My girlfriend and I want to start building within the next 1-4 years. We already have a clear idea of our house. We know exactly that we want to build in the town where we already live. However, I think our house might not fit on the plots in the new development area. The largest plots are 680 square meters (7309 square feet) and have a maximum ridge height of 9.5 meters (31 feet). I also don’t want the house to feel cramped on the lot. So I was wondering if it would make more sense to first discuss our wishes with an architect, who could then look for a suitable plot where the house would actually fit. Or am I completely on the wrong track, and is this approach very unusual?
Here are our ideas for the house. I just added one thing from another discussion here on the forum. My girlfriend is really into steel trims for window decoration. Can an architect work with a requirement like that?
Plot/House General
Entrance Area (Vestibule/Foyer)
Dining/Living Room
Kitchen
Master Suite
Children’s Rooms
Fitness Room
Office
Guest WC
Terrace
Heating/Utility Room
Special Requests
Here are our ideas for the house. I just added one thing from another discussion here on the forum. My girlfriend is really into steel trims for window decoration. Can an architect work with a requirement like that?
Plot/House General
- Number of floors does not matter – maximum 4 if the attic is developed
- Attic, if not developed, used as storage
- Basement, if included, with windows
- No sloped ceilings in any rooms except for a developed attic or on the 4th floor
- Roof shape does not matter, just no flat roof
- Brick facade
- Terrace not too close to neighboring plot, minimum 5 meters (16 feet) distance
- Large double garage
- 2 outdoor parking spaces for cars
Entrance Area (Vestibule/Foyer)
- Entrance area with wardrobe
- Stairs not in the entrance area but in the hallway leading to the living area
- Access to the garage from the entrance area
Dining/Living Room
- Only dining and living room open plan – kitchen in a separate room
- Dining table for minimum 10 people; chairs or corner bench possible
- Living room space for 2 large functional sofas (3-seat) and side tables
- Fireplace visible from the sofas
- Large media wall with TV
Kitchen
- Lots of storage – small dining table for 4 people
- Doors to the hallway and dining area
Master Suite
- Bedroom
- Walk-in closet
- Bathroom with tub, large shower, double sink
- Separate toilet
Children’s Rooms
- 2 rooms at least 16 square meters (172 square feet) each
- Separate bathroom for children with tub and shower
Fitness Room
- At least 30 square meters (323 square feet)
Office
- At least 14 square meters (150 square feet)
Guest WC
- Without shower or tub
Terrace
- Partially covered (without glass)
- Dining table for 10 people
- Outdoor kitchen (grill/sink/fridge/work surface)
- Terrace large enough to also fit 6 beer garden-style benches with backrests
- Terrace must be open on only 2 sides
- Transparent protective roller shutters on the terrace
- Terrace accessible from the living/dining area and level with no steps
Heating/Utility Room
- Large, also suitable for washing and drying clothes – possibly a separate room for washing and drying on the sleeping level
Special Requests
- Large separate room for bicycles/trash bins/car tires/lawnmower/garden tools etc.
- Storage closet on each floor
- Central vacuum system
- Fireplace in the living room connected to the heating system
- Central ventilation/alarm system/underfloor heating/shutters/lights – electronically controlled via units in ground floor hallway and master bedroom
- Steel trims embedded in plaster in the window lintels, wallpapered over. Window decorations freely positionable on magnetic hooks
- Lots of indirect lighting
- Visible beams (rustic modern), can also be fake
- Alarm system securing lower windows and doors
- Laundry chute (omit if there is a separate laundry room on the sleeping level)
- Solar system
- Attic, if present, accessible via regular stairs
- Accessible for disabled – doors and corridors wide enough – enough space for stairlift
- Many electrical outlets
- LAN cables in office and children’s rooms
- Finished ceiling height slightly higher because of visible (fake) beams or suspended ceilings (indirect lighting)
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Bieber081510 Jan 2018 08:15The location is crucial. The plot of land is fixed and, in my opinion, has a much greater impact on future life than the house itself ever could. Therefore, I would always first find and choose the plot, and then have the house designed to fit it.
(Of course, it must fundamentally be suitable, meaning appropriate for single-family housing if a single-family home is desired.)
(Of course, it must fundamentally be suitable, meaning appropriate for single-family housing if a single-family home is desired.)
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Bieber081510 Jan 2018 08:18Spritti123 schrieb:
Half of the equity was saved up personally I have to say, I’m honestly impressed and curious about how that was achieved... (although you didn’t mention your age). All the more surprising to me that such a large house is planned. Wouldn’t a more modest home, built without any bank financing, better fit this level of frugality?
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Spritti12310 Jan 2018 08:39I am 29 and frugal. But I have to mention that I have always lived rent-free and only pay the utilities. Of course, if you need a new car every three years, go on vacation two or three times a year, party every weekend, smoke, or spend money on who knows what, it’s no surprise you don’t have any savings. I know many people who earn well but I’m shocked at how little they have saved. I don’t live badly. I go on vacation once a year. I bought a nearly new car and have been driving it for six years now. I also go out to eat occasionally, and when I was younger, I did let loose from time to time. My current apartment is well furnished, not cheap stuff. Kitchen cost 10,000€ (about 11,000 USD), sofa 4,000€ (about 4,400 USD), living room unit 3,000€ (about 3,300 USD). Half of the equity comes from my girlfriend. It’s possible she brings 300,000€ (about 330,000 USD) or 500,000€ (about 550,000 USD) in equity, everything is still open. And no, no one had to die for that.
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Spritti12310 Jan 2018 08:50Bieber0815 schrieb:
Wouldn’t a "regular" house, completely without any financing, be better suited to this frugality?I was so economical so that I could afford my dream house. I have to spend the money on something after all. I can’t take it with me to the grave.
Spritti123 schrieb:
I’m 29 and frugal. But I should mention that I’ve always lived rent-free and only paid the utility bills. Of course, if you need a new car every three years, go on vacation two or three times a year, party every weekend, smoke, or spend your money however else, you can’t be surprised if you don’t have a dime saved. I know many people who earn well but shock me with how little they’ve saved. I’m not living poorly. I go on vacation once a year. I bought a nearly new car and have been driving it for six years now. I also go out to eat occasionally, and when I was younger, I did have my wild times now and then. My current apartment is well-equipped, not cheap stuff. Kitchen 10,000€ (about $11,000), sofa 4,000€ (about $4,400), entertainment center 3,000€ (about $3,300). Half of the down payment comes from my girlfriend. It could be that she’s bringing 300,000€ (about $330,000) or 500,000€ (about $550,000) in equity, it’s all open. And no, nobody had to die for that.@Biber0815 asked whether a modest-sized house with some features wouldn’t better fit the lifestyle.
I’d be interested in that too.
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Spritti12310 Jan 2018 08:53Why should my lifestyle change just because I saved money in my younger years? It has always been important to me to first save up for my dream home. After that, I can consider buying an expensive car or something similar. But always in a healthy relationship to my income. Sometimes, when I see how long people have to save for a certain amount and then spend it all on a car, I can only shake my head.