ᐅ New Home Construction in Apolda – But With Whom?

As I already mentioned in the other subforum, we plan to build a new house no later than early next year. Used, almost new properties (so not outdated or poorly built) are almost as expensive as a new build.

The house is planned to be built in Apolda or the surrounding area. We could already purchase a suitable plot this year; it is located in a residential area and is an infill lot.

The only problem I currently see is that there seem to be very few reputable house-building companies. Of course, I have looked at countless offers on Immoscout24 and various solid house catalogs over the past few weeks, but as soon as I found something suitable and then googled the builder, my positive impression vanished.

Offer from Heinz von Heiden (MODICUS-SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSE M61.D/P-K+S45+H): costs €152,000 (including the plot). It includes 40cm (16 inches) solid walls (some build with 17.5cm (7 inches) bricks), solar thermal systems, etc. But is it advisable to build a Heinz von Heiden house given the poor reviews? Many say: "stay away," "never again," and so on. The thing is, satisfied homeowners usually don’t post online, but the unhappy ones do. Our Heinz von Heiden agent claimed that competitors pay people to post bad reviews. Well. There are certainly significant regional differences, and much probably depends on the site manager. If they are good and take their time, everything can run smoothly.

Offer from Ambiente Massivhaus (House Westerwald): very extensive included services in the construction specification, e.g., soil survey, site setup and clearance, and interior skim coating (to prepare for painting). No underfloor heating. Price with basement €155,000.

****** The Managing Director of Ambiente Massivhaus is Mr. M.S., see imprint

Offer from Partner Massivhaus (Klassiker):
€153,000 including the plot. Construction specification includes heat pump and underfloor heating. But again, a problem: the exterior walls are built with 17.5cm (7 inches) bricks. So more of a thin wall than a real one. Any other option, like a standard exterior wall with 30cm or 40cm (12 or 16 inches) Poroton bricks, costs extra. We will meet with the representative in August because they also sell the above-mentioned plot (plot can be purchased separately).

So, nothing really convincing so far.

There is still another option. I worked in Potsdam for almost four years. One of my former colleagues is a graduate engineer. She and her husband have been building houses together under a company since reunification. Not many, maybe 3-4 per year, but always top quality, very reliable, and with numerous awards. Their prices of €1000-1100 per m² (about $93-$102 per sq ft) of living space are in the same range as the offers mentioned above. I’m still in contact with her and had a long phone call today. She joked that they would be happy to build my house. However, the distance between Prussia and Thuringia is almost 300km (190 miles).

But the idea isn’t that bad. Of course, I would have to pay travel and accommodation costs. But for the six-month construction period, those costs are manageable considering the benefits. Above all, I know I can fully trust this company not to be taken advantage of. They only use high-quality materials. For example, underfloor heating and a fireplace are standard. She also explained that they don’t use concrete screed but rather the two-thirds more expensive but far superior anhydrite flowing screed, 6cm (2.4 inches) core insulation, triple-glazed windows, and so on. I could skip having a construction supervisor architect because I know they build without defects. Instead, I would pay for travel and accommodation costs. I prefer this solution the most.

What do you think?

Are there any other or additional house-building companies in Apolda and the surrounding area?

I have already contacted B & V, but they do not have finished solid house models, so I would have to go to an architect again to design one.

For house plus plot, we are willing to spend up to €160,000 (the plot costs €30-40,000). The remaining €40,000 should definitely cover all extra costs (property transfer tax, notary/land registry, soil survey, construction electricity/water, house connections (~ €6,000 on inquiry)). We can bring €120,000 as equity capital. Financing need is therefore a maximum of €80,000.

Comparison of Offers

1. Ambiente Solid House
House “Country House,” 132 sqm (1420 sq ft), 128,900 Euro

Advantages:
- Very comprehensive inclusions
- Includes soil survey
- 36.5 cm (14 inches) exterior walls
- Construction supervision by TÜV Süd included
- Builder’s liability and contractor insurance included
- Roof overhangs always 30 cm (12 inches)
- Windows: triple glazing, Ug 0.7 W/m2K
- Smoke detectors included
- Dirt filter installed after the water meter/water supply line

Disadvantages:
- No underfloor heating included
- No solar thermal system on the roof
- Relatively expensive
- Excavation of foundation pit included up to max. 20 cm (8 inches)
- Shower enclosure not included

Open questions:
Exterior walls/basement – what are installation walls? All other walls besides these are built solid from Poroton blocks

2. Domoplan Solid House
House “Young Family 110,” 124 sqm (1334 sq ft), 120,220 Euro (underfloor heating included)

Advantages:
- Includes soil investigation
- Includes site drainage plan
- Includes underfloor heating
- Includes thermal insulation calculation
- Includes solar thermal system on the roof
- Larger washbasins in bathroom and guest WC than Ambiente Solid House
- Includes insurance (except builder’s liability insurance)

Disadvantages:
- Only 24 cm (9.5 inches) exterior walls (Poroton)
- Drainage and grounding rods not explicitly stated (grounding described differently)
- Upper floor partition walls are drywall, not solid
- Double-glazed windows, U-value 1.1 W/m2K
- Shower enclosure not included

Open questions:
- Site setup: is scaffolding included?
- Drywall finished ready for wallpaper (“roughly smoothed”)?
- Outdoor water tap included?

