ᐅ House Construction/Renovation Planning – Request for Feedback
Created on: 14 Mar 2025 17:11
H
Hausbau25_1
Dear forum,
I am new here and have been enthusiastically following many posts as a silent reader.
Now, things are gradually getting serious for us as well, so I would like to get some feedback from you to see if our planned approach is on the right track.
Specifically, we are both 32 and 33 years old (m32, f33), and we have two options:
1. Buy a new building plot and build from scratch (the plot will be on the market in 2–3 months)
2. Buy an existing property and modernize/renovate it (the house will be on the market in 1–2 months)
This is the plan we have in mind:
1a: Transparency about monthly income and expenses using a household budget (we are already working on this and are almost finished)
1b: Create a must-have and nice-to-have space and room planning (we have done this, which applies to both new build and existing property)
2a: Contact banks with our financial overview and equity to get financing offers (this is difficult since we don’t yet know the exact value of the existing property or the final plot price); we have already received some approximate offers via comparison platforms, but they are not specific or “secure” enough for me
2b: Here we are unsure — should we a) approach both large and small players with our space planning and the possible plot (development plan is available) to review their offers, or b) first approach an architect with our ideas to have a floor plan created and then go to the companies? Could architects (possibly also via “a better place”) also assist us with potential renovation work in the existing property?
3: Further steps depend on point 2, so I won’t go into that yet...
In general, we want to make the best use of the time until both options are on the market so that we are not caught off guard or fall behind. Your feedback would be very helpful — thank you in advance! If you need any more information, please let me know!
I am new here and have been enthusiastically following many posts as a silent reader.
Now, things are gradually getting serious for us as well, so I would like to get some feedback from you to see if our planned approach is on the right track.
Specifically, we are both 32 and 33 years old (m32, f33), and we have two options:
1. Buy a new building plot and build from scratch (the plot will be on the market in 2–3 months)
2. Buy an existing property and modernize/renovate it (the house will be on the market in 1–2 months)
This is the plan we have in mind:
1a: Transparency about monthly income and expenses using a household budget (we are already working on this and are almost finished)
1b: Create a must-have and nice-to-have space and room planning (we have done this, which applies to both new build and existing property)
2a: Contact banks with our financial overview and equity to get financing offers (this is difficult since we don’t yet know the exact value of the existing property or the final plot price); we have already received some approximate offers via comparison platforms, but they are not specific or “secure” enough for me
2b: Here we are unsure — should we a) approach both large and small players with our space planning and the possible plot (development plan is available) to review their offers, or b) first approach an architect with our ideas to have a floor plan created and then go to the companies? Could architects (possibly also via “a better place”) also assist us with potential renovation work in the existing property?
3: Further steps depend on point 2, so I won’t go into that yet...
In general, we want to make the best use of the time until both options are on the market so that we are not caught off guard or fall behind. Your feedback would be very helpful — thank you in advance! If you need any more information, please let me know!
H
Hausbau25_115 Mar 2025 13:09First of all, thank you for your responses – very informative, objective, and helpful.
Basically, we are currently in a "waiting mode," which I would like to use productively. Yes, @Joedreck, we really like the potential existing property and have already seen it preliminarily; however, we are not opposed to a new build either. Thanks to @nordanney for your clear perspective on possible new construction costs.
I have thought it over again and would now basically start by approaching one or more banks to determine our financing potential, taking into account our household budget as well as our equity.
In the "existing property" thread, with the help of an acquaintance who is an architect, we are trying to get access to the property to obtain a rough estimate of what the necessary and desired changes might cost. Unfortunately, the price is not known yet, but this way we can set a maximum budget since we know both the financing potential and renovation costs (+ contingency).
In the "new build" thread, I would a) first talk to the architect to see if they could assist with floor plan design and b) also check various websites to see which possible houses from "the major builders" would fit within our budget. Or would you suggest already contacting different companies with our room planning to get initial offers? I think that might be a bit too early for me and could also distract us from the "step-by-step" planning approach of @11ant.
What do you think?
Basically, we are currently in a "waiting mode," which I would like to use productively. Yes, @Joedreck, we really like the potential existing property and have already seen it preliminarily; however, we are not opposed to a new build either. Thanks to @nordanney for your clear perspective on possible new construction costs.
I have thought it over again and would now basically start by approaching one or more banks to determine our financing potential, taking into account our household budget as well as our equity.
