ᐅ New single-family house construction without a garage, self-performed work
Created on: 7 May 2019 14:05
S
StefMeister
Hello everyone,
I’m transitioning from a silent reader to an active participant. In the near future, probably within the next 2-3 months, my fiancée and I plan to start building a single-family home. Here are some background details about what we plan to build and some information about our finances.
About me and my fiancée:
Me:
Age: 24
Profession: Trained road construction foreman with a master craftsman certificate, currently working as a project manager in construction projects for electrical substations, building construction, and building refurbishment.
Her:
Age: 21
Profession: Tax clerk, currently studying to become a business lawyer, with plans to qualify as a tax advisor and later continue as a certified public accountant.
Finances:
Equity capital: Currently about €40,000 divided into €20,000 in mutual funds, €5,000 in ETFs, and €15,000 in bank savings
Net income: €4,700 per month
Savings per month: €2,800
Our net income is expected to increase to about €5,300 per month within the next 2-3 months due to promotions in both of our jobs. Financially, we are well-positioned since neither of us has reached the peak of our careers yet. There are no limits upwards, especially for her, as she is expected to make a significant leap once she completes her studies, likely within two years.
Building costs / financing:
Plot of land: €70,000, fully serviced (711m² (7640 sq ft), flat with a slope toward the road, see picture)
Construction costs (more details below): €300,000
Additional building-related costs: Will be paid entirely from equity
Connection costs: Approximately €8,000 (probably significantly less)
Loan amount: €400,000
Monthly payment supported by both of us: about €1,400 (based on a 25-year term as of four weeks ago, with additional repayments of 5-8% depending on the lender; I don’t remember the exact interest rate right now)
Background:
Our decision to build a house came very quickly for both of us. It might be hard to understand for many, but somehow this idea was always lingering subconsciously for both of us. I simply asked whether we should move in together since we already spend almost all day together apart from work, get along well, and never get bored or annoyed by each other. We are both very neat and tidy to the point that we sometimes keep everything too clean.
We compared the costs of renting an apartment and decided that building a house is a much better option for us. This fits our idea of home ownership much better than buying a condominium, which in our region either is poorly maintained or has way overpriced offers. This decision was not sudden and was communicated and agreed on with our families.
The house:
Once we had finally agreed to build our own house, I started ordering various catalogs and used a design program to incorporate all our ideas, which I then shared with my fiancée. We both fell in love with the design. Currently, only the staircase and the living room are being slightly reworked by the architect because our original plan was a bit too open, with a freestanding staircase and excessively large windows. After reviewing a similar house, we realized there was too much openness or visibility, which we wanted to reduce.
Our wish list includes a large, spacious kitchen with plenty of storage, an island, and a side-by-side refrigerator, since we both really enjoy cooking and spend a lot of time there. We wanted a large living room with a dining area but also a cozy retreat within the living room for relaxing, chatting, and reading – a kind of fireplace room.
We insisted on having a master bathroom on the upper floor prepared for a sauna, and our future children should each have their own bathrooms. This idea comes from our current living experience. We also want a guest bathroom with a shower on the ground floor because some relatives travel over 200 km (125 miles) to visit, and for convenience, having a toilet on the ground level is important.
Large windows facing the garden in the living room and the master bedroom on the upper floor are important as the sun shines into the garden from noon, giving beautiful natural light in both summer and winter.
Additionally, we need a home office big enough for both of us since we both work from home, and my employer actively supports telecommuting.
This was the basic concept, and once we agreed on that and our desired features, we started searching for land. We never expected to find something after two months, but by a stroke of luck, a plot became available right next to her parents’ house – perfectly suited for our home. Her father found out that the owners wanted to sell it, so we didn’t hesitate. Since I’m already well integrated into the village, moving my home base 5 km (3 miles) away was no issue.
Also, I’m a skilled craftsman and construction enthusiast. I did exactly what I love, and I really enjoy building and managing the challenges that come with it.
