If we decide to go ahead with a current purchase option for a plot of land, this house type with the floor plans attached below would currently be our first choice. It represents a compromise between the required rooms and the price. However, we wouldn’t want to fully adopt the floor plan 100% as is – the extent to which changes are actually possible will depend on the budget, especially considering the already quite high price per square meter here. Our room for upgrades will therefore not be very generous...
Zoning plan/Restrictions
Plot size: 550 sqm (5920 sq ft)
Slope: minimal
Site coverage ratio
Floor area ratio
Building window, building line, and building boundary: the house could definitely be realised within these
Perimeter development
Number of parking spaces
Number of floors: all options possible
Roof shape: no specifications
Architectural style
Orientation
Maximum heights/restrictions
Other requirements
Homeowners’ requirements
Architectural style, roof shape, building type: single-family house, initially aiming for a gable roof
Basement, floors: basement still uncertain, 2 full floors would obviously be great
Number of occupants, age: 2 adults, 1 child + 1 baby, possibly 1 more maximum
Space needs on ground floor and upper floor: at least 2 children’s rooms, office absolutely necessary
Office: family use or home office? Professionally required office, potential use as guest room under consideration
Guests per year: quite a few visits expected
Open or closed architecture: want a closed kitchen!
Conservative or modern construction: hmmm
Open kitchen, kitchen island: closed kitchen
Number of dining seats: table in kitchen with 4 chairs, dining table with 6 chairs
Fireplace: no
Music/sound wall: not very important
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: garage to be integrated into the basement if there is one
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Additional wishes/special features/daily routine:
House design
Who planned it:
- Planner from a construction company, part of a general contractor’s series
- Architect
- DIY by you
What do you like most? An eventual third child suddenly possible
What don’t you like? Kitchen is too small for me, too few windows?
Estimated price according to architect/planner: expected to cost around 227,000 euros without painter and flooring work
Personal budget limit for house including fittings:
Preferred heating technology: definitely no ground source heat pump
If you have to give up something, which details/extensions:
- Can you do without: upper bathroom could be smaller, guest room not absolutely necessary
- Can you not do without: we need 2 bathrooms with showers, I want to have the option of placing a small table in the kitchen
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Perhaps you can give us your assessment on the following points:
1. At 152 sqm (1635 sq ft) of floor area, the house is not “small” – but we have also heard opinions that the children’s rooms are too small, the living-dining area is rather small, there is hardly any space for a play corner, and that the kitchen is too small; also the entrance area might be too small for a family of four with corresponding coats, shoes, cupboards. Does that also seem true to you at first glance?
2. I definitely want a closed kitchen and according to the general contractor, this is feasible here. But I also want a small table with 4 chairs in the kitchen. I don’t want to mess up the living room dining area every morning having breakfast with the children; I want to be able to quickly sweep the kitchen instead. I’m open for kitchen layout ideas. I’m not a master cook and it’s not a hobby for me, so I definitely don’t need a luxury kitchen with all the bells and whistles. But I really want this small table with 4 seats. Is that even possible in just under 11 sqm (118 sq ft)?
3. Since I fear the kitchen is too small for this, we had the idea to turn the 12 sqm (129 sq ft) guest room into the living room by removing the wall. The kitchen would then be extended towards the living room. Does that make sense?
4. Some comments on the floor plan mentioned that there are too few windows and that the house will not be very bright. Brightness is important to me though. Architecturally, it should be possible to add another window in the kitchen and also add skylights to the children’s rooms, right? But do you have any idea what such additional windows would cost? Are we talking around 500 euros (about 550 US dollars) or closer to 5,000 euros (about 5,500 US dollars) per window or something completely different?
Thanks for every opinion!
Zoning plan/Restrictions
Plot size: 550 sqm (5920 sq ft)
Slope: minimal
Site coverage ratio
Floor area ratio
Building window, building line, and building boundary: the house could definitely be realised within these
Perimeter development
Number of parking spaces
Number of floors: all options possible
Roof shape: no specifications
Architectural style
Orientation
Maximum heights/restrictions
Other requirements
Homeowners’ requirements
Architectural style, roof shape, building type: single-family house, initially aiming for a gable roof
Basement, floors: basement still uncertain, 2 full floors would obviously be great
Number of occupants, age: 2 adults, 1 child + 1 baby, possibly 1 more maximum
Space needs on ground floor and upper floor: at least 2 children’s rooms, office absolutely necessary
Office: family use or home office? Professionally required office, potential use as guest room under consideration
Guests per year: quite a few visits expected
Open or closed architecture: want a closed kitchen!
