Hello, we are M29 and F32 and we want to build a house. We would like to get a few more opinions on our plans.
It is about a plot of land and a town villa with 140sqm (1507 sq ft). Garage, underfloor heating, central ventilation, electric roller shutters. Otherwise, relatively standard.
We are both permanently employed, not married, and do not have children yet. Children and marriage are planned. She plans to take 2 years of parental leave if possible. Afterwards, she wants to work part-time at 40-60%.
Income
He: €2,600 (without 13th/14th salary and possible overtime)
She: €1,850 (without 13th salary)
Planned equity: €60,000 up to max. €80,000 cash.
The bank (savings bank) gave us a sample calculation for orientation.
We have no major fixed expenses, only standard ones like phone, internet, insurances.
Total income: €4,450
- Living expenses: €1,500
- Costs for 1 car: €200
Surplus: €2,750
The bank calculated additional costs as 140sqm (1507 sq ft) x €2.5 = €350 for additional expenses, resulting in a possible cold burden (monthly mortgage plus costs) of €1,200.
I will leave it at that and would like to hear your opinion.
There is also an “offer” from a developer:
Plot 850sqm (9149 sq ft): €65,000 including 7% property transfer tax and notary fees
Construction costs 140sqm (1507 sq ft) x €1,400: €196,000
Construction extras (ventilation, etc.): €30,000
Double garage: €27,000
Additional construction costs: €60,000
Total approx.: €378,000
Painting and floor installation work would still be missing.
Is this realistic overall?
It is about a plot of land and a town villa with 140sqm (1507 sq ft). Garage, underfloor heating, central ventilation, electric roller shutters. Otherwise, relatively standard.
We are both permanently employed, not married, and do not have children yet. Children and marriage are planned. She plans to take 2 years of parental leave if possible. Afterwards, she wants to work part-time at 40-60%.
Income
He: €2,600 (without 13th/14th salary and possible overtime)
She: €1,850 (without 13th salary)
Planned equity: €60,000 up to max. €80,000 cash.
The bank (savings bank) gave us a sample calculation for orientation.
We have no major fixed expenses, only standard ones like phone, internet, insurances.
Total income: €4,450
- Living expenses: €1,500
- Costs for 1 car: €200
Surplus: €2,750
The bank calculated additional costs as 140sqm (1507 sq ft) x €2.5 = €350 for additional expenses, resulting in a possible cold burden (monthly mortgage plus costs) of €1,200.
I will leave it at that and would like to hear your opinion.
There is also an “offer” from a developer:
Plot 850sqm (9149 sq ft): €65,000 including 7% property transfer tax and notary fees
Construction costs 140sqm (1507 sq ft) x €1,400: €196,000
Construction extras (ventilation, etc.): €30,000
Double garage: €27,000
Additional construction costs: €60,000
Total approx.: €378,000
Painting and floor installation work would still be missing.
Is this realistic overall?
Are you really dealing with a developer? In that case, the property transfer tax applies to the total price, not just the land price.
At €1400 per square meter (approx. $1,500 per square yard) of living space, expect additional costs due to design changes or upgrades; plan a buffer for this. The €30,000 (approx. $33,000) can disappear quickly if the bathroom and ventilation system (10-12,000€ or about $11,000-$13,000 just for central ventilation) are already included.
What about the garden? Budget €10,000-15,000 (approx. $11,000-$17,000) for basic ground work/levelling, paving, entrance platform, etc.
At €1400 per square meter (approx. $1,500 per square yard) of living space, expect additional costs due to design changes or upgrades; plan a buffer for this. The €30,000 (approx. $33,000) can disappear quickly if the bathroom and ventilation system (10-12,000€ or about $11,000-$13,000 just for central ventilation) are already included.
What about the garden? Budget €10,000-15,000 (approx. $11,000-$17,000) for basic ground work/levelling, paving, entrance platform, etc.
Well, even if it is a general contractor, they also offer the land, right? In that case, property transfer taxes will likely apply to both. You should plan for that. Additional construction costs of 60,000 are calculated very high—how come? You might be able to invest any savings into some upgrade options during the selection process.
