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Cailleach2 Mar 2022 08:59Hello! We’re completely new here and also new to the topic of house building.
Surprisingly, we have the opportunity to get a building plot at a good price and will likely become homeowners in the future.
Now we are considering what type of house to go for. We would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, tips, and warnings.
The plot is large and wooded, with no neighbors. I dream of a huge glass facade facing the trees.
It should be roughly 80-120 sqm (860-1,290 sq ft) and – the challenge – affordable. We are talking about a budget of up to 200,000 euros (for everything, from the slab foundation to interior finishing). We want something that fits well into the surroundings.
We quickly came across modular houses and log cabin-style options, which are said to be affordable. However, my partner is quite skeptical about this – does it really last long, is the insulation really up to standard, does one have to compromise on something? He feels uneasy at the idea of giving up solid, massive walls. Could he be right about that?
So: who has built a modular house or even a log cabin-style house and lives in it normally?
Due to pricing, we have Pineca or LeonWood in mind. If anyone has information about those...
Thanks in advance!
Surprisingly, we have the opportunity to get a building plot at a good price and will likely become homeowners in the future.
Now we are considering what type of house to go for. We would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, tips, and warnings.
The plot is large and wooded, with no neighbors. I dream of a huge glass facade facing the trees.
It should be roughly 80-120 sqm (860-1,290 sq ft) and – the challenge – affordable. We are talking about a budget of up to 200,000 euros (for everything, from the slab foundation to interior finishing). We want something that fits well into the surroundings.
We quickly came across modular houses and log cabin-style options, which are said to be affordable. However, my partner is quite skeptical about this – does it really last long, is the insulation really up to standard, does one have to compromise on something? He feels uneasy at the idea of giving up solid, massive walls. Could he be right about that?
So: who has built a modular house or even a log cabin-style house and lives in it normally?
Due to pricing, we have Pineca or LeonWood in mind. If anyone has information about those...
Thanks in advance!
A properly built and maintained wooden house will last longer than you.
I just browsed Pineca. They seem to offer houses compliant with the energy-saving regulations. But! Their prices are purely material costs. Assembly is not included. You will also need a building permit / planning permission, which means a certified professional will have to prepare the construction application documents for you. Then there are foundation costs (earthworks, foundation/slab).
I assume (I haven’t read that far yet) that no technical installations are included either (electrical, heating, plumbing).
Honestly, I think your budget of 200,000 all-in is unrealistic—unless you can handle all the surrounding work yourself.
Sorry.
I just browsed Pineca. They seem to offer houses compliant with the energy-saving regulations. But! Their prices are purely material costs. Assembly is not included. You will also need a building permit / planning permission, which means a certified professional will have to prepare the construction application documents for you. Then there are foundation costs (earthworks, foundation/slab).
I assume (I haven’t read that far yet) that no technical installations are included either (electrical, heating, plumbing).
Honestly, I think your budget of 200,000 all-in is unrealistic—unless you can handle all the surrounding work yourself.
Sorry.
Welcome to the forum,
Take some time to read up, especially about financing.
Almost no one has the funds to pay for a house outright; houses are usually financed by banks.
I would first clarify:
Is it a building plot,
how large a house is allowed to be built there,
how much house do you actually need, and so on.
Do the 80-120 sqm (860-1,290 sq ft) refer to the glass frontage or the floor area? 😉
Take some time to read up, especially about financing.
Almost no one has the funds to pay for a house outright; houses are usually financed by banks.
I would first clarify:
Is it a building plot,
how large a house is allowed to be built there,
how much house do you actually need, and so on.
Do the 80-120 sqm (860-1,290 sq ft) refer to the glass frontage or the floor area? 😉
C
Cailleach2 Mar 2022 09:35Hi! Thanks for the quick response.
Only the material cost at Pineca is clear. We can do a lot ourselves and, apart from an electrician, we have almost everything “necessary” covered by friends and family. But yes… the 200,000 euros is the problem.
My idea was therefore a modular house. We will earn significantly more in the (near) future (still studying), but we don’t know if, or how many, children there will be. So my idea is: make it nice for two people, then expand later if needed.
A timber plank house should be able to offer that as well, right?
Or does it end up being “neither here nor there,” and it’s better to wait for “later”?
We are just afraid that it will feel “unfinished” and clearly has disadvantages (insulation, space, quality…) compared to solid or traditional houses. On the other hand, I really like the idea of simply blending into the forest.
Only the material cost at Pineca is clear. We can do a lot ourselves and, apart from an electrician, we have almost everything “necessary” covered by friends and family. But yes… the 200,000 euros is the problem.
My idea was therefore a modular house. We will earn significantly more in the (near) future (still studying), but we don’t know if, or how many, children there will be. So my idea is: make it nice for two people, then expand later if needed.
A timber plank house should be able to offer that as well, right?
Or does it end up being “neither here nor there,” and it’s better to wait for “later”?
We are just afraid that it will feel “unfinished” and clearly has disadvantages (insulation, space, quality…) compared to solid or traditional houses. On the other hand, I really like the idea of simply blending into the forest.
Oh, you’re still so young? Then just wait a bit and save up, especially once you have the land secured.
Adding an extension is a tricky thing. Sure, it’s possible. But do people really do it? Do you spend two months in a hotel or holiday rental during that time?
It’s more common to live in a camper van or container and then build properly a few years later.
Adding an extension is a tricky thing. Sure, it’s possible. But do people really do it? Do you spend two months in a hotel or holiday rental during that time?
It’s more common to live in a camper van or container and then build properly a few years later.
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Cailleach2 Mar 2022 09:40Hello Nida, thanks for your reply!
We are working hard and no longer completely new to this.
The financing is secured, leaving about 200,000 euros available after subtracting the cost of the land.
On the targeted plot, up to 120 m² (1,290 sq ft) is allowed with 1.5 stories. Since I have limited mobility, but would prefer a single-story anyway.
Currently, we need around 80 m² (860 sq ft). If children or 7 dogs join later, then we would make use of the full possible area. That’s why we are looking for a solution that can be easily expanded if needed.
Of course, the glass façade won’t cover the whole 80 m², but having a living room glass frontage would be something special...
We are working hard and no longer completely new to this.
The financing is secured, leaving about 200,000 euros available after subtracting the cost of the land.
On the targeted plot, up to 120 m² (1,290 sq ft) is allowed with 1.5 stories. Since I have limited mobility, but would prefer a single-story anyway.
Currently, we need around 80 m² (860 sq ft). If children or 7 dogs join later, then we would make use of the full possible area. That’s why we are looking for a solution that can be easily expanded if needed.
Of course, the glass façade won’t cover the whole 80 m², but having a living room glass frontage would be something special...
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