Conservative or modern construction: hmmm
Open kitchen, kitchen island: closed kitchen
Number of dining seats: table in kitchen with 4 chairs, dining table with 6 chairs
Fireplace: no
Music/sound wall: not very important
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: garage to be integrated into the basement if there is one
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Additional wishes/special features/daily routine:
House design
Who planned it:
- Planner from a construction company, part of a general contractor’s series
- Architect
- DIY by you
What do you like most? An eventual third child suddenly possible
What don’t you like? Kitchen is too small for me, too few windows?
Estimated price according to architect/planner: expected to cost around 227,000 euros without painter and flooring work
Personal budget limit for house including fittings:
Preferred heating technology: definitely no ground source heat pump
If you have to give up something, which details/extensions:
- Can you do without: upper bathroom could be smaller, guest room not absolutely necessary
- Can you not do without: we need 2 bathrooms with showers, I want to have the option of placing a small table in the kitchen
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Perhaps you can give us your assessment on the following points:
1. At 152 sqm (1635 sq ft) of floor area, the house is not “small” – but we have also heard opinions that the children’s rooms are too small, the living-dining area is rather small, there is hardly any space for a play corner, and that the kitchen is too small; also the entrance area might be too small for a family of four with corresponding coats, shoes, cupboards. Does that also seem true to you at first glance?
2. I definitely want a closed kitchen and according to the general contractor, this is feasible here. But I also want a small table with 4 chairs in the kitchen. I don’t want to mess up the living room dining area every morning having breakfast with the children; I want to be able to quickly sweep the kitchen instead. I’m open for kitchen layout ideas. I’m not a master cook and it’s not a hobby for me, so I definitely don’t need a luxury kitchen with all the bells and whistles. But I really want this small table with 4 seats. Is that even possible in just under 11 sqm (118 sq ft)?
3. Since I fear the kitchen is too small for this, we had the idea to turn the 12 sqm (129 sq ft) guest room into the living room by removing the wall. The kitchen would then be extended towards the living room. Does that make sense?
4. Some comments on the floor plan mentioned that there are too few windows and that the house will not be very bright. Brightness is important to me though. Architecturally, it should be possible to add another window in the kitchen and also add skylights to the children’s rooms, right? But do you have any idea what such additional windows would cost? Are we talking around 500 euros (about 550 US dollars) or closer to 5,000 euros (about 5,500 US dollars) per window or something completely different?
Thanks for every opinion!
We have made some further progress by now. Due to various reasons causing some concerns with the second provider, the second design I shared here will no longer be considered in the current selection, and we are reverting back to the first design, which is the first attached file.
At the moment, we are thinking of widening the house by 1 meter (3.3 feet) to the right. This would give us a total of 18 square meters (194 square feet) added to the ground floor and the upper floor combined.
The room labeled as "guest" in the plan would be redesigned as the kitchen. With the planned widening, the kitchen would have about 15 square meters (161 square feet), which should be enough to design it the way I envision it—as a separate room where you can also eat.
Consideration: a sliding door between the kitchen and the living room?
The TV wall would then naturally be moved to the opposite side. Accordingly, we would prefer to forgo the window there and instead place it in the kitchen.
At the moment, we are thinking of widening the house by 1 meter (3.3 feet) to the right. This would give us a total of 18 square meters (194 square feet) added to the ground floor and the upper floor combined.
The room labeled as "guest" in the plan would be redesigned as the kitchen. With the planned widening, the kitchen would have about 15 square meters (161 square feet), which should be enough to design it the way I envision it—as a separate room where you can also eat.
Consideration: a sliding door between the kitchen and the living room?
The TV wall would then naturally be moved to the opposite side. Accordingly, we would prefer to forgo the window there and instead place it in the kitchen.
S
schlumpi12325 May 2016 21:29If I were to widen the house, it would be to the left, keeping the kitchen where it is. Otherwise, I find the distance too long, and this way the living room also becomes a bit larger—31m2 (334 sq ft) isn’t really much. Upstairs, the extra space would benefit the children. Your bathroom is already big enough.
