Hello dear members,
We are currently in the process of planning our house construction, and since I personally enjoy reading house building diaries and similar posts, I thought I would try to give something back. We are definitely beginners but are gradually learning more about the topic. Fortunately, we have a friend who is an expert in this field and will help us with the construction description, monitoring the construction work, etc. (currently only promised help, not yet involved).
I might still upload our floor plan later.
Project idea:
Property: Single-family house
Location: Wesermarsch (Northern Lower Saxony)
Development plan:
- Two building gaps, nearly identical development plans: floor area ratio 0.3; site coverage 0.4; single-story (unfortunately); no specified eaves or ridge height or roof design
- New residential area: floor area ratio 0.4; site coverage 0.5; two stories; other details unknown
Living space: 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft) according to initial draft, with a tendency towards smaller living space
Volume: According to the first draft: rectangular, without projections, except for a projection housing half of the living room (ground floor); not built on upper floor
Energy standard: possibly KfW 55 (if it is cost-effective)
Special features: photovoltaic system, fireplace, large gallery/open space, many large windows; 2 bathrooms; ventilation system either with heat recovery and/or geothermal heat pump (depending on KfW requirements)
Cost-saving measures: partially leave the attic unfinished until children arrive (affects 1 bathroom and 2 standard rooms); instead of a basement, have an attic and a large utility room; only pave the driveway and entrance area (carport will be built later); minimize expenditure on outdoor landscaping; we currently like the industrial style: prefer steel industrial staircase over wooden stairs; possibly leave walls/ceilings "bare" in the kitchen-living-dining area; own work: electrical installation, non-load-bearing walls, flooring, painting – possibly also roof insulation.
Price including incidental costs: approx. 240,000 - 260,000 (excluding land costs)
Current status:
At the moment it is like this: We both recently started new jobs (both probation periods completed, both permanent contracts). I (26) have a new job after completing my studies; he joined the family business (initially a lower salary, significantly higher in 2 years, with another big increase in 5-8 years). So, we won’t have a lot of money available to finance the project for 2 years, but after that it won’t be a problem, even despite maternity leave and unemployment. However, we want to be able to cover financing until then, in case I have to rely on unemployment benefits (ALG I) as the main earner. Family would of course support us, but we prefer to be independent. This means the monthly payment cannot be too high, but at the same time I want at least 2.5% repayment (+ special repayments later). Well – these are the usual wishes of almost every home builder.
A low annuity goes hand in hand with low construction and incidental costs, as well as affordable land. The latter is not an issue for us; the real problem is a lack of building plots. A new development area will be designated this fall. We are on the waiting list and have applied for two attractive building gaps.
Regarding construction costs, we face the usual problem: wish vs. reality. I think we will have to make quite a few adjustments due to the budget. The builder is probably already decided. Two friends built with this company in 2014 and 2016 and only have positive feedback. The builder calculates the complete house and provides a price, then discusses which trades can be completed by ourselves. Additionally, they tendered some trades they did not want to do themselves. This was also no problem for the builder – this also saved money. Our appointment with the builder is still pending. We also plan to get three more offers.
As laypersons, we researched potential savings on the internet. Obviously: do not finish the attic. But I want a large gallery/open space in the middle of the house above kitchen and dining area, and due to energy-saving regulations, much of the attic has to be finished anyway. However, we can at least omit some interior finishing, including one bathroom.
Additionally, we can do without the carport and most landscaping for two years. We want to limit our own work to what is feasible – i.e., only what we have a family craftsman to do together with us. Well, except for painting and flooring, which we have done often enough. My partner is home by 3 pm at the latest every day (sometimes as early as 1 pm), so he can go straight to the building site =)
And maybe the industrial style will save some money, for example through the stairs and raw ceilings. Also, I am fine with tiles from the hardware store, affordable sanitary fixtures, or a kitchen from a special offer for the time being. The rest of the furniture is already available. If the builder suggests reducing the living space and it suits us, we are happy to further reduce it.
Unfortunately, we also have one or two expensive wishes that we do not want to give up for now: the large gallery/open space and a large window front on the south side of the house. I would also like a nice flooring. So, it remains to be seen whether the financial framework will be sufficient.
Current status:
Financing: Two offers obtained. Provisional "ok" from advisors.
Land: Two inquiries for building gaps; development area will be completed in October.
House: First offers expected in the coming weeks.
We are currently in the process of planning our house construction, and since I personally enjoy reading house building diaries and similar posts, I thought I would try to give something back. We are definitely beginners but are gradually learning more about the topic. Fortunately, we have a friend who is an expert in this field and will help us with the construction description, monitoring the construction work, etc. (currently only promised help, not yet involved).
I might still upload our floor plan later.
Project idea:
Property: Single-family house
Location: Wesermarsch (Northern Lower Saxony)
Development plan:
- Two building gaps, nearly identical development plans: floor area ratio 0.3; site coverage 0.4; single-story (unfortunately); no specified eaves or ridge height or roof design
- New residential area: floor area ratio 0.4; site coverage 0.5; two stories; other details unknown
Living space: 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft) according to initial draft, with a tendency towards smaller living space
Volume: According to the first draft: rectangular, without projections, except for a projection housing half of the living room (ground floor); not built on upper floor
Energy standard: possibly KfW 55 (if it is cost-effective)
Special features: photovoltaic system, fireplace, large gallery/open space, many large windows; 2 bathrooms; ventilation system either with heat recovery and/or geothermal heat pump (depending on KfW requirements)
Cost-saving measures: partially leave the attic unfinished until children arrive (affects 1 bathroom and 2 standard rooms); instead of a basement, have an attic and a large utility room; only pave the driveway and entrance area (carport will be built later); minimize expenditure on outdoor landscaping; we currently like the industrial style: prefer steel industrial staircase over wooden stairs; possibly leave walls/ceilings "bare" in the kitchen-living-dining area; own work: electrical installation, non-load-bearing walls, flooring, painting – possibly also roof insulation.
