Good evening,
A few days ago, we purchased a plot of land (600 m² (approximately 6458 sq ft)) in the Düren district. We have now received quotes for a solid masonry house. One of the suppliers is local and works exclusively with regional contractors.
Key details: The company would build for us a KfW 100 energy-efficient house, 170 m² (approximately 1830 sq ft) living space (1 1/2 stories) including architectural and structural engineering services, groundwork and foundation slab, double garage, triple-glazed Veka windows, electronic roller shutters throughout the house, plumbing, fireplace, wooden staircase, Wolf air-source heat pump, electrical package, site setup, lightweight concrete masonry, and facing brick.
Cost: 227,000 EUR. Additional own work such as painting, tile laying, purchasing interior doors, roof insulation, and drywall still need to be done.
However, an acquaintance mentioned that this quote seems much too expensive for this price. They also said that a KfW 100 house is no longer state-of-the-art and that the own work requirements are overestimated for the price.
But we have no idea…
Could someone help? What KfW efficiency class should the house ideally have? Apparently, the heating system and windows are also not good! If someone can assist, I would be glad to share the quote with them.
Thanks and best regards!
A few days ago, we purchased a plot of land (600 m² (approximately 6458 sq ft)) in the Düren district. We have now received quotes for a solid masonry house. One of the suppliers is local and works exclusively with regional contractors.
Key details: The company would build for us a KfW 100 energy-efficient house, 170 m² (approximately 1830 sq ft) living space (1 1/2 stories) including architectural and structural engineering services, groundwork and foundation slab, double garage, triple-glazed Veka windows, electronic roller shutters throughout the house, plumbing, fireplace, wooden staircase, Wolf air-source heat pump, electrical package, site setup, lightweight concrete masonry, and facing brick.
Cost: 227,000 EUR. Additional own work such as painting, tile laying, purchasing interior doors, roof insulation, and drywall still need to be done.
However, an acquaintance mentioned that this quote seems much too expensive for this price. They also said that a KfW 100 house is no longer state-of-the-art and that the own work requirements are overestimated for the price.
But we have no idea…
Could someone help? What KfW efficiency class should the house ideally have? Apparently, the heating system and windows are also not good! If someone can assist, I would be glad to share the quote with them.
Thanks and best regards!
B
Bauexperte19 Dec 2015 10:51Good morning,
Normally, a single-family house with medium specification and turnkey delivery—meaning without painting and floor coverings—would cost around EUR 280,000; the double garage is not yet included.
Building a house *only* to meet the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV)—which might not be uncommon next year—is not inherently a problem. What doesn’t fit here are, among other things, the price and the promised performance. The specification sheet—if it can even be called that—is likely to cause a lot of debate because it is vague and therefore non-binding. This also serves as the basis for the contractor to build more or less what they consider appropriate.
On the other hand, certain services that normally count as incidental construction costs are contractually due. At the same time, a “tempting” level of self-performed work is required, and since that won’t be enough, materials will have to be purchased separately; you will probably have no choice, because the price quoted for these self-performed tasks is unlikely to be achievable on the market. If I add up these positions, your acquaintance is correct: for the quoted price, you do get a service, but certainly not the one you expect, because the price is too high for that. To put it more clearly: the price is not market-appropriate for the house size—in any conceivable way; therefore, it is a bait-and-switch.
What I am much more interested in is whether you have researched the builder? Except for some pompous advertising, I can find nothing. Even though our office is not far from their headquarters and we have worked extensively in Cologne, I neither know the company name nor have I heard anything about the registered owner. How is the company structured? How long has it been in business (the owner apparently has no idea about legal disclosure requirements)? What qualifications does the owner have (they claim to be a master craftsman)? Who is responsible for the warranty? Who would take over the completion of the new build in the worst-case scenario? How is the construction contract and payment plan structured?
In short—I would be more than cautious if I were you; especially since you don’t have much experience.
Best regards, Bauexperte
greenwd schrieb:Congratulations!
A few days ago, we bought a plot of land (600 sqm (6458 sq ft)) in the Düren district.
greenwd schrieb:Let me look at this from the opposite perspective first.
Here are the key details: The company would build for us: KfW 100, 170 sqm (1830 sq ft) of living space (1 1/2 stories) with architectural and structural engineering services, groundwork and foundation slab, double garage, triple-glazed Veka windows, electric roller shutters throughout the house, plumbing, fireplace, wooden staircase, Wolf air source heat pump, electrical package, construction site setup, and facing brickwork.
Costs: 227,000 EUR. Additional self-performed work such as painting, tiling, buying interior doors, roof insulation, and drywall installation would be extra.
Normally, a single-family house with medium specification and turnkey delivery—meaning without painting and floor coverings—would cost around EUR 280,000; the double garage is not yet included.
greenwd schrieb:“Acquaintances” always think they know best, but in this case, she is not entirely wrong—although probably different from how you understood it.
Now, an acquaintance thinks that this offer is way too expensive for the price. She claims a KfW 100 house is not state-of-the-art, and the amount of self-work included is overestimated for this price.
Building a house *only* to meet the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV)—which might not be uncommon next year—is not inherently a problem. What doesn’t fit here are, among other things, the price and the promised performance. The specification sheet—if it can even be called that—is likely to cause a lot of debate because it is vague and therefore non-binding. This also serves as the basis for the contractor to build more or less what they consider appropriate.
On the other hand, certain services that normally count as incidental construction costs are contractually due. At the same time, a “tempting” level of self-performed work is required, and since that won’t be enough, materials will have to be purchased separately; you will probably have no choice, because the price quoted for these self-performed tasks is unlikely to be achievable on the market. If I add up these positions, your acquaintance is correct: for the quoted price, you do get a service, but certainly not the one you expect, because the price is too high for that. To put it more clearly: the price is not market-appropriate for the house size—in any conceivable way; therefore, it is a bait-and-switch.
greenwd schrieb:With all due respect—in this case, your acquaintance is a bit off! Veka is a reputable supplier. We also install Veka windows and have only had good experiences; their service is reliable too.
Can anyone help? What KfW efficiency class should the house have? Allegedly, the heating system and the windows are also bad! If someone can help, I would also send them the offer.
What I am much more interested in is whether you have researched the builder? Except for some pompous advertising, I can find nothing. Even though our office is not far from their headquarters and we have worked extensively in Cologne, I neither know the company name nor have I heard anything about the registered owner. How is the company structured? How long has it been in business (the owner apparently has no idea about legal disclosure requirements)? What qualifications does the owner have (they claim to be a master craftsman)? Who is responsible for the warranty? Who would take over the completion of the new build in the worst-case scenario? How is the construction contract and payment plan structured?
In short—I would be more than cautious if I were you; especially since you don’t have much experience.
Best regards, Bauexperte
greenwd schrieb:
Good evening,
a few days ago, we purchased a plot of land measuring 600 sqm (6458 sq ft) in the Düren district.Which area exactly? We were also searching in the Düren district. 🙂
G
Glaskugel19 Dec 2015 17:07Oh great, that’s where I grew up and my parents still live in the town :-)