Hello
We are planning to build a single-family home. We also want to contribute some self-performed work, but aim to assess this realistically rather than optimistically to avoid financing shortfalls and the frustration of having to borrow an extra 10,000 or 20,000 euros.
The plan is for a single-story bungalow in solid construction, designed by an architect, with 130 m² (1,400 sq ft) of living space and about 30–40 m² (320–430 sq ft) of unheated storage space (boiler room, laundry room, etc.). So, no basement.
Unfortunately, it’s not like 30 years ago when my parents built their house. Back then, neighbors and relatives still had a lot of free time, so sometimes there were seven masons working on site together.
Therefore, we plan to have the shell of the building erected by professionals, but we want to do other tasks ourselves and now want to estimate these efforts realistically.
As dedicated workers, we are 1 + 0.5 + 0.5 persons...
The 1 refers to my father, a recent retiree who can spend the whole day on site, and the 0.5 designations are my brother and me, as we have to work in the mornings. In addition, there are 1–2 of my father’s retired colleagues, but I do not want to count them as fixed labor. The same goes for my neighbor, who might help occasionally when available (office worker, unfortunately), since we have helped him before. Then there are the women (mother, sister, partner), but they mainly take care of catering and cleaning tasks.
Regarding the trades:
The shell must be built as mentioned, either masonry or glued construction—we cannot manage this alone.
Exterior and interior plastering also need to be contracted out, as well as screeding.
We would contract out roof truss construction and roofing, but plan to apply insulation boards ourselves.
We will do all electrical work ourselves since two trained electricians (my brother and father) are available. Plumbing and underfloor heating installation will also be done by us.
Using a mini excavator for excavating the foundation slab will only cost us fuel and a snack for the neighbor.
We will also do ceiling cladding ourselves, as well as wallpapering and tiling.
How can we realistically estimate the money saved by doing these tasks ourselves, compared to contracting out the trades? It’s not about saving time, since it’s clear that a small team of two or three will take longer than a professional crew. But since we are not bound by rent (living in my parents’ home), it’s okay if it takes a bit longer.
Thanks for your assessments.
We are planning to build a single-family home. We also want to contribute some self-performed work, but aim to assess this realistically rather than optimistically to avoid financing shortfalls and the frustration of having to borrow an extra 10,000 or 20,000 euros.
The plan is for a single-story bungalow in solid construction, designed by an architect, with 130 m² (1,400 sq ft) of living space and about 30–40 m² (320–430 sq ft) of unheated storage space (boiler room, laundry room, etc.). So, no basement.
Unfortunately, it’s not like 30 years ago when my parents built their house. Back then, neighbors and relatives still had a lot of free time, so sometimes there were seven masons working on site together.
Therefore, we plan to have the shell of the building erected by professionals, but we want to do other tasks ourselves and now want to estimate these efforts realistically.
As dedicated workers, we are 1 + 0.5 + 0.5 persons...
The 1 refers to my father, a recent retiree who can spend the whole day on site, and the 0.5 designations are my brother and me, as we have to work in the mornings. In addition, there are 1–2 of my father’s retired colleagues, but I do not want to count them as fixed labor. The same goes for my neighbor, who might help occasionally when available (office worker, unfortunately), since we have helped him before. Then there are the women (mother, sister, partner), but they mainly take care of catering and cleaning tasks.
Regarding the trades:
The shell must be built as mentioned, either masonry or glued construction—we cannot manage this alone.
Exterior and interior plastering also need to be contracted out, as well as screeding.
We would contract out roof truss construction and roofing, but plan to apply insulation boards ourselves.
We will do all electrical work ourselves since two trained electricians (my brother and father) are available. Plumbing and underfloor heating installation will also be done by us.
Using a mini excavator for excavating the foundation slab will only cost us fuel and a snack for the neighbor.
We will also do ceiling cladding ourselves, as well as wallpapering and tiling.
