ᐅ Narrow Plot with Borderline Construction – Various Questions and Issues
Created on: 29 Mar 2018 10:12
H
Helado
Hello everyone,
My girlfriend and I are currently in the process of planning our build, but we’re not making much progress. We are considering a prefab house (we have already visited several providers; some are better than others). During the planning phase, we’ve encountered a few issues that I would like to briefly explain:
1. The existing plot is seven meters (23 feet) wide and about 90 meters (295 feet) long. Building directly on the boundary on both sides is allowed (!). However, no windows are permitted on the side walls, and the side wall must be a fire-rated wall with F90 classification. We do not want a basement. Our plan is roughly 7 meters (23 feet) wide and 12–13 meters (39–43 feet) long, with two full floors. Whether or not to convert the attic is still debatable; there are many arguments for and against it.
2. Since side windows are not allowed, the kitchen and front door need to be located at the front of the house (meaning no side entrance). Additionally, the technical room should be positioned so that the entrance is in the middle, the kitchen on the left, and the utility/technical room on the right.
3. Furthermore, we are unsure which heating system we need. Many prefab providers recommend a heat pump with heat recovery and fresh air supply from outside. Energy consumption estimates vary. One provider offers a gas condensing boiler system combined with a solar system on the roof for hot water production.
Online, there are countless floor plans, and about 90% have the kitchen located more or less in the middle with a side window for ventilation, which is not possible for us. Last night, I wondered why the kitchen couldn’t face the living room or garden instead...
Or is it better to plan everything with an architect?
Do you have any advice on how we could proceed with our “problems” and situation?
Thank you in advance!
My girlfriend and I are currently in the process of planning our build, but we’re not making much progress. We are considering a prefab house (we have already visited several providers; some are better than others). During the planning phase, we’ve encountered a few issues that I would like to briefly explain:
1. The existing plot is seven meters (23 feet) wide and about 90 meters (295 feet) long. Building directly on the boundary on both sides is allowed (!). However, no windows are permitted on the side walls, and the side wall must be a fire-rated wall with F90 classification. We do not want a basement. Our plan is roughly 7 meters (23 feet) wide and 12–13 meters (39–43 feet) long, with two full floors. Whether or not to convert the attic is still debatable; there are many arguments for and against it.
2. Since side windows are not allowed, the kitchen and front door need to be located at the front of the house (meaning no side entrance). Additionally, the technical room should be positioned so that the entrance is in the middle, the kitchen on the left, and the utility/technical room on the right.
3. Furthermore, we are unsure which heating system we need. Many prefab providers recommend a heat pump with heat recovery and fresh air supply from outside. Energy consumption estimates vary. One provider offers a gas condensing boiler system combined with a solar system on the roof for hot water production.
Online, there are countless floor plans, and about 90% have the kitchen located more or less in the middle with a side window for ventilation, which is not possible for us. Last night, I wondered why the kitchen couldn’t face the living room or garden instead...
Or is it better to plan everything with an architect?
Do you have any advice on how we could proceed with our “problems” and situation?
Thank you in advance!
If you want to look at finished floor plans, check out terraced house providers – after all, you’re building a mid-terrace house, but it will be detached.
Most general contractors don’t advertise using this term (it’s not well known among laypeople during the initial Google search phase). If you’re talking about custom solid houses, you’re probably in the right place. They often simply refer to themselves as “construction companies.”
Most general contractors don’t advertise using this term (it’s not well known among laypeople during the initial Google search phase). If you’re talking about custom solid houses, you’re probably in the right place. They often simply refer to themselves as “construction companies.”
We have friends who built with a solid construction company (is it allowed to mention names?) and through them, we arranged an appointment. He "forgot" this appointment, so we were left waiting... At the second appointment, we also didn’t really get the impression that he was attentive to our wishes...
We don’t know yet; it depends on many factors: What type of heating system, should the garage be planned from the start?, photovoltaic panels on the roof (it will be difficult to add them later since the sunny side faces the garden and cables would have to go through the house), what level of energy efficiency (55, 40, or 40+), and so on. Does it need to be a turnkey or a ready-to-move-in house?
I estimate the cost to be between 270,000 and 300,000 (plus the demolition of the existing apartment on the property— but then where will we live?)
I estimate the cost to be between 270,000 and 300,000 (plus the demolition of the existing apartment on the property— but then where will we live?)