Now, the key details of the house:
- Approximately 180 m² (1937 sq ft) of living space
- 2 full stories
- No basement, but insulated floor slab (similar to Jakodur)
- No binding development plan
- Heating via district heating
- Underfloor heating in almost all rooms (both of us have dust allergies)
- Modern, minimalist urban villa style with simple black/gray tones without excessive decoration
- Facade with facing brick
- 3 bathrooms (one for the children, one for the parents, one guest bathroom with shower)
- Utility room for washing machine, storage, and building services with a tall corner window
- No garage
- Space and rooms prepared for two children
Still undecided:
- Whether to install a photovoltaic system for electricity generation on the roof
- Lighting with recessed spotlights in the roof overhang
As for the construction phase, the house will be built almost entirely by ourselves. The only contracted services will be the architectural work (the architect is a family friend and charges significantly less than usual) and probably the roof structure.
Why is this possible to build mainly by ourselves (which explains the cost of under €2,000 per m²)?
For earthworks, shell construction, interior finishing, heating and plumbing, and electrical work, we have master craftsmen in the family who have already promised to help and have been asked to contribute their labor. I will be building the shell with two masons, and about 20 friends have already agreed to help with the interior finishing. Additionally, we owe them a favor.
Moreover, we can save on materials since my father and brother work for a building material wholesaler.
The utilities connections will already be laid up to the property boundary during the current expansion, and because of my professional contacts to relevant authorities, this will be cheaper for us, although I am not allowed to carry out this work myself despite my qualifications.
For those who have read this far, I would appreciate both positive and negative feedback on the design (the most recent version will be shared after tomorrow’s architect meeting) and on our overall plans. I look forward to your responses, suggestions, and critiques.
I’m transitioning from a silent reader to an active participant. In the near future, probably within the next 2-3 months, my fiancée and I plan to start building a single-family home. Here are some background details about what we plan to build and some information about our finances.
About me and my fiancée:
Me:
Age: 24
Profession: Trained road construction foreman with a master craftsman certificate, currently working as a project manager in construction projects for electrical substations, building construction, and building refurbishment.
Her:
Age: 21
Profession: Tax clerk, currently studying to become a business lawyer, with plans to qualify as a tax advisor and later continue as a certified public accountant.
Finances:
Equity capital: Currently about €40,000 divided into €20,000 in mutual funds, €5,000 in ETFs, and €15,000 in bank savings
Net income: €4,700 per month
Savings per month: €2,800
Our net income is expected to increase to about €5,300 per month within the next 2-3 months due to promotions in both of our jobs. Financially, we are well-positioned since neither of us has reached the peak of our careers yet. There are no limits upwards, especially for her, as she is expected to make a significant leap once she completes her studies, likely within two years.
Building costs / financing:
Plot of land: €70,000, fully serviced (711m² (7640 sq ft), flat with a slope toward the road, see picture)
Construction costs (more details below): €300,000
Additional building-related costs: Will be paid entirely from equity
Connection costs: Approximately €8,000 (probably significantly less)
Loan amount: €400,000
Monthly payment supported by both of us: about €1,400 (based on a 25-year term as of four weeks ago, with additional repayments of 5-8% depending on the lender; I don’t remember the exact interest rate right now)
Background:
Our decision to build a house came very quickly for both of us. It might be hard to understand for many, but somehow this idea was always lingering subconsciously for both of us. I simply asked whether we should move in together since we already spend almost all day together apart from work, get along well, and never get bored or annoyed by each other. We are both very neat and tidy to the point that we sometimes keep everything too clean.
We compared the costs of renting an apartment and decided that building a house is a much better option for us. This fits our idea of home ownership much better than buying a condominium, which in our region either is poorly maintained or has way overpriced offers. This decision was not sudden and was communicated and agreed on with our families.
The house:
Once we had finally agreed to build our own house, I started ordering various catalogs and used a design program to incorporate all our ideas, which I then shared with my fiancée. We both fell in love with the design. Currently, only the staircase and the living room are being slightly reworked by the architect because our original plan was a bit too open, with a freestanding staircase and excessively large windows. After reviewing a similar house, we realized there was too much openness or visibility, which we wanted to reduce.
