Hello,
even though this question has been asked many times before, I would like to ask it once more. I am planning to build a single-family house with approximately 120 - 130 sqm (1,290 - 1,400 sq ft) of living space plus a storage room and garage. From what I have read in this forum, a rough estimate could be calculated as follows:
Now I am my own spoiler because the budget is only 210,000 euros. So, at this point, I should give up the building project, but I cannot understand that it is not possible to build a house for 210,000 euros. I would describe my requirements as simple in terms of fittings but high when it comes to quality. I don’t need any luxury, but I can’t stand flimsy windows/doors or creaky stairs. I don’t want much, but what I have should be solid. If I take this on, I want to be quite sure that this budget limit will not be significantly exceeded.
Specifically, I would say the following: simple floor plan – terrace – no slope – shutters (roller shutters) – no curtains inside, instead blinds – no frills – all tiled except for bedrooms and children’s rooms – bathroom with toilet – separate guest toilet – no underfloor heating – no electric shutters/blinds/skylights – no automatic ventilation system – walls and ceilings painted white with textured wallpaper. As the only luxuries, I would like a wood-burning stove in the living room and a network connection in every room. Everything kept simple but of solid/durable quality. For DIY work, I would do the painting (wallpapering/painting) and outdoor areas myself. I would also install the flooring in the rooms that are not tiled (bedrooms/children’s rooms) as well as handle the cleaning up. Preferably built with a solid construction method.
Now the big question: Is this completely unrealistic? Or how should one go about building a simple but solid house for 210,000 euros?
Thanks and regards
even though this question has been asked many times before, I would like to ask it once more. I am planning to build a single-family house with approximately 120 - 130 sqm (1,290 - 1,400 sq ft) of living space plus a storage room and garage. From what I have read in this forum, a rough estimate could be calculated as follows:
| 130 sqm x 1,500 |
| Additional construction costs |
| Garage |
| Outdoor areas |
| Kitchen |
| Painting/flooring |
| Miscellaneous |
| Total |
Now I am my own spoiler because the budget is only 210,000 euros. So, at this point, I should give up the building project, but I cannot understand that it is not possible to build a house for 210,000 euros. I would describe my requirements as simple in terms of fittings but high when it comes to quality. I don’t need any luxury, but I can’t stand flimsy windows/doors or creaky stairs. I don’t want much, but what I have should be solid. If I take this on, I want to be quite sure that this budget limit will not be significantly exceeded.
Specifically, I would say the following: simple floor plan – terrace – no slope – shutters (roller shutters) – no curtains inside, instead blinds – no frills – all tiled except for bedrooms and children’s rooms – bathroom with toilet – separate guest toilet – no underfloor heating – no electric shutters/blinds/skylights – no automatic ventilation system – walls and ceilings painted white with textured wallpaper. As the only luxuries, I would like a wood-burning stove in the living room and a network connection in every room. Everything kept simple but of solid/durable quality. For DIY work, I would do the painting (wallpapering/painting) and outdoor areas myself. I would also install the flooring in the rooms that are not tiled (bedrooms/children’s rooms) as well as handle the cleaning up. Preferably built with a solid construction method.
Now the big question: Is this completely unrealistic? Or how should one go about building a simple but solid house for 210,000 euros?
Thanks and regards
Hello
We are also building a house.
Solid construction using aerated concrete
110 sqm (1,184 sq ft) turnkey, 1.5 stories with knee wall 70 cm (28 inches),
underfloor heating, Lunos ventilation with heat recovery, gas condensing boiler with solar for domestic hot water,
120 sqm (1,292 sq ft) paving for driveway and terrace, 45° gable roof, KfW55 standard with triple-glazed windows,
perimeter insulation, external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS), flush shower, own work on floors except tiles, wallpaper, garden.
Total cost: 155,000 + 45,000 construction ancillary costs + 35,000 moving and furnishing.
We decided against a basement, which would have cost an extra 50,000 euros 🙂
Of course, it depends on the location. Sometimes the plot of land is more expensive than the entire house :/
We are also building a house.
