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 13:34It's a pity that you didn’t address the questions about the necessity of the granny flat and the remaining 200 sqm (2,153 sq ft) for "only" three people... If you’re looking for help and suggestions for a fresh start, providing more detailed information is essential.
Often, I and others have pointed out that building a granny flat solely for rental income to help finance the construction is generally a bad idea—it rarely pays off.
Additionally, more efficient floor plans are possible even with 30 sqm (323 sq ft) less. Overall, this represents significant saving potential; with a budget of 450k, you could make good use of that.
Often, I and others have pointed out that building a granny flat solely for rental income to help finance the construction is generally a bad idea—it rarely pays off.
Additionally, more efficient floor plans are possible even with 30 sqm (323 sq ft) less. Overall, this represents significant saving potential; with a budget of 450k, you could make good use of that.
M
Matthew0328 Apr 2020 13:35Tamstar schrieb:
This is a demotivating thread.
Many want to help here, and there are several good suggestions/questions, but the original poster only gives one-word answers to out-of-context comments. You were quicker there
Wow... was this really designed by an architect? I can hardly believe it.
At first glance, it actually looks quite nice, but on a closer look, you start to wonder.
The living and dining area is 100m² (1,076 sq ft), yet it hardly feels spacious—basically wasted space. In contrast, the entrance area is tiny, more like that of a 100m² (1,076 sq ft) suburban house. The void above is completely pointless because there’s no window beside or above it—just a hole in the ceiling, partly above the dining table.
The poor tenant sleeps in darkness since the terrace is right above their small window, and the thin walls let the heater noise through, along with the clattering sounds when someone goes for a beer. Watching TV means facing the street, and the kitchen is in the dark.
The walk-in closet upstairs is totally useless. The bathroom, which is a surprisingly large 15m² (161 sq ft), feels more like a guest toilet—even a bathtub won’t fit. A 50m² (538 sq ft) kids’ room... well, opinions will vary on that one, and no one can use the 12m² (129 sq ft) hallway either.
The house could easily be made just as large but with half the floor area.
And as already mentioned, the estimated costs are a joke. Just the garage door with the custom-built waste container costs more than half the shell construction of other houses. The landscaping, building on a slope—all very expensive.
All in, you might be looking at 800k, but a million would be safer. Unless the house is near Munich or Nuremberg, then you should probably add even more.
At first glance, it actually looks quite nice, but on a closer look, you start to wonder.
The living and dining area is 100m² (1,076 sq ft), yet it hardly feels spacious—basically wasted space. In contrast, the entrance area is tiny, more like that of a 100m² (1,076 sq ft) suburban house. The void above is completely pointless because there’s no window beside or above it—just a hole in the ceiling, partly above the dining table.
The poor tenant sleeps in darkness since the terrace is right above their small window, and the thin walls let the heater noise through, along with the clattering sounds when someone goes for a beer. Watching TV means facing the street, and the kitchen is in the dark.
The walk-in closet upstairs is totally useless. The bathroom, which is a surprisingly large 15m² (161 sq ft), feels more like a guest toilet—even a bathtub won’t fit. A 50m² (538 sq ft) kids’ room... well, opinions will vary on that one, and no one can use the 12m² (129 sq ft) hallway either.
The house could easily be made just as large but with half the floor area.
And as already mentioned, the estimated costs are a joke. Just the garage door with the custom-built waste container costs more than half the shell construction of other houses. The landscaping, building on a slope—all very expensive.
All in, you might be looking at 800k, but a million would be safer. Unless the house is near Munich or Nuremberg, then you should probably add even more.
I don’t even know @Lumpi_LE in real life, and we’re definitely not related – just to clarify before anyone suggests we’re identical twins.
It’s rare that I’ve ever thought so thoroughly and spontaneously, “wow, that’s harshly written,” but unfortunately, every criticized fact in it is solid and irrefutable.
But to avoid shocking the original poster too much, I’ll highlight the positive message in it:
If that’s not a phrase where every end contains a new beginning, then what is?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
It’s rare that I’ve ever thought so thoroughly and spontaneously, “wow, that’s harshly written,” but unfortunately, every criticized fact in it is solid and irrefutable.
But to avoid shocking the original poster too much, I’ll highlight the positive message in it:
Lumpi_LE schrieb:
You can cleverly design the house to be the same size with half the footprint.
If that’s not a phrase where every end contains a new beginning, then what is?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
J
JohannFugger28 Apr 2020 14:10Solveigh schrieb:
But please don’t bury your head in the sand, there have already been some great suggestions here in such a short time that could be implemented. Tamstar schrieb:
@JohannFugger don’t just bury your head in the sand right away, give some reasonable answers and this could really take off. Or is this project done for you now? No – but I understand there is still a lot to do. "Only the weak take the easy path" – roll up your sleeves and let’s keep going.
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