Hello everyone!
When building a solid construction house with a builder, I understand there is some flexibility regarding the floor plan. In other words, I can usually move a few walls or possibly add an extra room (of course, all at an additional cost, which is clear!). Now my question is: Do I have this freedom when it comes to the total square meters as well? We particularly like one house plan that is 124m² (1,335 sq ft). Would it be possible to “simply” increase it to 130 or 135m² (1,400 or 1,450 sq ft) — naturally for an extra charge?
Thanks in advance for your answers!
When building a solid construction house with a builder, I understand there is some flexibility regarding the floor plan. In other words, I can usually move a few walls or possibly add an extra room (of course, all at an additional cost, which is clear!). Now my question is: Do I have this freedom when it comes to the total square meters as well? We particularly like one house plan that is 124m² (1,335 sq ft). Would it be possible to “simply” increase it to 130 or 135m² (1,400 or 1,450 sq ft) — naturally for an extra charge?
Thanks in advance for your answers!
AxelH. schrieb:
Of course, anything is possible with solid construction. MiCasaEsSuCasa schrieb:
Thanks to everyone for the responses! It’s quite impressive what this can all entail... But it’s good to know that it’s basically possible. But many general contractors don’t do everything, and not every standard design house can be extended. Usually, an extension of about half a meter (1.5 feet) works, but not in every direction. It depends on the structural engineering. Many general contractors cannot keep the low price because then everything has to be redone, so they set limits.
Building a house based on a standard design has its limits—in every respect.
hausnrplus255 Sep 2020 12:3911ant schrieb:
It's a bit of both. The grid system is still used in manufacturing, but it no longer means the strict planning constraints it used to. You can think of it like ceiling joists or rafters, where the spacing can be adjusted or sections replaced. In other words, planning is still done economically based on the grid, and changes in whole grid steps are easier to implement, but on request, "made to measure" is possible with almost any custom dimensions. The preferred step lengths for enlarging sections are 62.5 cm (25 inches) for timber frame panel builders and 1.00 meter (39 inches) for masonry builders. This is how our home construction company explained it to us as well. For example, windows can be freely positioned, and the stud frame is simply adapted accordingly, which doesn’t mean there isn’t a system behind it.
hausnrplus25 schrieb:
which doesn’t mean there isn’t a system behind itThe "system" comes from the materials that determine the grid’s "rhythm" when you want to minimize waste as much as possible. In timber frame construction, the grid spacings of 625, 815, and 833 mm (approximately 25, 32, and 33 inches) come from the size of a single drywall panel or one-third the length of wooden panels with imperial or metric standard dimensions (one-third is used here because a joist spacing of about 80 cm (31.5 inches) is common). In masonry construction, two jumbo-sized bricks add up to one meter (approximately 39 inches).https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
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ypg schrieb:
But many general contractors (GCs) don’t handle everything, and not every standard house design can be extended. Usually, a half-meter (20 inches) adjustment works, but not in every direction. It depends on the structural engineering. Many GCs can’t maintain the low price because everything has to be redone, so they set limits. Building a house based on a standard design has its limits—in every respect.From our experience, I can say that all GCs would handle everything, often in certain increments. For example, increasing ceiling height in 12.5cm (5 inches) steps (half a brick).
We have never encountered a GC who said "stop" because we deviated too far from the standard house design. Of course, it all gets more expensive due to recalculating the structural engineering, etc. In the end, ask for a quote (with a separate item for each change) and weigh up the price-performance ratio.
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