Solid construction using aerated concrete
110 sqm (1,184 sq ft) turnkey, 1.5 stories with knee wall 70 cm (28 inches),
underfloor heating, Lunos ventilation with heat recovery, gas condensing boiler with solar for domestic hot water,
120 sqm (1,292 sq ft) paving for driveway and terrace, 45° gable roof, KfW55 standard with triple-glazed windows,
perimeter insulation, external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS), flush shower, own work on floors except tiles, wallpaper, garden.
Total cost: 155,000 + 45,000 construction ancillary costs + 35,000 moving and furnishing.
We decided against a basement, which would have cost an extra 50,000 euros 🙂
Of course, it depends on the location. Sometimes the plot of land is more expensive than the entire house :/
@Mutz
Garage for 15,000? If the budget is that tight, go for a simple metal garage. Including foundation and flooring, it costs around 2,000 to 3,000 EUR (approximately 2,200 to 3,300 USD).
A kitchen for 15,000 is also quite expensive. Unless the kitchen is really large, around 35 m² (375 ft²), 10,000 should be enough.
A simple floor plan is good, but then avoid dormers, bay windows, or any other extensions.
Try to avoid using extra insulated wall structures around the solar system (water/heating) (keyword “15% rule”). This equipment is expensive (10,000–15,000 EUR / 11,000–16,500 USD) and offers little benefit. Your energy consultant or HVAC engineer will be able to suggest alternatives if they are not just salespeople.
Garage for 15,000? If the budget is that tight, go for a simple metal garage. Including foundation and flooring, it costs around 2,000 to 3,000 EUR (approximately 2,200 to 3,300 USD).
A kitchen for 15,000 is also quite expensive. Unless the kitchen is really large, around 35 m² (375 ft²), 10,000 should be enough.
A simple floor plan is good, but then avoid dormers, bay windows, or any other extensions.
Try to avoid using extra insulated wall structures around the solar system (water/heating) (keyword “15% rule”). This equipment is expensive (10,000–15,000 EUR / 11,000–16,500 USD) and offers little benefit. Your energy consultant or HVAC engineer will be able to suggest alternatives if they are not just salespeople.
You can also save money on the kitchen – around 6500 (6500) should work, right?
Then reduce the house size to 110-120 square meters (1184-1292 square feet).
Skip the garage and opt for a wooden carport instead.
If you have one, leave out the dormer and also omit any roof windows.
That should get you closer to your budget!
Then reduce the house size to 110-120 square meters (1184-1292 square feet).
Skip the garage and opt for a wooden carport instead.
If you have one, leave out the dormer and also omit any roof windows.
That should get you closer to your budget!
With 210,000 you won’t build a single-family house, at least not a solid one. And if you do, it will lack in several areas (interior finishes, enough sockets/windows, landscaping, stairs, splash protection, etc.).
You already know the additional costs; be glad if they stay around 35,000€ (about 38,500 USD). For us, on a flat plot, we had to add 8,000€ (about 8,800 USD), but that was expected.
You can build the garage later; we had to do that as well.
The kitchen can be cheaper, and painting and flooring costs can be reduced if you do some of the work yourself.
However, the real issue is the house itself. Not even the house will fit into your budget. Without additional building costs, maybe, but with them, I’m pessimistic.
Unless you opt for a cheap option and accept the consequences.
As harsh as it sounds, 210,000 is simply not enough. And you can only be sure that you won’t exceed your budget AFTER construction. Before that, you can only try to minimize the risks.
You already know the additional costs; be glad if they stay around 35,000€ (about 38,500 USD). For us, on a flat plot, we had to add 8,000€ (about 8,800 USD), but that was expected.
You can build the garage later; we had to do that as well.
The kitchen can be cheaper, and painting and flooring costs can be reduced if you do some of the work yourself.
However, the real issue is the house itself. Not even the house will fit into your budget. Without additional building costs, maybe, but with them, I’m pessimistic.
Unless you opt for a cheap option and accept the consequences.
As harsh as it sounds, 210,000 is simply not enough. And you can only be sure that you won’t exceed your budget AFTER construction. Before that, you can only try to minimize the risks.
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