Hello everyone,
we have purchased a house and, besides energy-related improvements, we have two main projects in mind that we would like to carry out:
For the staircase, we are especially looking for ideas.
If possible, we want to do some of the work ourselves (we are reasonably handy but have no formal construction training).
What we are looking for is someone who can support us mainly with the design phase and possibly the final building inspection. We feel that we don’t need an interior designer who charges based on the overall project volume, but rather someone we can pay by the hour who can provide an honest assessment of what we can realistically do ourselves (without feeling like their share of the work will be reduced).
Does this approach make sense? Has anyone had experience with something like this?
Thank you very much for your feedback!
we have purchased a house and, besides energy-related improvements, we have two main projects in mind that we would like to carry out:
- Moving the kitchen from the street side to the garden side (especially relocating connections through the basement and new electrical wiring)
- Redesigning the staircase area (changing it from a two-family house feel to a more homely stairwell)
For the staircase, we are especially looking for ideas.
If possible, we want to do some of the work ourselves (we are reasonably handy but have no formal construction training).
What we are looking for is someone who can support us mainly with the design phase and possibly the final building inspection. We feel that we don’t need an interior designer who charges based on the overall project volume, but rather someone we can pay by the hour who can provide an honest assessment of what we can realistically do ourselves (without feeling like their share of the work will be reduced).
Does this approach make sense? Has anyone had experience with something like this?
Thank you very much for your feedback!
The wall opening and the conversion of the two-family house into a single-family home may require a building permit / planning permission. The energy-efficient renovation of the house should be considered as part of the overall measures, including the thermal insulation, a possible planned replacement of the windows, and an evaluation of the heating system.
As a first step, I would recommend a construction consultation with an architect experienced in older buildings, who can advise you on the realistic scope of renovation, the approach to be taken, and the expected construction costs. An interior designer is likely not the right professional for your building project.
As a first step, I would recommend a construction consultation with an architect experienced in older buildings, who can advise you on the realistic scope of renovation, the approach to be taken, and the expected construction costs. An interior designer is likely not the right professional for your building project.
Changing the use of a single-family house is a secondary concern (my understanding is that you would pay slightly less tax annually, but would then need to reapply for a change of use if you wanted to rent it out, right?). For us, the focus regarding the staircase is on the living experience, such as having wooden instead of stone steps. This should not require any official approval.
For the opening, we want to install a sliding door and therefore keep parts of the wall intact. According to my research, in NRW this does not require official approval but only the involvement of a structural engineer. This is exactly where my point comes in: If I am already consulting a structural engineer and some tradespeople to carry out the work, do I really need an architect for supervision? My impression is that it might be sufficient to consult one on an hourly basis... hence my initial question.
Thank you very much for your feedback!
For the opening, we want to install a sliding door and therefore keep parts of the wall intact. According to my research, in NRW this does not require official approval but only the involvement of a structural engineer. This is exactly where my point comes in: If I am already consulting a structural engineer and some tradespeople to carry out the work, do I really need an architect for supervision? My impression is that it might be sufficient to consult one on an hourly basis... hence my initial question.
Thank you very much for your feedback!
O
Osnabruecker17 Sep 2020 05:32It seems you lack visual support?
As the previous speaker mentioned (if necessary), hire a professional to submit the modification, and definitely a structural engineer.
Start looking for a potential staircase builder; in my opinion, they can advise you very well and bring in their experience better than an architect could.
Go to a kitchen studio and plan your kitchen. Ask for the installation plan. Find electricians and plumbers (+ bricklayers + tilers?), show them the plan: “this is what I want here, these are the old connections...”
Get advice before making the opening for the sliding door. Our preferred option was only available in 1.40 m (4 feet 7 inches), so we had to reduce the opening again.
This will work well with good companies (who are interested in the project and also earn money from it).
As the previous speaker mentioned (if necessary), hire a professional to submit the modification, and definitely a structural engineer.
Start looking for a potential staircase builder; in my opinion, they can advise you very well and bring in their experience better than an architect could.
Go to a kitchen studio and plan your kitchen. Ask for the installation plan. Find electricians and plumbers (+ bricklayers + tilers?), show them the plan: “this is what I want here, these are the old connections...”
Get advice before making the opening for the sliding door. Our preferred option was only available in 1.40 m (4 feet 7 inches), so we had to reduce the opening again.
This will work well with good companies (who are interested in the project and also earn money from it).
N
Nice-Nofret17 Sep 2020 15:33He doesn’t seem to understand much about building; I strongly advise you to consult a professional who can guide you through the process. In the long run, this is more cost-effective than making mistakes, overextending yourselves financially, forgetting important parts, and so on.
wpic schrieb:
First of all, I would recommend a construction consultation with an architect experienced in old buildings,I’m glad to see you here again. I agree with that and was actually thinking of you, since the original poster is from “your” federal state. Unfortunately, private messages here are practically impossible both for and to newcomers :-(https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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