Our wish list includes a large, spacious kitchen with plenty of storage, an island, and a side-by-side refrigerator, since we both really enjoy cooking and spend a lot of time there. We wanted a large living room with a dining area but also a cozy retreat within the living room for relaxing, chatting, and reading – a kind of fireplace room.
We insisted on having a master bathroom on the upper floor prepared for a sauna, and our future children should each have their own bathrooms. This idea comes from our current living experience. We also want a guest bathroom with a shower on the ground floor because some relatives travel over 200 km (125 miles) to visit, and for convenience, having a toilet on the ground level is important.
Large windows facing the garden in the living room and the master bedroom on the upper floor are important as the sun shines into the garden from noon, giving beautiful natural light in both summer and winter.
Additionally, we need a home office big enough for both of us since we both work from home, and my employer actively supports telecommuting.
This was the basic concept, and once we agreed on that and our desired features, we started searching for land. We never expected to find something after two months, but by a stroke of luck, a plot became available right next to her parents’ house – perfectly suited for our home. Her father found out that the owners wanted to sell it, so we didn’t hesitate. Since I’m already well integrated into the village, moving my home base 5 km (3 miles) away was no issue.
Also, I’m a skilled craftsman and construction enthusiast. I did exactly what I love, and I really enjoy building and managing the challenges that come with it.
Now, the key details of the house:
- Approximately 180 m² (1937 sq ft) of living space
- 2 full stories
- No basement, but insulated floor slab (similar to Jakodur)
- No binding development plan
- Heating via district heating
- Underfloor heating in almost all rooms (both of us have dust allergies)
- Modern, minimalist urban villa style with simple black/gray tones without excessive decoration
- Facade with facing brick
- 3 bathrooms (one for the children, one for the parents, one guest bathroom with shower)
- Utility room for washing machine, storage, and building services with a tall corner window
- No garage
- Space and rooms prepared for two children
Still undecided:
- Whether to install a photovoltaic system for electricity generation on the roof
- Lighting with recessed spotlights in the roof overhang
As for the construction phase, the house will be built almost entirely by ourselves. The only contracted services will be the architectural work (the architect is a family friend and charges significantly less than usual) and probably the roof structure.
Why is this possible to build mainly by ourselves (which explains the cost of under €2,000 per m²)?
For earthworks, shell construction, interior finishing, heating and plumbing, and electrical work, we have master craftsmen in the family who have already promised to help and have been asked to contribute their labor. I will be building the shell with two masons, and about 20 friends have already agreed to help with the interior finishing. Additionally, we owe them a favor.
Moreover, we can save on materials since my father and brother work for a building material wholesaler.
The utilities connections will already be laid up to the property boundary during the current expansion, and because of my professional contacts to relevant authorities, this will be cheaper for us, although I am not allowed to carry out this work myself despite my qualifications.
For those who have read this far, I would appreciate both positive and negative feedback on the design (the most recent version will be shared after tomorrow’s architect meeting) and on our overall plans. I look forward to your responses, suggestions, and critiques.
S
StefMeister8 May 2019 10:41This has already been discussed with the banks, and they have no concerns about it. They would support the project accordingly. This is simply because I have already spoken with all parties involved. For the bank, it is only important that everything is carried out professionally (which is obviously also in my interest) and that the architect confirms that each party has the necessary expertise to perform their trade. This is usually quickly verified with a master craftsman certificate.
The banks were partly surprised by what I presented to them. I prefer not to go into discussions unprepared or uninformed, and with just under 10 pages summarizing the situation and the credit requirements, they were quite impressed. It’s probably unusual for someone my age to think so clearly in this area.
The banks were partly surprised by what I presented to them. I prefer not to go into discussions unprepared or uninformed, and with just under 10 pages summarizing the situation and the credit requirements, they were quite impressed. It’s probably unusual for someone my age to think so clearly in this area.
