks make life a lot easier.
This isn’t the first time that the architects have completely lost control with their proposals. My respect for freelancers has hit rock bottom by now. Of course, we mainly see the problem cases here on the forum. Still, I am shocked. If the client naïvely scrapes together the money and hits “start,” they could potentially be financially ruined. And the architect knows this perfectly well. Pure greed for profit. This is an outrageous breach of trust. I would immediately terminate everything with them just for that.
A
Alessandro29 Apr 2020 09:03In my case, a budget of 500,000 including additional construction costs and high-quality fittings was sufficient.
- 200 sqm (2,150 sq ft) living space
- solid construction
- no basement
- 2 full floors
- hipped roof
- including a masonry carport for 33,000
- in Central Hesse
- no personal labor
The property has an elevation difference of 2.8 m (9 ft) over 29 m (95 ft).
- 200 sqm (2,150 sq ft) living space
- solid construction
- no basement
- 2 full floors
- hipped roof
- including a masonry carport for 33,000
- in Central Hesse
- no personal labor
The property has an elevation difference of 2.8 m (9 ft) over 29 m (95 ft).
J
JohannFugger29 Apr 2020 09:16So dear forum, thanks again for all the feedback and ideas. As I mentioned before, I think we need to go back to the drawing board. Anything else would be unwise. I was designing late into the night yesterday (Sweet Home 3D). So far, nothing presentable has come out of it. If there is interest, I would keep you updated...
Best regards
JohannFugger
Best regards
JohannFugger
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