But now I'll share my personal opinion about this floor plan: quite standard—no offense intended!
Many solid construction companies offer similar or identical layouts. And it certainly works.
However, when I look at the price—which will increase with the widening and the basement—I would ask myself whether, for that amount of money, there isn’t something more tailored to me, my wishes, and my needs. With the extension, you have 170m2 (1,829 sq ft)! And there are definitely other options besides this particular floor plan. I would never be willing to spend so much on something like this. For the price your house will cost, you could also get a custom-made design.
But now I'll share my personal opinion about this floor plan: quite standard—no offense intended!
Many solid construction companies offer similar or identical layouts. And it certainly works.
However, when I look at the price—which will increase with the widening and the basement—I would ask myself whether, for that amount of money, there isn’t something more tailored to me, my wishes, and my needs. With the extension, you have 170m2 (1,829 sq ft)! And there are definitely other options besides this particular floor plan. I would never be willing to spend so much on something like this. For the price your house will cost, you could also get a custom-made design.
Thanks a lot.
We have now had a site inspection with the excavation contractor and have decided against the basement.
What would you suggest as an alternative approach to the floor plan? Yes, you can indeed find similar designs with comparable room layouts and similar specifications at roughly the same price from practically any building company. What would be your alternative?
A completely custom design? What would be the advantages of that? An architect actually advised us (people without much knowledge and limited daytime availability) against an architect-led planning process with separate trade contracts. He also mentioned that it’s somewhat of a misconception nowadays to think this is the more cost-effective route. I’m not sure, just passing that along.
For us, this floor plan is fine as it is. I’m a bit pragmatic and think you can find potential weaknesses in almost any floor plan. I know plenty of people living in single-family homes who say that after some time they realized certain aspects of their layout weren’t ideal. It’s quite possible that the same will happen with us and this plan. That’s why I find opinions here so interesting—so far, not a single stone has been laid...
So, what do you think—how can we implement such a floor plan more cost-effectively in real construction?
We have now had a site inspection with the excavation contractor and have decided against the basement.
What would you suggest as an alternative approach to the floor plan? Yes, you can indeed find similar designs with comparable room layouts and similar specifications at roughly the same price from practically any building company. What would be your alternative?
A completely custom design? What would be the advantages of that? An architect actually advised us (people without much knowledge and limited daytime availability) against an architect-led planning process with separate trade contracts. He also mentioned that it’s somewhat of a misconception nowadays to think this is the more cost-effective route. I’m not sure, just passing that along.
For us, this floor plan is fine as it is. I’m a bit pragmatic and think you can find potential weaknesses in almost any floor plan. I know plenty of people living in single-family homes who say that after some time they realized certain aspects of their layout weren’t ideal. It’s quite possible that the same will happen with us and this plan. That’s why I find opinions here so interesting—so far, not a single stone has been laid...
So, what do you think—how can we implement such a floor plan more cost-effectively in real construction?
S
schlumpi12325 May 2016 23:21I also don’t believe that a custom design with an architect has to be more expensive, but it can be. The house you have chosen is not cheap, and I am sure an architect could deliver something similar in price. The advantage is that they develop something with you that meets your wishes while also taking the plot of land into account, which is an important factor. We have built twice. Personal circumstances led to the sale of our first house. It was built by a well-known solid construction company. We lived there for 10 years. Simple and practical! For the second house, we gathered all our courage and approached an architect. He sent us away, telling us to find a plot first. The second time, we were better prepared. We had found a plot and had read one or two books about cost-effective construction and floor plan design—not just the glossy prefab house magazines from the supermarket shelf! We shared our wishes and budget, he went with us to the plot, and the process began. The first draft didn’t blow us away, but from it, we developed something great, and it was fun to be involved. You are completely free in your planning—well, the budget and the plot set the direction, but otherwise, it’s all you. Looking back at the two houses today, I wonder how we managed the first one. We wanted cost certainty and paid a high price for it! The same house at that time could have been designed by an architect for considerably less—assuming we had found one capable of delivering that quality! Many people hesitate to go to an architect because they think it is too expensive and they don’t really know the process—but architects themselves are partly to blame for this. Single-family homes are often financially less attractive for them; they can earn more with projects like schools or hospitals. But there are still many who do specialize in single-family homes. I don’t want to talk you out of your house or floor plan—our first house was very similar, and yes, you can live in it. If you feel that this is the right choice for you, then go for it. I just wanted to show that there is another way to build a house.
