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.
S
saralina8714 May 2020 16:57haydee schrieb:
I know many people, myself included, who did not want children at that age. If it’s not children, then illness (hopefully not) or unemployment can still happen.By that logic, absolutely no one should take the risk of building. Something can always happen.
My husband and I are the ultra-super-plus version of security—both are civil servants—yet there are still situations in which it could fail.
Selling a house quickly is possible nowadays; a significant loss is unlikely (at least in many regions of Germany).
HilfeHilfe schrieb:
Yes, that’s how those who start threads are – never children. I am a woman. Have you ever considered that it might also be due to a lack of skill?
Regarding questions and personal work: My questions mostly related to the overall planning, not about how to carry out a specific craft task with which material and tool. I was a child when my parents planned their project. But not when re-roofing the house, building the carport, and so on.
I will now step away from this. I wanted to share experiences and exchange opinions, which I have. But I no longer want to put up with this kind of harsh criticism and where things are headed.
M
Matthew0314 May 2020 17:56Cary2020 schrieb:
I am a lady. Have you ever considered that it might simply be a matter of lacking the necessary skills? You don’t have to justify yourself here, especially not to HilfeHilfe (whose name is quite the irony).
Cary2020 schrieb:
I’m going to bow out now. I find that rather rude, because you’re not answering my specific questions, leaving other readers without clarity on how this is developing. Have you done your research? What information have you gathered? What topics keep coming up repeatedly in the discussion about solid construction versus prefabricated houses?
You want to make the biggest investment of your life, you took a helpful step by registering here, yet at the first sign of resistance, you want to leave? That’s a shame.
In your last post, you even imply that you might still do the roof yourself in a self-build situation? Do you really think 10 out of 10 prefab house suppliers would allow that? I doubt it—I know at least one local company where practically no self-build work is permitted.
At least take this as something to think about before you go...
saralina87 schrieb:
According to that logic, absolutely no one should take the risk of building. Anything can happen at any time.
My husband and I represent the highest possible level of security, both civil servants, and still – there are definitely situations where it could fail.
Houses currently sell quickly, and significant losses are unlikely (at least in many regions of Germany). No, not just barely covered, so that a slight breeze would deflate it. Just a few months of short-time work benefits and it’s over.
We built and financed our house so that we can get by on one salary.
Here, selling a house at a significant loss is possible, and probably similar in the OP’s region. At least with the extremely low land prices.
Where is the plot located? We only have "€3800" (my wife is on parental leave) and are approaching this topic in a relaxed way, planning to build only "121m2" (1300 sq ft). Since we want to stay with just three people, that's sufficient. Buy the plot and then accumulate more equity so that at least you can take possession of the house after construction.