Price including incidental costs: approx. 240,000 - 260,000 (excluding land costs)
Current status:
At the moment it is like this: We both recently started new jobs (both probation periods completed, both permanent contracts). I (26) have a new job after completing my studies; he joined the family business (initially a lower salary, significantly higher in 2 years, with another big increase in 5-8 years). So, we won’t have a lot of money available to finance the project for 2 years, but after that it won’t be a problem, even despite maternity leave and unemployment. However, we want to be able to cover financing until then, in case I have to rely on unemployment benefits (ALG I) as the main earner. Family would of course support us, but we prefer to be independent. This means the monthly payment cannot be too high, but at the same time I want at least 2.5% repayment (+ special repayments later). Well – these are the usual wishes of almost every home builder.
A low annuity goes hand in hand with low construction and incidental costs, as well as affordable land. The latter is not an issue for us; the real problem is a lack of building plots. A new development area will be designated this fall. We are on the waiting list and have applied for two attractive building gaps.
Regarding construction costs, we face the usual problem: wish vs. reality. I think we will have to make quite a few adjustments due to the budget. The builder is probably already decided. Two friends built with this company in 2014 and 2016 and only have positive feedback. The builder calculates the complete house and provides a price, then discusses which trades can be completed by ourselves. Additionally, they tendered some trades they did not want to do themselves. This was also no problem for the builder – this also saved money. Our appointment with the builder is still pending. We also plan to get three more offers.
As laypersons, we researched potential savings on the internet. Obviously: do not finish the attic. But I want a large gallery/open space in the middle of the house above kitchen and dining area, and due to energy-saving regulations, much of the attic has to be finished anyway. However, we can at least omit some interior finishing, including one bathroom.
Additionally, we can do without the carport and most landscaping for two years. We want to limit our own work to what is feasible – i.e., only what we have a family craftsman to do together with us. Well, except for painting and flooring, which we have done often enough. My partner is home by 3 pm at the latest every day (sometimes as early as 1 pm), so he can go straight to the building site =)
And maybe the industrial style will save some money, for example through the stairs and raw ceilings. Also, I am fine with tiles from the hardware store, affordable sanitary fixtures, or a kitchen from a special offer for the time being. The rest of the furniture is already available. If the builder suggests reducing the living space and it suits us, we are happy to further reduce it.
Unfortunately, we also have one or two expensive wishes that we do not want to give up for now: the large gallery/open space and a large window front on the south side of the house. I would also like a nice flooring. So, it remains to be seen whether the financial framework will be sufficient.
Current status:
Financing: Two offers obtained. Provisional "ok" from advisors.
Land: Two inquiries for building gaps; development area will be completed in October.
House: First offers expected in the coming weeks.
@Knallkörper: We are definitely keeping the option open to postpone the house construction by about 2 years. We are okay with making a few compromises. Our current custom floor plan with 142 sqm (1,528 sq ft) of living space is perfectly fine for us – or we are considering another floor plan I found in an architect’s book. I just can’t believe the building permit / planning permission cost; even after adjusting roughly 10% based on the BKI construction cost index (base year 2012), the construction costs still seem very low to me. Well, that’s another topic 😉
But you are absolutely right, we won’t make any major compromises beyond those already mentioned. Otherwise, we’d regret it later. So we will just buy the land first and build in 2 years.
Thank you very much for the feedback regarding painting costs. It’s interesting how much these can vary. For now, I’ll estimate only 3,500 units until the final calculation.
But you are absolutely right, we won’t make any major compromises beyond those already mentioned. Otherwise, we’d regret it later. So we will just buy the land first and build in 2 years.
Thank you very much for the feedback regarding painting costs. It’s interesting how much these can vary. For now, I’ll estimate only 3,500 units until the final calculation.
Hello, we are currently planning our build in Lower Saxony (Cuxhaven district). Your special requests (a lot of open space + large window areas at the back) are similar to ours. So far, we have spoken with 4 construction companies. The prices per square meter were about €1400 (USD equivalent), €1500 (USD equivalent) – we have a written offer for this one –, €1800 to €2000 (USD equivalent), and one company did not want to give a price upfront. All offers were turnkey, for a gable roof house, and all companies have a good reputation.
Our house will be somewhat larger (about 195 sqm (2100 sq ft)). Therefore, I find your first offer relatively expensive.
Our house will be somewhat larger (about 195 sqm (2100 sq ft)). Therefore, I find your first offer relatively expensive.
Hello Fiedi,
Because we are close by, I just sent you a private message 😉
Regarding the rest: With the 1,850 EUR I currently have in my calculation, we are doing very well and can still afford an upgrade in some areas. I will prepare a comparison calculation with 1,700 EUR =)
We will only get proper quotes after reserving the plot. Then we will also know if the house actually fits on it.
Because we are close by, I just sent you a private message 😉
Regarding the rest: With the 1,850 EUR I currently have in my calculation, we are doing very well and can still afford an upgrade in some areas. I will prepare a comparison calculation with 1,700 EUR =)
We will only get proper quotes after reserving the plot. Then we will also know if the house actually fits on it.
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