I would skip the double garage and use the 27,000 to pay for paving with a double carport instead.
That should more or less work out. But I’m no financial expert 😉
Best regards in brief
I would skip the double garage and use the 27,000 to pay for paving with a double carport instead.
That should more or less work out. But I’m no financial expert 😉
Best regards in brief
Basel schrieb:
We don’t have any major fixed expenses, just the standard ones like phone, internet, and insurance. Bare, hungry cyclists; freezing and drinking water from the village well? – hmm, isn’t something missing there?
Otherwise, everything here sounds pleasantly down-to-earth. 140 sqm (about 1,500 sq ft) of living space on an 850 sqm (approximately 9,150 sq ft) plot already suggests reasonable proportions.
However, the plot sounds quite inexpensive – is it a very rural area with the downside of long daily commutes?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
I actually meant a general contractor (GC).
The land is not included; we would buy that ourselves.
Through the NLG, no brokerage fees, fully serviced, including the road. €57,000 (approx. $61,000).
I have budgeted a €3,000 (approx. $3,200) buffer for groundwork and €5,000 (approx. $5,400) for tax and notary fees.
Yes, it’s a rural area. I basically work right outside the door or start from home with a company car, and my partner has a commute of about 10–15 km (6–9 miles).
No cyclists without gear, but costs for car, electricity, gas, and groceries are included in the flat rates for
- Living expenses
- Car (no loan)
- Utilities
I have accounted for additional building-related costs as follows:
- Paving €10,000 (approx. $10,700)
- Garden €1,500 (approx. $1,600) DIY
- Rainwater chamber €2,000 (approx. $2,150) DIY
- Hedge €500 (approx. $540) DIY
- Kitchen €12,000 (approx. $12,900)
- Furniture (partial) €6,000 (approx. $6,450)
- Lighting €2,000 (approx. $2,150)
- Electric shutters €5,000 (approx. $5,400) (additional)
- Ventilation €11,000 (approx. $11,800)
- Extras/contingency €10,000 (approx. $10,700)
The land is not included; we would buy that ourselves.
Through the NLG, no brokerage fees, fully serviced, including the road. €57,000 (approx. $61,000).
I have budgeted a €3,000 (approx. $3,200) buffer for groundwork and €5,000 (approx. $5,400) for tax and notary fees.
Yes, it’s a rural area. I basically work right outside the door or start from home with a company car, and my partner has a commute of about 10–15 km (6–9 miles).
No cyclists without gear, but costs for car, electricity, gas, and groceries are included in the flat rates for
- Living expenses
- Car (no loan)
- Utilities
I have accounted for additional building-related costs as follows:
- Paving €10,000 (approx. $10,700)
- Garden €1,500 (approx. $1,600) DIY
- Rainwater chamber €2,000 (approx. $2,150) DIY
- Hedge €500 (approx. $540) DIY
- Kitchen €12,000 (approx. $12,900)
- Furniture (partial) €6,000 (approx. $6,450)
- Lighting €2,000 (approx. $2,150)
- Electric shutters €5,000 (approx. $5,400) (additional)
- Ventilation €11,000 (approx. $11,800)
- Extras/contingency €10,000 (approx. $10,700)
Basel schrieb:
I have estimated additional construction costs as follows:
-Paving 10,000€
-Garden 1,500€ EL
-Rainwater shaft 2,000€ EL
-Hedge 500€ EL
-Kitchen 12,000€
-Partial furniture 6,000€
-Lamps 2,000€
-Electric roller shutters 5,000€ (additional)
-Ventilation 11,000€
-Extras/contingency 10,000€Oops... Caution!!!!
Additional construction costs include permits, earthworks, etc. You can’t avoid those.
Read about it here: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/liste-der-baunebenkosten.9737/
And this is interesting too: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/warum-ein-hausbau-fast-immer-teurer-kommt-als-kalkuliert.16237/
What you listed (without the rainwater shaft) either belongs to external works or private expenses; roller shutters are optional extras.
For budgeting, differentiate between:
House construction costs
Upgrades
Additional construction costs
External works
Owner-provided materials
Furniture/lighting (kitchen)