First of all, congratulations on finding a plot of land that suits you and where you can imagine living. It really seems like no compromise was made here, unlike what is often read elsewhere. It is also affordable with around 70,000 euros from memory...
What you can save through EL is considerable if you come from the trade yourself. There is quite a bit to do. However, when I look at the oversized windows and the staircase, which demands a lot from the structural engineering, I doubt the 300,000 euros, which apparently also include additional building costs. I do not want to say more on the subject of costs.
However, you should consider whether to include funds or ETFs (whatever those are) in your financing. I currently see only 15,000 euros of personal capital—and as much as possible should still be saved because the kitchen and the garden also need to be paid for. Then, 30 days of vacation plus 200 overtime hours is not exactly generous to build a house with an approximate construction time of a year or more while working in EL. Even if you are a professional, 12-hour days (since you cannot work overtime then) can eventually be very exhausting—even with 24.
There is not much to say about the current floor plan, since many things (such as the staircase and windows) will be changed. A site plan with measurements and the house drawn on it would be helpful, by the way. Orientation: very important... missing... And honestly: the drawings are very hard to read. The dimension lines do not stand out from the actual drawing, i.e., the walls, or vice versa. So, it is very difficult to see where the walls actually are.
A few remarks on some statements:
A few words about the actual house construction, which I derive from a few quotes and the draft, inspired by #6 from @hampshire:
You are now 21 and 24... I am not a fan of building too early, but I do not want to focus on that here. However, it is noticeable that more value is placed on a house that impresses you personally than one that functions well in everyday life. This may be true if you speak about your partner:
Regarding a) (without getting too personal) one wants to eventually have the bathroom to oneself, without the other person intruding from one end of the house to the other. The walk-in closet should also be planned so that you do not disturb the other person when getting up or being ill. An overly open "staircase" to the chill area does not offer enough privacy. With the planned two children, life will get a bit busier since friends and schoolmates will eventually come to the house independently and should find their way to the children’s rooms without problems.
Regarding b) this quote:
I see no connection here to children and living together with toddlers, schoolchildren, or adolescents. The house is equipped with spacious children’s rooms (in my opinion, even too large), but in the first 12 years, children are very much the focus and also need supervision. There is no “I wish for an evening just for the two of us” then; after a 14-hour day, you probably just collapse into bed. Children will share the bathroom with the parents. Kids need supervision when brushing their teeth, etc. This also applies to the bathtub and sauna. Why should comfort be withheld from children if it is used openly and fully?
The house should be built for your future and your life together as a family—then you should focus your house planning on something family-oriented and not build a house designed only for a couple, with generously planned children’s rooms, but without consideration.
Maybe the mothers and fathers here will add a few words about the daily up and down the stairs for laundry, vacuum cleaner, and cleaning supplies. Decoration needs for Christmas and Easter, as well as beverage crates and waste paper storage. All of this takes up space and will increase a lot over the years without you doing anything for it.
What you can save through EL is considerable if you come from the trade yourself. There is quite a bit to do. However, when I look at the oversized windows and the staircase, which demands a lot from the structural engineering, I doubt the 300,000 euros, which apparently also include additional building costs. I do not want to say more on the subject of costs.
However, you should consider whether to include funds or ETFs (whatever those are) in your financing. I currently see only 15,000 euros of personal capital—and as much as possible should still be saved because the kitchen and the garden also need to be paid for. Then, 30 days of vacation plus 200 overtime hours is not exactly generous to build a house with an approximate construction time of a year or more while working in EL. Even if you are a professional, 12-hour days (since you cannot work overtime then) can eventually be very exhausting—even with 24.
There is not much to say about the current floor plan, since many things (such as the staircase and windows) will be changed. A site plan with measurements and the house drawn on it would be helpful, by the way. Orientation: very important... missing... And honestly: the drawings are very hard to read. The dimension lines do not stand out from the actual drawing, i.e., the walls, or vice versa. So, it is very difficult to see where the walls actually are.