How can we realistically estimate the money saved by doing these tasks ourselves, compared to contracting out the trades? It’s not about saving time, since it’s clear that a small team of two or three will take longer than a professional crew. But since we are not bound by rent (living in my parents’ home), it’s okay if it takes a bit longer.
Thanks for your assessments.
Then have a house designed for you and calculate all the trades that you can cover yourselves. Add back the material cost to the savings, and you'll have your actual cost reduction.
However, I am always cautious when planning with many helpers... what if one gets sick or is otherwise unavailable?
However, I am always cautious when planning with many helpers... what if one gets sick or is otherwise unavailable?
Ah, okay. So there are "tactical" reasons for this, and it is considered normal and legitimate, and banks also support it. Good.
We have really only planned for three fixed people: my father, my brother, and myself.
My father works full-time, and we both work part-time, you could say. He can manage to do a bit more during the day than we can.
The idea from the previous poster is very good; I think it can help to get a rough direction.
The critical point was actually the statement from an energy consultant that, with our own existing plot of land measuring 800 m² (8,600 sq ft) and €120,000 cash equity, it would not be possible to finance a house with a monthly repayment of €850. That made me a bit skeptical because we do not want to build a villa, just a small, solid, and nice house. Originally, we had planned a higher repayment, but since there is currently a child on the way (and this will at least remain the only one with the current partner, as I do not want another partner), we have reduced it.
We have really only planned for three fixed people: my father, my brother, and myself.
My father works full-time, and we both work part-time, you could say. He can manage to do a bit more during the day than we can.
The idea from the previous poster is very good; I think it can help to get a rough direction.
The critical point was actually the statement from an energy consultant that, with our own existing plot of land measuring 800 m² (8,600 sq ft) and €120,000 cash equity, it would not be possible to finance a house with a monthly repayment of €850. That made me a bit skeptical because we do not want to build a villa, just a small, solid, and nice house. Originally, we had planned a higher repayment, but since there is currently a child on the way (and this will at least remain the only one with the current partner, as I do not want another partner), we have reduced it.
What is the standard land value according to the land value map? I assume you are building in a rural area?
They say 100 €/m² (about $110 per sq ft) + 120,000 euros, so that would be 200,000 euros in equity. On the other hand, there is your loan term, full repayment? Loan amount...800 euros can work but doesn’t have to.
They say 100 €/m² (about $110 per sq ft) + 120,000 euros, so that would be 200,000 euros in equity. On the other hand, there is your loan term, full repayment? Loan amount...800 euros can work but doesn’t have to.
You can still contact the appraisal committee and inquire about the standard land value; it might not be updated in Boris. For our area, it still shows €75 (about $80), but properties have sold for €120 (about $130)...
However, the bank can also do this later. Overall, many details are missing here—what budget are you planning, and what can you afford? Just browse around the forum a bit.
However, the bank can also do this later. Overall, many details are missing here—what budget are you planning, and what can you afford? Just browse around the forum a bit.
Start by visiting a bank (initially, it might be best to go to your primary bank) and discuss how much financing they would offer, what monthly payments would be required, the proposed fixed interest period, the remaining loan balance after the fixed interest period ends, and what would happen if you only start using the loan after the interest-free period expires, or if due to a longer construction period you can only draw the final loan installment after 2 years.
Then take your time to think about what you will get for the money, what is important to you, how long you want to make payments, and how much financial security you need. Also, consider whether you really want to be on site every day for months alongside your regular job, instead of watching your child grow up (and whether you can handle that mentally and physically – managing a construction site can be exhausting, and sleepless nights with a child on top make it even more demanding).
Then take your time to think about what you will get for the money, what is important to you, how long you want to make payments, and how much financial security you need. Also, consider whether you really want to be on site every day for months alongside your regular job, instead of watching your child grow up (and whether you can handle that mentally and physically – managing a construction site can be exhausting, and sleepless nights with a child on top make it even more demanding).