3. Team Haus Dessau
House “Daniel,” just under 127 sqm (1366 sq ft), 126,400 Euro

Advantages:
- Credit check possible at Speisekammer Dessau
- Attractive hipped roof
- Underfloor heating included
- Solar thermal system on the roof included
- Outdoor water tap

Disadvantages:
- Only 24 cm (9.5 inches) walls
- Backfilling of excavation pit at additional cost
- Crane position and access road at extra cost
- Gravel fill (capillary layer) under the slab not explicitly mentioned
- Double-glazed windows with Ug 1.1 W/m2K
- Shower enclosure not included

Open questions:
- Tile work material cost: 20 Euro per sqm (1.86 sq ft)?
- Electrical installation: empty conduits for TV and telecom not included?

4. PBT Weimar GmbH
House: Carmen (model house), 124.5 sqm (1340 sq ft), just under 117,000 Euro

Advantages:
- 30 cm (12 inches) Ytong exterior walls
- Air-to-water heat pump and underfloor heating included
- Corner bathtub 1.40 x 1.40 m (55 x 55 inches)
- Larger shower tray and guest WC washbasin than Ambiente Solid House
- Locally available contractor

Disadvantages:
- Non-load-bearing interior walls only metal stud construction, not solid
- Tiles limited to 12 Euro/sqm (otherwise always 20 Euro/sqm)
- No insurance included
- No hot water heater/roof system
- No antenna or telecom connection on the upper floor

Open questions:
- Site setup: is scaffolding included?
- Is backfilling of foundation pit included?

The “Daniel” is visually the most attractive house. However, the construction specification often uses phrases like “Damp-proofing against rising moisture is carried out according to regulations,” which seems too vague to me. The Country House from Ambiente is also very nice with a comprehensive inclusion program. However, despite missing underfloor heating (about 5,000–6,000 Euro) and hot water heater/roof system, it is already very expensive. Those additions would probably cost around 15,000 Euro extra, right?

Domoplan and PBT are quite similar. Similar house styles and similar equipment.

What to choose?
Why does it have to be so difficult?

Regarding the building plot, we have now found wonderful new ones in Apolda/Oberndorf, 29 Euro/sqm (2.7 sq ft) is a great offer. Two-thirds are already sold. With 720 sqm (7,750 sq ft) we pay just under 21,000 Euro. The house could thus cost a maximum of 139,000 Euro. Total would be 160,000 Euro. Kitchen 10,000 Euro, lamps, paint, adhesive, and wallpaper 2,000 Euro, and floor coverings 5,000 Euro (carpet + laminate). All these will be done by ourselves. Additional costs about 20,000 Euro max (connection costs on inquiry total around 8,000 Euro).

Addition:

Company Ohrdrufer Hausbau GmbH
HOHB 130, 128 sqm (1378 sq ft), 127,209 Euro

Advantages:
- Includes painting and floor covering work
- Includes heat pump (air/water)
- Includes roller shutters on the ground floor
- Aluminum front door included
- 90 x 90 cm (35 x 35 inches) shower with acrylic enclosure
- Outdoor water tap included
- Stain protection coating on roof box included

Disadvantages:
- Interior walls are drywall, not solid
- No solar thermal system on the roof
- No underfloor heating
- Tile and carpet materials limited to 15 Euro/sqm (1.39 sq ft)

Currently, Deura, Wachsenburg Solid House, PBT Weimar GmbH, and Team Haus Dessau are still in the running. This week I expect the calculations for the planned house proposals. Then we will see how to proceed.

Hello Bulla2000,

we might consider building with Ambiente Haus. Why did you highlight the managing director in bold? Is there something questionable about him?

Hello romeo1982,

You noticed that the last post on this topic by Bulla2000 was from August 2010. His most recent post overall is from February 2012.

I doubt he will speak up here again...

Regards,

Dirk

That’s unfortunate ;-( You want to know who you are dealing with, especially when it involves so much money, like in house construction. Apparently, Bulla2000 had insider knowledge about the company’s managing director. As the saying goes: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!

But maybe someone else knows more?!