A few remarks on some statements:
StefMeister schrieb:With 15 or so overnight guests per year, the guest WC should also include a shower, so it should be larger than in this draft.
Then a guest bathroom or shower since some relatives will often travel over 200 km (around 125 miles) and simply to have a toilet on the ground floor.
StefMeister schrieb:What is nice in the living room may be quite bad in the bedroom. Too large windows in the bedroom area mean high temperatures and a room atmosphere that lacks coziness, protection, or comfort—sometimes even worse. So what use is a panoramic window in the walk-in closet if one does not want to undress there? The bathroom applies similarly.
Then large window areas facing the garden on the ground floor and in the master bedroom upstairs. The sun shines beautifully into the garden from noon onwards, creating a nice light effect in summer and winter.
StefMeister schrieb:Actually, you could... you probably would not even notice, and if you do, then positively, since 10 meters (about 33 feet) to the dining table is not exactly convenient!
- Cannot do without:
Kitchen and living room size
A few words about the actual house construction, which I derive from a few quotes and the draft, inspired by #6 from @hampshire:
You are now 21 and 24... I am not a fan of building too early, but I do not want to focus on that here. However, it is noticeable that more value is placed on a house that impresses you personally than one that functions well in everyday life. This may be true if you speak about your partner:
StefMeister schrieb:...but a house also involves other roles beyond the romantic nest-building. One should a) also be able to function independently and b) function as a parental role. After all, children are planned. You and your relationship will change, just as you will— not negatively, but differently.
Since we already spend the whole day together except for work and can tolerate each other, and above all neither of us gets bored, conversation topics do not run out, and each of us’s tidiness does not bother the other. We are both fastidious tidiers and sometimes keep everything too clean.
Regarding a) (without getting too personal) one wants to eventually have the bathroom to oneself, without the other person intruding from one end of the house to the other. The walk-in closet should also be planned so that you do not disturb the other person when getting up or being ill. An overly open "staircase" to the chill area does not offer enough privacy. With the planned two children, life will get a bit busier since friends and schoolmates will eventually come to the house independently and should find their way to the children’s rooms without problems.
Regarding b) this quote:
StefMeister schrieb:
The master bedroom is chosen large because we like to retreat there for some quiet time away from the children in the future, hence separate bathrooms. The sauna is for us at first; we will see if the children want to use the sauna later.
I see no connection here to children and living together with toddlers, schoolchildren, or adolescents. The house is equipped with spacious children’s rooms (in my opinion, even too large), but in the first 12 years, children are very much the focus and also need supervision. There is no “I wish for an evening just for the two of us” then; after a 14-hour day, you probably just collapse into bed. Children will share the bathroom with the parents. Kids need supervision when brushing their teeth, etc. This also applies to the bathtub and sauna. Why should comfort be withheld from children if it is used openly and fully?
The house should be built for your future and your life together as a family—then you should focus your house planning on something family-oriented and not build a house designed only for a couple, with generously planned children’s rooms, but without consideration.
Maybe the mothers and fathers here will add a few words about the daily up and down the stairs for laundry, vacuum cleaner, and cleaning supplies. Decoration needs for Christmas and Easter, as well as beverage crates and waste paper storage. All of this takes up space and will increase a lot over the years without you doing anything for it.
S
StefMeister8 May 2019 11:46@ypg First of all, thank you for this detailed response.
Currently, the time I can invest is limited; overtime is generally not encouraged in our company. Saving up the current 200 hours was only possible through an agreement with the works council. Otherwise, employees are expected not to exceed a 38-hour week, and if overtime is worked, it must be compensated immediately. I’m quite positive about the time I can invest in the house; by 2:45 PM, I’m already home during the week, so there is still plenty of time to use.
We designed the children’s rooms based on our own lifestyle. That means I agree that for about 10 years it will likely be unavoidable for the children to sleep in their own bedrooms, but we both believe they should start becoming independent fairly quickly. At the moment, I don’t mind the size of the children’s rooms and wouldn’t want to reduce it even though they are certainly quite large. Regarding the sauna, I wasn’t familiar with it as a child and couldn’t really relate, but I am definitely intrigued by the ideas shared here, and we are still considering it.
