ᐅ Semi-detached house, upscale fittings: Are the additional costs accurate?

Created on: 6 Dec 2014 11:35
3
305er
Hello,

Yesterday, we met with an architect who showed us a plot of land for a semi-detached house. The other half is already built.
The house has 140 sqm (1507 sqft) of living space, although a large part of this already includes the basement, as it is usable living space (with a window).

The house will be finished to a high standard (I will copy the real estate listing at the end here).

The architect will act as the general contractor and work with local craftsmen.
For additional work such as extra electrical outlets, different bathroom fixtures, etc., I will need to contact his respective craftsmen, who will then provide me with the costs.

Now to the main questions:

The house comes only with a gas heating system and radiators in the rooms.
He said if I want underfloor heating, it will be operated by an air-source heat pump.
The extra cost for this system plus underfloor heating is about €15,000 (about $16,200).
This sounded reasonable to me as I didn’t have any idea before. On this forum, some people were shocked when someone had to pay €8,000 (about $8,600) more.
What do you think about my price?
Also, he kept saying that this air-source heat pump is a form of solar technology, because it extracts heat from the air.

Furthermore:
There are additional costs of about €18,000 (about $19,400) for earthworks, sewer connections, and utility connections.
Is this reasonable?
He said this includes excavation and laying the connections from the street to the house (electricity, water, etc.).

Another extra:
We could install a heat recovery ventilation system with air filters for about €15,000 (about $16,200), similar to what you find in passive prefab houses.
He estimates this could improve the energy efficiency rating from KfW 70 (the usual) to 55.
Is it worth the extra cost, also considering the health benefits?
I am allergic to pollen and suffer from extreme eye itching/burning, throat itching, etc.

These were my main questions so far.

Additional points:
I forgot to ask about the cost for electric shutters. What would you estimate?
And approximately how much would a garage cost?

Is a bedroom with a walk-in closet sized at 15 sqm (160 sqft) big enough? It seems a bit small to me.

Finally:
The plot is on a slight slope. This means roughly half of the basement is below ground level, or put differently, from the terrace there are a few steps down to the garden.
On the left side is the other semi-detached house, on the right side there is a stream, and behind the garden, directly adjacent without any gap, the forest slope goes up.
There is occasional wildlife visiting (according to the neighbor: mice, two rats, a marten’s nest somewhere nearby, a young deer, wild boar).
How would you assess this kind of plot? We are basically city people.

That’s all from me for now. Thanks for your help.

Here is the listing:

+++ NO COMMISSION +++ “BAUHAUS STYLE” IDYLL BY A STREAM – with Basement

Purchase Price:
289,820.00 EUR

Rooms:
5.0

Living Area Approx.:
140.91 sqm (1,517 sqft)

Plot Size Approx.:
420.00 sqm (4,500 sqft)

Main Features
House type:
Semi-detached house
Usable area approx.:
16 sqm (172 sqft)
Number of floors:
3
Bedrooms:
4
Bathrooms:
1
Guest toilet:
Basement:
TV / Internet / Telephone:
Electricity consumption: from 2,500 kWh*

Costs
Purchase price:
289,820.00 EUR
Buyer’s commission:
None

Building Quality
Construction phase:
House in planning (designed)
Standard of finishes:
High-quality
Heating type:
Central heating
Energy certificate:
Not yet available

Property Description
Idyllically situated by a stream, secluded at the edge of the forest, a planned, attractive detached family home with a basement will be built here, turnkey and solidly constructed. This spacious and modern energy-efficient house can be customized with the architect to meet your personal needs, including changes to the floor plan and finishes for your “dream home.” - the open living/dining area is spacious and bright with lots of glazing overlooking the garden and terrace - room layout changes possible - master bedroom with walk-in closet and two children’s rooms - daylight-filled comfort bathroom - generous living/work room in the garden-level basement

