ᐅ New Single-Family Home Construction: Choosing the Right Builder?
Created on: 8 May 2015 17:01
C
ChriGro
Hello forum members,
We now have a plot of land and are in the planning phase for building a new single-family house. We have given it some thought, but we are still beginners in this field. We have already created a floor plan and thus have a rough idea of the design. We have spoken with a few contractors to check whether 1. the floor plan can be implemented as planned, and 2. if it fits within our budget. Both are okay.
Now, our preliminary question is whether we should have the entire construction carried out by a single contractor (with an independent construction supervisor), or if it would be better to have the contractor build the shell, so the exterior is finished, and then subcontract specialized work for the interior—particularly the heating and plumbing.
Is it cheaper (or at least equally priced but with better quality) to plan and install everything through a heating engineer and bathroom installer?
The contractor often works with various heating companies and generally recommends certain manufacturers. Our plan includes an air-to-water heat pump with underfloor heating. The underfloor heating, screed, and tiles would be installed or laid by ourselves. Although the recommended manufacturers are well-known and presumably reliable, a heating professional might better advise us on whether this is the best solution. The question, however, is whether this would significantly increase the cost.
Another point is how this relates to obtaining a KfW loan (minimum KfW55 standard). Do you only receive the loan after the KfW confirms that the KfW standard has been met? This seems somewhat contradictory since we would need to invest in meeting these standards upfront to qualify for the funding.
Perhaps our approach is completely wrong, and you can suggest a different way to approach building a house.
Thanks in advance,
Regards, Chrigro
We now have a plot of land and are in the planning phase for building a new single-family house. We have given it some thought, but we are still beginners in this field. We have already created a floor plan and thus have a rough idea of the design. We have spoken with a few contractors to check whether 1. the floor plan can be implemented as planned, and 2. if it fits within our budget. Both are okay.
Now, our preliminary question is whether we should have the entire construction carried out by a single contractor (with an independent construction supervisor), or if it would be better to have the contractor build the shell, so the exterior is finished, and then subcontract specialized work for the interior—particularly the heating and plumbing.
Is it cheaper (or at least equally priced but with better quality) to plan and install everything through a heating engineer and bathroom installer?
The contractor often works with various heating companies and generally recommends certain manufacturers. Our plan includes an air-to-water heat pump with underfloor heating. The underfloor heating, screed, and tiles would be installed or laid by ourselves. Although the recommended manufacturers are well-known and presumably reliable, a heating professional might better advise us on whether this is the best solution. The question, however, is whether this would significantly increase the cost.
Another point is how this relates to obtaining a KfW loan (minimum KfW55 standard). Do you only receive the loan after the KfW confirms that the KfW standard has been met? This seems somewhat contradictory since we would need to invest in meeting these standards upfront to qualify for the funding.
Perhaps our approach is completely wrong, and you can suggest a different way to approach building a house.
Thanks in advance,
Regards, Chrigro
We would prefer a staircase that is not straight (just no spiral stairs), but we weren’t sure how to fit one in there.
The knee wall height is allowed to be 7.5 meters (25 feet) according to the building regulations.
We actually only created the floor plan as a preliminary draft, just so we wouldn’t waste unnecessary time explaining our wishes during meetings with the builders.
According to the construction company, there would be no price difference if we make the corner in the dining area. So, this space could also be used for a larger kitchen. However, we initially chose the corner because it would automatically provide a partially covered terrace.
The knee wall height is allowed to be 7.5 meters (25 feet) according to the building regulations.
We actually only created the floor plan as a preliminary draft, just so we wouldn’t waste unnecessary time explaining our wishes during meetings with the builders.
According to the construction company, there would be no price difference if we make the corner in the dining area. So, this space could also be used for a larger kitchen. However, we initially chose the corner because it would automatically provide a partially covered terrace.
A detailed list of your requirements would definitely be more helpful, as it is more universally applicable. After all, a room layout, meaning the floor plan, largely depends on the staircase and its possible placements.
You mention a knee wall height of 7.5 m (25 feet), do you mean the external eaves height? Also, what knee wall / dwarf wall height have you planned for the interior of the attic?
You mention a knee wall height of 7.5 m (25 feet), do you mean the external eaves height? Also, what knee wall / dwarf wall height have you planned for the interior of the attic?
It is important to us that the living room measures 5×6 m (with separated sides so that the back of the sofa is not directly visible and the media wall is enclosed),
the master bedroom on the ground floor is at least 3.5×4 m,
the guest bathroom has a spacious shower, and
that you can see the front door from the hallway on the upper floor.
However, the hallway should not be too narrow.
We also want to install a ventilation system. Definitely a centralized one. We will install it ourselves. Ideally, it would include heat recovery. However, we are still unsure about the additional material costs.
The development plan states that the vertical measurement between the highest point of the building and the finished floor level must not exceed 7.5 m (ridge height). A small roof structure would be optimal (for the batteries of the photovoltaic system). However, we have not planned anything for this yet.
the master bedroom on the ground floor is at least 3.5×4 m,
the guest bathroom has a spacious shower, and
that you can see the front door from the hallway on the upper floor.
However, the hallway should not be too narrow.
We also want to install a ventilation system. Definitely a centralized one. We will install it ourselves. Ideally, it would include heat recovery. However, we are still unsure about the additional material costs.
The development plan states that the vertical measurement between the highest point of the building and the finished floor level must not exceed 7.5 m (ridge height). A small roof structure would be optimal (for the batteries of the photovoltaic system). However, we have not planned anything for this yet.
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