Hello everyone again... Thanks once more for all the opinions and suggestions – they really help us a lot.
I’m also a bit bothered by this gut feeling that we’ve been going back and forth with this floor plan for weeks, and it just doesn’t quite fit. However, we have also looked at floor plan options from other providers, and so far, we haven’t seen any that made us say: perfect! This is it!
Since the currently favored provider heavily promotes the fact that everything can be individually planned, we will soon have a meeting with the architect responsible for us here. We have prepared a long list of questions and ideas, and in the end, we just have to see what offer they present. I’m starting to fear that the base price in the catalog is within an expected range, neither extremely expensive nor very cheap, but maybe 10 redesigns would financially break the project. Perhaps we simply want more than the budget allows. And we don’t think we’re in a bad financial position. However, I don’t want to completely redesign a standard floor plan series – which was also the concern of the last post here, probably rightly so – and end up with a final price far higher than, for example, a somewhat larger house from another provider, with whom we also put together a package and that would include significantly more as standard than the currently favored provider… It’s all quite complicated.
Current considerations:
- We are combining the living room and guest room to create an open kitchen with enough space for a table and some living space. Widening is uncertain, but an additional 5 sqm (54 ft²) would definitely help.
- Our 15 sqm (161 ft²) bathroom upstairs seems pointless. It will ultimately be wasted space that we don’t need. I think a smaller bathroom can also be nicely arranged. The idea would be to split the large bathroom plus a possible widening into two bathrooms. That way, we would have two bathrooms upstairs. This would have the advantage that no one would have to run downstairs in the morning, and the space would simply be used more efficiently. If a shower bathroom with 4 sqm (43 ft²) or even less is feasible, something could definitely be arranged out of the 15 sqm (161 ft²), right?
- If this is finalized, we could install a small guest WC instead of the nearly 5 sqm (54 ft²) shower bathroom downstairs and save the remaining square meters for the utility room or possibly the hallway.
- Another idea: we convert the upstairs office into the bathroom. 11 sqm (118 ft²) should be enough, with the bathtub placed under the sloped roof. Then I would have a larger office, which could also function as a guest room.
I’m also a bit bothered by this gut feeling that we’ve been going back and forth with this floor plan for weeks, and it just doesn’t quite fit. However, we have also looked at floor plan options from other providers, and so far, we haven’t seen any that made us say: perfect! This is it!
Since the currently favored provider heavily promotes the fact that everything can be individually planned, we will soon have a meeting with the architect responsible for us here. We have prepared a long list of questions and ideas, and in the end, we just have to see what offer they present. I’m starting to fear that the base price in the catalog is within an expected range, neither extremely expensive nor very cheap, but maybe 10 redesigns would financially break the project. Perhaps we simply want more than the budget allows. And we don’t think we’re in a bad financial position. However, I don’t want to completely redesign a standard floor plan series – which was also the concern of the last post here, probably rightly so – and end up with a final price far higher than, for example, a somewhat larger house from another provider, with whom we also put together a package and that would include significantly more as standard than the currently favored provider… It’s all quite complicated.
Current considerations:
- We are combining the living room and guest room to create an open kitchen with enough space for a table and some living space. Widening is uncertain, but an additional 5 sqm (54 ft²) would definitely help.
- Our 15 sqm (161 ft²) bathroom upstairs seems pointless. It will ultimately be wasted space that we don’t need. I think a smaller bathroom can also be nicely arranged. The idea would be to split the large bathroom plus a possible widening into two bathrooms. That way, we would have two bathrooms upstairs. This would have the advantage that no one would have to run downstairs in the morning, and the space would simply be used more efficiently. If a shower bathroom with 4 sqm (43 ft²) or even less is feasible, something could definitely be arranged out of the 15 sqm (161 ft²), right?
- If this is finalized, we could install a small guest WC instead of the nearly 5 sqm (54 ft²) shower bathroom downstairs and save the remaining square meters for the utility room or possibly the hallway.
- Another idea: we convert the upstairs office into the bathroom. 11 sqm (118 ft²) should be enough, with the bathtub placed under the sloped roof. Then I would have a larger office, which could also function as a guest room.
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