Good morning everyone,
I have inherited an older house and originally planned to renovate it. So far, I have been in contact with three architects. One suggested a new build, while the others recommended renovation. With the chosen architect, we went through the renovation planning.
Today, after half a year, I received the cost estimate, and I was almost shocked. The estimate is just under €900,000, including the landscaping and terrace planning.
The house is very old, there are not even proper plans (built around 1800), and it is only habitable on one level with about 90 m² (970 sq ft). The ground floor and attic should actually be converted into living space after the renovation. The roof is dilapidated and definitely needs to be completely replaced, as the ceilings are only about 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) high and are sloped. An extension must also be built onto the house because a rather narrow staircase inside ruins the entire layout. The electrical system is decades old, and there is no heating at all. The windows also need to be replaced.
Now, of course, I have started to reconsider, as I never expected such enormous costs. Paying off the house for a lifetime doesn’t make sense to me.
I am now looking into prefabricated houses again and the demolition of the existing building. Turnkey or ready-to-finish houses seem to be available from about €150,000, although that is probably the absolute basic construction. But even if I factor in a buffer (x2) and estimate the foundation slab plus demolition at €100,000, I am still much better off with a new build. Of course, I would have to forgo subsidies, but in this case, that is probably negligible. Besides, I can choose the type of house I want and have something brand new.
What do you think? Maybe someone has gone through something similar or can share their experience with a prefab house 🙂
Thank you very much
I have inherited an older house and originally planned to renovate it. So far, I have been in contact with three architects. One suggested a new build, while the others recommended renovation. With the chosen architect, we went through the renovation planning.
Today, after half a year, I received the cost estimate, and I was almost shocked. The estimate is just under €900,000, including the landscaping and terrace planning.
The house is very old, there are not even proper plans (built around 1800), and it is only habitable on one level with about 90 m² (970 sq ft). The ground floor and attic should actually be converted into living space after the renovation. The roof is dilapidated and definitely needs to be completely replaced, as the ceilings are only about 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) high and are sloped. An extension must also be built onto the house because a rather narrow staircase inside ruins the entire layout. The electrical system is decades old, and there is no heating at all. The windows also need to be replaced.
Now, of course, I have started to reconsider, as I never expected such enormous costs. Paying off the house for a lifetime doesn’t make sense to me.
I am now looking into prefabricated houses again and the demolition of the existing building. Turnkey or ready-to-finish houses seem to be available from about €150,000, although that is probably the absolute basic construction. But even if I factor in a buffer (x2) and estimate the foundation slab plus demolition at €100,000, I am still much better off with a new build. Of course, I would have to forgo subsidies, but in this case, that is probably negligible. Besides, I can choose the type of house I want and have something brand new.
What do you think? Maybe someone has gone through something similar or can share their experience with a prefab house 🙂
Thank you very much
A gutting plus an almost complete rebuild with an architect usually costs roughly 3,000€ plus the “architect’s fee.” Then there are the exterior works—are we talking just about the driveway, or the entire garden and landscaping costs for the whole property? We don’t know. The whole property is 2,000 m² (21,500 sq ft)… so you’re already looking at around 750,000€. Complex earthworks, disposal… some nicer features… the architect’s fee can justifiably reach 900,000€.
What they want to convey is: a house can cost 450,000€, but if you go all in, it can also be 600,000 to 700,000€ for 200 m² (2,150 sq ft).
What they want to convey is: a house can cost 450,000€, but if you go all in, it can also be 600,000 to 700,000€ for 200 m² (2,150 sq ft).