ᐅ Prefabricated House or Traditional Solid Construction Companies – Budget
Created on: 13 May 2020 12:56
C
Cary2020
Hello everyone. As you can see, I am new here and looking for advice. We are 25 and 27 years old, both employed, and our monthly net income is 3100 € (approximately $3,400). We have no equity saved up (we are already aware of the risks). Now, by coincidence, we have found a plot of land. It’s the only one in the area that meets our expectations (small, no more than 500 m² (6000 sq ft)). It was more or less a “random find.” Although we had agreed that we wanted to build a house someday, we hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. We want to build at the edge of the Harz mountains, in Lower Saxony. That’s the basic info.
Over the past few days, we have spent a lot of time researching the topic but have not reached any concrete conclusions yet. We have had initial phone appointments with banks; even without equity, it’s not impossible, and some very reputable, well-known banks were involved. We have further appointments with first companies and additional banks planned for next week. However, I would also like to connect with “regular” homeowners to get realistic assessments because we probably belong to this group ourselves.
Does anyone have experience with building a house at our income level? Is it feasible not only on paper but also in reality?
Then the big question arises: do we want a traditional solid house (brick and mortar) or a prefab house? Twenty years ago, when my parents built their home, prefab houses had a bad reputation. Nowadays, that seems to have improved significantly. Basically, we are still undecided. We see major advantages with prefab houses in the absence of moisture problems, clearly the price (is that really the case?), and according to experience reports, there is less shoddy workmanship. I’m hoping to learn from your experiences here.
The last point, of course, will be contacting companies. I am a bit hesitant about regional developers and would prefer to get in touch with larger firms like Viebrockhaus (probably quite expensive), Massa Haus, Arge, etc. Here too, I hope to have an initial exchange with you.
As you can see, we are just starting out and would like to bring some orientation to our confusion of thoughts. Thanks in advance for your help.
Over the past few days, we have spent a lot of time researching the topic but have not reached any concrete conclusions yet. We have had initial phone appointments with banks; even without equity, it’s not impossible, and some very reputable, well-known banks were involved. We have further appointments with first companies and additional banks planned for next week. However, I would also like to connect with “regular” homeowners to get realistic assessments because we probably belong to this group ourselves.
Does anyone have experience with building a house at our income level? Is it feasible not only on paper but also in reality?
Then the big question arises: do we want a traditional solid house (brick and mortar) or a prefab house? Twenty years ago, when my parents built their home, prefab houses had a bad reputation. Nowadays, that seems to have improved significantly. Basically, we are still undecided. We see major advantages with prefab houses in the absence of moisture problems, clearly the price (is that really the case?), and according to experience reports, there is less shoddy workmanship. I’m hoping to learn from your experiences here.
The last point, of course, will be contacting companies. I am a bit hesitant about regional developers and would prefer to get in touch with larger firms like Viebrockhaus (probably quite expensive), Massa Haus, Arge, etc. Here too, I hope to have an initial exchange with you.
As you can see, we are just starting out and would like to bring some orientation to our confusion of thoughts. Thanks in advance for your help.
Not everyone makes big money with a university degree.
Commuting costs money.
Moving and earning money initially cost a lot, and the income must be significantly higher to make it worthwhile. Living expenses such as rent, groceries, and services are much more expensive in cities.
Commuting costs money.
Moving and earning money initially cost a lot, and the income must be significantly higher to make it worthwhile. Living expenses such as rent, groceries, and services are much more expensive in cities.
Fummelbrett! schrieb:
Cary, I think it would be great and really interesting if you shared your house building experience here – despite the likely criticism. It’s also a good example that with DIY effort and hands-on work, it is achievable. I can fully agree with that. Don’t let yourself be discouraged here, @Cary2020. Just keep going, keep asking questions, and most importantly, help answer questions as well.
Regarding your plot of land:
Cary2020 schrieb:
The plot costs €16,000 developed. That was actually our idea too, but the city requires that construction must begin within one year of purchase. If the plot is really good, just go ahead and buy it. Do you need to decide quickly? Are there other interested parties or any other reasons that require an immediate decision?
Don’t let the deadline discourage you.
I’m sure it’s possible to extend the one-year deadline if you can convincingly explain to the city that you are negotiating with (local) contractors, have already submitted the building permit/planning application, or can show other relevant activities. Generally, the start of construction means that the groundwork has begun. The purpose of the deadline is to prevent plots from being bought and left undeveloped, which does not apply to you.
Tolentino schrieb:
There’s a saying, I’m not sure who originally said it (Ustinov?)
“When you are old and look back on your life and have regrets about decisions, make sure it’s about something you did, not something you didn’t do.” Or something like that. Yeah, that sounds like something Ustinov might say. He could have expressed it pretty much exactly like that in a somewhat mixed-up way (mixed-up because, as a multilingual person, he combined German, Russian, and other grammar influences in his thinking).
Cary2020 schrieb:
I rule out existing properties for two reasons. First, we have been researching potential ownership for a while now (about 2 years). Around here, there’s nothing that wouldn’t need a complete renovation except for the exterior walls. You have to actively buy an existing property and not judge the market by what is just thrown out there. But this probably needs more explanation—I should work on that. It seems I should create a special version of my Barthel tips specifically for existing buildings. Thanks for the idea
Fummelbrett! schrieb:
It’s just that house-building dreamers keep showing up here in the forum, thinking that if they just calculate everything nicely, it will work out. The dreamers are, of course, not the only reason I usually avoid the financing threads here—the other reason is my impression that in this section the verbal blows fly especially hard; compared to that, my usually well-meant insults about architects seem like a gentle breeze.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Tassimat schrieb:
Don’t let the deadline discourage you.
I’m sure it’s possible to extend the one-year deadline if you can convincingly explain to the local authorities that you are in negotiations with (local) contractors, have already submitted the building permit / planning permission application, or can demonstrate other relevant activities. Generally, the start of construction means that groundwork has begun. I only partially agree with that.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
A
Alessandro15 May 2020 14:26ivenh0 schrieb:
@Cary2020 You have a degree and dream of building a new house, but your salary isn't enough. Wouldn't it make sense to look for a better-paying job? With 1-2 years of work experience after graduation, a salary of around 50,000 per year should be achievable. That would give you at least 500€ (about $540) more net per month, and things would look better. And no, you don't need 500€ just for commuting. If your time is more valuable to you, that’s totally legitimate, but then you’ll just have to give up on building.
What I also don’t understand is why you studied if you’re not working in a related job. During your studies, you could have been earning good money and saving something.That doesn’t matter at all. It is what it is!
Nowadays, you can really study anything, which doesn’t mean that there are jobs in the area that match your field.
Alessandro schrieb:
Nowadays, you can really study just about anything, though that doesn’t mean the related jobs are currently in demand in the area. Walking science – promenadeology, for example.
Although that might even be in demand in the Harz region?