As for the window areas in the bedroom, they will be smaller in the new design and cozier. The bedroom bathroom will be separated from the bedroom by glass partitions. I agree with you about the possibility of it being disruptive, but currently, we get up together in the mornings, and as a man, I’m quite pragmatic regarding the bathroom and the space needed in the dressing room.
The kitchen is a gift from my father-in-law. The garden will develop gradually, but only materials need to be sourced for now.
Unfortunately, it’s not really clear from the photos of the plans how everything is drawn. There is a spacious shower in the guest bathroom as well.
I would prefer to postpone your suggestions regarding the floor plan until this evening or tomorrow. The version shown here in the photo is definitely no longer current, and almost everything you suggested was already discussed and agreed upon at the previous meeting.
Currently, the time I can invest is limited; overtime is generally not encouraged in our company. Saving up the current 200 hours was only possible through an agreement with the works council. Otherwise, employees are expected not to exceed a 38-hour week, and if overtime is worked, it must be compensated immediately. I’m quite positive about the time I can invest in the house; by 2:45 PM, I’m already home during the week, so there is still plenty of time to use.
We designed the children’s rooms based on our own lifestyle. That means I agree that for about 10 years it will likely be unavoidable for the children to sleep in their own bedrooms, but we both believe they should start becoming independent fairly quickly. At the moment, I don’t mind the size of the children’s rooms and wouldn’t want to reduce it even though they are certainly quite large. Regarding the sauna, I wasn’t familiar with it as a child and couldn’t really relate, but I am definitely intrigued by the ideas shared here, and we are still considering it.
As for the window areas in the bedroom, they will be smaller in the new design and cozier. The bedroom bathroom will be separated from the bedroom by glass partitions. I agree with you about the possibility of it being disruptive, but currently, we get up together in the mornings, and as a man, I’m quite pragmatic regarding the bathroom and the space needed in the dressing room.
The kitchen is a gift from my father-in-law. The garden will develop gradually, but only materials need to be sourced for now.
Unfortunately, it’s not really clear from the photos of the plans how everything is drawn. There is a spacious shower in the guest bathroom as well.
I would prefer to postpone your suggestions regarding the floor plan until this evening or tomorrow. The version shown here in the photo is definitely no longer current, and almost everything you suggested was already discussed and agreed upon at the previous meeting.
StefMeister schrieb:
Laundry goes into baskets, and I prefer to keep cleaning supplies centralized in one place; otherwise, I quickly lose track of them and end up buying duplicates of things I already have. Yes, it can certainly happen that you buy duplicates, especially since you need to supply both the ground floor and the upper floor. This isn’t an apartment!
StefMeister schrieb:
At 2:45 p.m., I’m already home during the week, so you actually have plenty of time to use. Have you considered that your romantic relationship might quickly enter a different phase?
StefMeister schrieb:
Currently, we get up together in the morning, and since I am quite pragmatic as a man regarding the bathroom and space needed in the "dressing room??" Being pragmatic means making the bathroom accessible to everyone and not having to pass through bedrooms to reach any rooms. There will definitely be times in life and in a partnership when you don’t get up together. Each partner will appreciate if the house is designed so that they can enjoy a quiet phase in bed while the other gets ready. To me, it sounds like you are still in the “clingy phase.” No offense intended. But this phase won’t last forever—partners often long for independence again.
I took another look at the upper floor regarding the fireplace... What kind of wall is there in the bedroom? Also, the bathroom has no access to the hallway because of the staircase location...
@wrobel already said it: a house plan stands or falls with the staircase. Everything should be reconsidered and redesigned.
