Hi everyone,
we were in the middle of applying for a plot of land for a new build and had already accepted the cost of about 520,000€ (around $560,000), until last weekend when we viewed a used house in Bergisch Gladbach.
Now we’re wondering if it makes more sense to buy the used house and skip the new build, especially since it’s not even certain that we will get a plot (allocation by lottery).
We were planning a detached house, two full floors, a city villa of about 190 sqm (2,045 sq ft). Gas condensing boiler, controlled mechanical ventilation, underfloor heating — basically the current standard. This would cost around 520,000€ (about $560,000), which would financially commit us for about 35 to 40 years.
The used house is a semi-detached, built in 1970. It has a full basement, two full floors, and a fully converted attic with 4 dormers. The windows were completely replaced in 2000, and the roof fully insulated. The facade was repainted about 10 years ago. The house currently has an oil heating system, but gas is already installed in the heating cellar, so switching to a gas condensing boiler is possible. The exterior walls are 24 cm (9.5 inches) thick masonry without added insulation. Overall, the house is very well maintained, but the interior needs renovation:
- all floors (parquet and tiles)
- all radiators
- gas condensing boiler
- 1 guest toilet, 2 bathrooms (one with bathtub and shower, the other with just a bathtub)
- interior walls painted white throughout; some wood paneling would need repainting and the wooden doors painted white as well.
The house is asking 335,000€ (about $360,000), with a 612 sqm (6,585 sq ft) plot, a garage with sectional door, and an extension. The garden is very well kept, as is the terrace. It’s located in a cul-de-sac, 50 m (160 ft) from the forest, 700 m (0.4 miles) from a kindergarten, and 1 km (0.6 miles) from the S-Bahn station for commuting.
How much would you estimate the cost of the above renovation and upgrades to be?
Is adding insulation combined with controlled ventilation economically worthwhile? How expensive would something like that be?
Finally, would you recommend purchasing the used house given the significant savings, or would you advise against it?
we were in the middle of applying for a plot of land for a new build and had already accepted the cost of about 520,000€ (around $560,000), until last weekend when we viewed a used house in Bergisch Gladbach.
Now we’re wondering if it makes more sense to buy the used house and skip the new build, especially since it’s not even certain that we will get a plot (allocation by lottery).
We were planning a detached house, two full floors, a city villa of about 190 sqm (2,045 sq ft). Gas condensing boiler, controlled mechanical ventilation, underfloor heating — basically the current standard. This would cost around 520,000€ (about $560,000), which would financially commit us for about 35 to 40 years.
The used house is a semi-detached, built in 1970. It has a full basement, two full floors, and a fully converted attic with 4 dormers. The windows were completely replaced in 2000, and the roof fully insulated. The facade was repainted about 10 years ago. The house currently has an oil heating system, but gas is already installed in the heating cellar, so switching to a gas condensing boiler is possible. The exterior walls are 24 cm (9.5 inches) thick masonry without added insulation. Overall, the house is very well maintained, but the interior needs renovation:
- all floors (parquet and tiles)
- all radiators
- gas condensing boiler
- 1 guest toilet, 2 bathrooms (one with bathtub and shower, the other with just a bathtub)
- interior walls painted white throughout; some wood paneling would need repainting and the wooden doors painted white as well.
The house is asking 335,000€ (about $360,000), with a 612 sqm (6,585 sq ft) plot, a garage with sectional door, and an extension. The garden is very well kept, as is the terrace. It’s located in a cul-de-sac, 50 m (160 ft) from the forest, 700 m (0.4 miles) from a kindergarten, and 1 km (0.6 miles) from the S-Bahn station for commuting.
How much would you estimate the cost of the above renovation and upgrades to be?
Is adding insulation combined with controlled ventilation economically worthwhile? How expensive would something like that be?
Finally, would you recommend purchasing the used house given the significant savings, or would you advise against it?
Jonas123 schrieb:
In my personal opinion, renovating a used house is always quite risky because too many unexpected issues can arise, such as hidden damages that might have been concealed during the purchase or sale...But if you save around €100,000 compared to building a new house, it can shorten the mortgage term by 10 years.
1. Viewing: check if it suits you.
2. Viewing: with a building inspector.
3. Viewing: with someone familiar with renovation costs.
My colleague unfortunately had to replace all the electrical wiring (this was not planned).
Additionally, he did not want to replace the panoramic windows ("What I save, I might as well burn").
After this winter, he will have the windows replaced.
2. Viewing: with a building inspector.
3. Viewing: with someone familiar with renovation costs.
My colleague unfortunately had to replace all the electrical wiring (this was not planned).
Additionally, he did not want to replace the panoramic windows ("What I save, I might as well burn").
After this winter, he will have the windows replaced.
We swapped the second and third viewings. A friend who is a tradesman joined us; there is still the entire plumbing installation and the renovation of the balcony to be done. Additionally, the house has settlement cracks.
With that, the matter is off the table for us. The savings compared to building new would be just under €80,000, with a larger garden and proximity to the forest, but the house itself is 44 years old.
With that, the matter is off the table for us. The savings compared to building new would be just under €80,000, with a larger garden and proximity to the forest, but the house itself is 44 years old.
W
Wegener SV2 Jul 2013 12:32sw1008 schrieb:
Of course I know what the KfW standards are and what evidence is required. Controlled ventilation makes sense together with insulation so that the building doesn’t behave like a thermos, including mold issues caused by insufficient active window ventilation.
For me, the question is whether it makes sense to install insulation and decentralized controlled ventilation now during the renovation or if it can wait. I need to review the energy consumption figures from recent years.Regarding the inspection with a specialist, everything has basically been said, and I can only confirm that. Concerning the insulation topic, please don’t believe everything some experts say on TV (especially those who always appear when insulation is discussed).
Assuming the insulation is properly planned and installed, you will not have mold problems. The wall will not cool down as much and will therefore not become so cold inside that moisture condenses on the surface. Insulating the exterior walls prevents mold growth because mold needs moisture.
Frankly, the current situation is much more problematic: the house has new windows but uninsulated walls. This means the walls are less insulated than the windows. To avoid mold, it should be the other way around so that any condensation occurs on the window rather than on the wall. Walls have many organic materials such as wallpaper, adhesives, fillers in plaster, and possibly house dust. Mold needs moisture and nutrients (organic materials) to grow.
However, if you apply a typical External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS/EIFS) with a very thin plaster layer, your house will be more prone to unsightly algae growth. The thin plaster cools down quickly and retains enough moisture to encourage algae growth. Thicker plaster layers improve this situation.
Everything I have tried to explain to you is actually well known and can be easily demonstrated by a simple test. Go to your refrigerator and take out a bottle of beer. Place a second bottle at room temperature next to it. What happens? The cold bottle gets wet. The same thing happens with your wall.
Since we live in Germany, mold formation is regulated by standards, specifically DIN 4108 for thermal protection in building construction. Conditions:
Outside temperature: -5°C (23°F)
Inside temperature: +20°C (68°F)
Indoor humidity: 50%
Wall surface temperature: 12.6°C (54.7°F)
Under these conditions, mold develops.
Therefore, my recommendation is: insulate immediately!
N
nordanney12 Oct 2020 19:39Bauretter99 schrieb:
Definitely new construction. Modern standards. Realize your own wishes. Older buildings have numerous hidden defects and issues, you can’t do things as you want, and in the end, the wife is unhappy. Divorce and the husband ends up bankrupt.You’re seven years late with your advicenordanney schrieb:
You are seven years late with your advice And his generalization is wrong as well.Similar topics