Hello dear community,
my wife just came up with the idea of placing a log cabin on our parents’ property.
My question is:
Can these houses be lived in year-round?
How do they handle cold winter conditions?
What hidden costs might come up?
Here’s the background:
We are both currently giving up our permanent jobs and taking the step into self-employment. We both work as freelancers and from home. Buying a traditional house doesn’t make much sense right now, but our parents are willing to give up part of their garden (about 7,770m² (83,600 sq ft)).
So we planned to temporarily move into such a house before eventually buying a conventional masonry house.
What do you think about this?
my wife just came up with the idea of placing a log cabin on our parents’ property.
My question is:
Can these houses be lived in year-round?
How do they handle cold winter conditions?
What hidden costs might come up?
Here’s the background:
We are both currently giving up our permanent jobs and taking the step into self-employment. We both work as freelancers and from home. Buying a traditional house doesn’t make much sense right now, but our parents are willing to give up part of their garden (about 7,770m² (83,600 sq ft)).
So we planned to temporarily move into such a house before eventually buying a conventional masonry house.
What do you think about this?
Okay, so electricity and water lines are not an issue since they are already on the property, as my father had planned to build a guest house there anyway.
Of course, there will be additional costs for plumbing fixtures.
I read something about insulation, so extra insulation would be necessary; otherwise, it will get cold in winter.
Do you need a building permit / planning permission for this kind of "garden house"? It is not meant to have a separate address but rather to function like a guest house.
Of course, there will be additional costs for plumbing fixtures.
I read something about insulation, so extra insulation would be necessary; otherwise, it will get cold in winter.
Do you need a building permit / planning permission for this kind of "garden house"? It is not meant to have a separate address but rather to function like a guest house.
N
nordanney20 Aug 2015 10:56What budget do you have available?
Approximately 35,000
We could do the foundation ourselves since my father has already completely renovated and extended an old farmhouse and has done this several times on his own.
In general, we are thinking that only the construction of the garden shed and the connection of electrical and water lines would be done by external professionals.
What is the situation with building permits / planning permission in the Thuringia area? I have heard that anything over 40 m² (430 sq ft) requires an application.
We could do the foundation ourselves since my father has already completely renovated and extended an old farmhouse and has done this several times on his own.
In general, we are thinking that only the construction of the garden shed and the connection of electrical and water lines would be done by external professionals.
What is the situation with building permits / planning permission in the Thuringia area? I have heard that anything over 40 m² (430 sq ft) requires an application.
N
nordanney20 Aug 2015 14:38With 35,000 euros, you’d be better off staying in a hotel or rental apartment for a long time.
You will never get the house fully ready to live in with that budget.
Try calculating the total costs yourself (assuming you get the building permit / planning permission). Do you really think the connection to the sewer system, construction, complete electrical wiring, flooring, insulation, roofing, wood treatment, bathroom, etc., will cost you almost nothing? Why do you think normal houses cost many times more than your planned budget?
You will never get the house fully ready to live in with that budget.
Try calculating the total costs yourself (assuming you get the building permit / planning permission). Do you really think the connection to the sewer system, construction, complete electrical wiring, flooring, insulation, roofing, wood treatment, bathroom, etc., will cost you almost nothing? Why do you think normal houses cost many times more than your planned budget?
It basically depends on how high your expectations are. A good friend of mine also has a somewhat larger garden shed (also insulated). I’ve even spent a night in it during winter. It works without any problems. With a budget of 35,000 euros, you shouldn’t expect any luxury. If you don’t officially live in it, energy-saving regulations (energy performance requirements) don’t really apply. If you don’t put in too much effort, it will be a bit uncomfortable in winter and very hot in summer. Maybe consider something smaller that you can build yourself, and choose a double-walled version with insulation. For electrical and plumbing work, it would obviously be helpful if you have someone to assist you under supervision. That can quickly get complicated, and there also needs to be enough space for connections.
The question is whether it might be more sensible to buy a condominium instead. That way, you also have an asset, whereas you will hardly be able to resell your garden shed.
The question is whether it might be more sensible to buy a condominium instead. That way, you also have an asset, whereas you will hardly be able to resell your garden shed.
So, we are currently living in a 70m² (750 sq ft) apartment with a child and a dog... unbearable... We would much rather have those same 70m² (750 sq ft) in the middle of a 7700m² (1.9 acres) garden... if needed – just open the door, dog goes outside.
Our expectations are by no means high. It just shouldn’t be a downgrade... which means for us... it’s always warm in summer anyway, but it should also be warm in winter... electricity and internet via cable shouldn't be a problem... hot water supply via pipes shouldn’t be an issue either (it comes from the in-house wood-burning stove).
And a 70m² (750 sq ft) condominium costs at least 150,000 € in the worst neighborhood...
Okay, so a double-walled construction would help, or we could insulate it ourselves.
The fact that the garden house can’t be sold isn’t a big deal. If necessary, the parents could rent it out (guesthouse with boarding) or we could use it later as a guesthouse when we visit.
Our expectations are by no means high. It just shouldn’t be a downgrade... which means for us... it’s always warm in summer anyway, but it should also be warm in winter... electricity and internet via cable shouldn't be a problem... hot water supply via pipes shouldn’t be an issue either (it comes from the in-house wood-burning stove).
And a 70m² (750 sq ft) condominium costs at least 150,000 € in the worst neighborhood...
Okay, so a double-walled construction would help, or we could insulate it ourselves.
The fact that the garden house can’t be sold isn’t a big deal. If necessary, the parents could rent it out (guesthouse with boarding) or we could use it later as a guesthouse when we visit.
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