S
StefMeister8 May 2019 13:37@ypg Cleaning supplies will definitely be stored centrally in one place. I can speak from experience that it’s easy to keep them all together. Of course, it’s not an apartment, but I’m not in favor of having too many chemicals scattered in multiple locations. I’ve seen this at my mother’s house, where she keeps supplies in the basement, bathroom, and pantry, and sometimes doesn’t even know where something is. So she just takes what she needs from a single spot. We agreed that having one central storage area, even if it means walking a bit, is more practical and comfortable for us.
Regarding the design again, it will definitely look better by this evening. However, I don’t really agree that it’s disturbing. We’re both independent enough to have thoughtfully decided to have a bedroom with a separate bathroom and sauna. The children each have their own bathroom as they grow older, and the sauna will initially only be used by us. Later, when the kids are old enough, we’ll see if they like it. But the sauna area itself will not be changed — we planned it that way based on the habits and usage of our parents.
I can only make a statement about the fireplace later this evening.
Unfortunately, the pictures here are really poor and don’t accurately reflect the floor plan as it is planned.
We’ve already gone through the construction phase; we’re both quite experienced now, and I don’t see any major noise sources in the floor plan in the mornings. But I’m happy to be corrected on that.
Regarding the design again, it will definitely look better by this evening. However, I don’t really agree that it’s disturbing. We’re both independent enough to have thoughtfully decided to have a bedroom with a separate bathroom and sauna. The children each have their own bathroom as they grow older, and the sauna will initially only be used by us. Later, when the kids are old enough, we’ll see if they like it. But the sauna area itself will not be changed — we planned it that way based on the habits and usage of our parents.
I can only make a statement about the fireplace later this evening.
Unfortunately, the pictures here are really poor and don’t accurately reflect the floor plan as it is planned.
We’ve already gone through the construction phase; we’re both quite experienced now, and I don’t see any major noise sources in the floor plan in the mornings. But I’m happy to be corrected on that.
You need to plan your house for different life stages:
- Young couple with two incomes
- Family with a toddler
- Family with teenagers
- Older couple with two incomes and no children
Young couples with two incomes know their requirements. Families with teenagers do as well – you’ve experienced it from the children’s perspective. I don’t find the rooms too large for teenagers.
Families with a baby or toddler:
Don’t overplan how you will do things – everything usually turns out differently than expected. Children generate huge piles of laundry. Having a way to prepare bottles at night on the sleeping level is priceless – coffee, too. Cleaning cloths, brooms, and buckets within easy reach are not a luxury. Accidents happen all the time. Milk spills, vomiting, things get knocked over – it’s simply practical to be able to clean up quickly before the mess spreads or broken pieces get crawled over. It takes years before children can use the toilet, get dressed, shower, and brush their teeth on their own. You cannot leave babies and toddlers alone; you carry them everywhere. One child in your arms, laundry basket on the other side. How many parents wish they were Hulk with arms like an octopus?
Sleep becomes a luxury. Many parents take turns so someone can get a full night’s rest. That means you don’t notice full diapers, bath time, or clothing changes. This is not possible with your parent suite.
- Young couple with two incomes
- Family with a toddler
- Family with teenagers
- Older couple with two incomes and no children
Young couples with two incomes know their requirements. Families with teenagers do as well – you’ve experienced it from the children’s perspective. I don’t find the rooms too large for teenagers.
Families with a baby or toddler:
Don’t overplan how you will do things – everything usually turns out differently than expected. Children generate huge piles of laundry. Having a way to prepare bottles at night on the sleeping level is priceless – coffee, too. Cleaning cloths, brooms, and buckets within easy reach are not a luxury. Accidents happen all the time. Milk spills, vomiting, things get knocked over – it’s simply practical to be able to clean up quickly before the mess spreads or broken pieces get crawled over. It takes years before children can use the toilet, get dressed, shower, and brush their teeth on their own. You cannot leave babies and toddlers alone; you carry them everywhere. One child in your arms, laundry basket on the other side. How many parents wish they were Hulk with arms like an octopus?
Sleep becomes a luxury. Many parents take turns so someone can get a full night’s rest. That means you don’t notice full diapers, bath time, or clothing changes. This is not possible with your parent suite.
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