In the "existing property" thread, with the help of an acquaintance who is an architect, we are trying to get access to the property to obtain a rough estimate of what the necessary and desired changes might cost. Unfortunately, the price is not known yet, but this way we can set a maximum budget since we know both the financing potential and renovation costs (+ contingency).
In the "new build" thread, I would a) first talk to the architect to see if they could assist with floor plan design and b) also check various websites to see which possible houses from "the major builders" would fit within our budget. Or would you suggest already contacting different companies with our room planning to get initial offers? I think that might be a bit too early for me and could also distract us from the "step-by-step" planning approach of @11ant.
What do you think?
Hausbau25_1 schrieb:
In the "New Construction" thread, I would suggest a) first talking to an architect to see if they could help with the floor plan design and b) also checking various websites to find out which houses from the "big players" fit within our budget. Or would you already contact different companies with our space planning to get initial offers? I think that would be a step too fast for me and might also distract us from the "step-by-step" planning approach of @11ant.My planning approach definitely shifts the focus away from the typical amateur obsession with the single aspect of the floor plan and advises steering clear of the slime trails/marketing funnels of the big names. Don’t become victims, stay in control as homeowners! (or with 32/33 years old and no concrete plans for children yet, perhaps for now more like future townhouse buyers?).
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
H
Hausbau25_117 Mar 2025 08:48@11ant, thank you for your feedback.
I’m not quite sure I follow you. What exactly would you recommend to us? I already mentioned that the floor plan is only one aspect; for example, financing and space planning are also crucial.
I would really appreciate your response on this—thanks in advance! 🙂
P.S. No, it will probably be "more" soon, so no "interim house purchase." There are also some location-related constraints, which unfortunately means the market available to us is quite limited.
I’m not quite sure I follow you. What exactly would you recommend to us? I already mentioned that the floor plan is only one aspect; for example, financing and space planning are also crucial.
I would really appreciate your response on this—thanks in advance! 🙂
P.S. No, it will probably be "more" soon, so no "interim house purchase." There are also some location-related constraints, which unfortunately means the market available to us is quite limited.
Oh, did I express myself unclearly? No, the mid-terrace house (a typical developer offer, semi-detached house of 120…145 sq m (1,292…1,560 sq ft)) is an excellent option, especially during the phase “children planned up to the orientation stage of secondary school,” and is closer to the Pareto optimum than to a simple temporary solution. The perception of a tight market tends to create a gradual, self-reinforcing effect – meaning the longer this impression persists, the more likely the reality is actually better than perceived.
If I were in your position, I would definitely prefer the option of a moderately modernized existing property (ideally built around 2010 or newer) over a new build. Young families, in particular, still have very fluid needs and are far from finding their “perfect fit” as a static optimum. However, the “one size fits all” solution can be a very costly way out.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
If I were in your position, I would definitely prefer the option of a moderately modernized existing property (ideally built around 2010 or newer) over a new build. Young families, in particular, still have very fluid needs and are far from finding their “perfect fit” as a static optimum. However, the “one size fits all” solution can be a very costly way out.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Renovating and (energy) upgrading an existing property can be a sensible option when attractive plots of land are not available. When purchasing an existing property, a property purchase consultation by an architect experienced in older buildings should assess the potential of the property – considering the building as a whole and all trades that may need to be contracted later.
I would advise against property purchase consultations by providers who cannot demonstrate this qualification through their own construction activities. I also discourage hiring energy consultants who immediately try to sell the "Individual Renovation Roadmap (ISFP)" from the KfW. These consultants usually lack the necessary technical background. In recent years, I have reviewed several ISFPs that were unreasonable and showed significant professional shortcomings in the renovation planning.
The costs of renovating a property can easily be comparable to those of a new build of similar size – depending on the degree of “transformation” involved in the renovation. Estimating this should be part of the property purchase consultation.
I would advise against property purchase consultations by providers who cannot demonstrate this qualification through their own construction activities. I also discourage hiring energy consultants who immediately try to sell the "Individual Renovation Roadmap (ISFP)" from the KfW. These consultants usually lack the necessary technical background. In recent years, I have reviewed several ISFPs that were unreasonable and showed significant professional shortcomings in the renovation planning.
The costs of renovating a property can easily be comparable to those of a new build of similar size – depending on the degree of “transformation” involved in the renovation. Estimating this should be part of the property purchase consultation.
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