Features
“Masterful craftsmanship by local specialized tradesmen” - finished basement - energy-saving, breathable natural brickwork with additional external insulation for energy-conscious comfort - heating system with efficient gas condensing technology, optionally with solar collectors and underfloor heating - family-friendly daylight bathroom with tub and shower - ceramic sanitary fixtures by “Villeroy & Boch” - bathroom and guest toilet tiled in granite - smoke detectors in all bedrooms - partially glass interior doors with decorative balcony railings on the upper floor - interior window sills in “Carrara Bianco” marble - solid wood veneer interior doors with stainless steel handles - electrical switches by “Gira” “Everything is possible, nothing is mandatory... let your wishes run free.”

Additional
Availability: approx. 16 weeks construction time after start
Floor plans and elevations may include optional features at extra cost.
Turnkey means in this offer:
- including plot
- including finished basement without plot-related costs such as earthworks, sewer and utility connections
Floor coverings and painting/wallpapering work done by buyer

Modern two-story white villa with flat roof, balconies, garden with shrubs and stairs on the right.

Modern white house front with entrance, walkway and trees; people walking toward entrance.

Floor plan of a house: balcony, living/dining area, kitchen, hallway, WC, garden
N
nordanney
19 Dec 2014 09:15
305er schrieb:

Also, I just mentioned that I didn’t need more before either and still had a TV, computer, etc., so I don’t see why you would definitely need more, at least in a child’s bedroom!

You don’t necessarily NEED them. It also works fine with multiple 5-way extension cords. But that’s not ideal, and if you’re building from scratch, it makes sense to do it properly. Our children have at least double sockets in every corner of the room (except behind the door), plus additional ones near the entrance. On top of that, there are connections for satellite/cable as well as network outlets for phone/internet. That adds a significant extra cost, but it’s definitely worth it.
B
Bauexperte
19 Dec 2014 10:14
Hello,
305er schrieb:

Sorry, but I’m neither a son nor a daughter by profession, and I don’t receive any subsidies or anything like that from anyone!
If you think that most users here are in a different situation, you’re mistaken. However, I do believe that some users have gained very valuable information through the forum; perhaps even to the point of deciding not to build after all.
305er schrieb:

Since I have to work hard for my money, I also have to watch the costs! And I simply can’t afford more, any problem with that?!
No, why should there be? The real question is: why build a new house if it can only be done with many compromises? There is no shame in being a tenant…?
305er schrieb:

I also only mentioned that I didn’t need more before and still had a TV, computer, etc., so I don’t see why more would be necessary, at least in a child’s bedroom!
In recent years, children’s bedrooms have seen very different “gadgets” compared to your childhood, and certainly compared to mine. Three power outlets won’t suffice, and simply adding multi-plug adapters with three or five sockets is not really ideal; retrofitting additional outlets is not always easy either.

Best regards, Bauexperte
T
Tichu78
20 Dec 2014 00:14
305er schrieb:
How do you come to the conclusion that I am not open to arguments???

You ask questions, I try to answer them as much as possible, which is why I also attached the scope of work document, since all those questions are answered there!

Furthermore, I have observed the forum several times, and strangely enough, nothing ever seems serious here. According to this forum, no one could afford a house here!
But all of you have houses yourselves, even though surely someone told you, “better not, you won’t manage it!”

And what if we are right and you end up looking foolish?

For example, the heating system—why aren’t the manufacturer and model listed in the scope of work? I want to know what I am getting for my hard-earned money. In my opinion, transparency is missing here.
What about the floor coverings? Floor installation work is not part of the contract.
Is KfW 55 standard guaranteed? Is it stated in the contract? Who provides the certification?
Also, look closely at the payment schedule… advance payment? Have you checked the financial stability (creditworthiness) of the provider?
What will you do if the company goes bankrupt? Are you protected? Who will manage the construction supervision and final inspection? A neutral expert? So many questions…

All the advice you are getting here is just a small fraction of what might be missing or unknown to you.
305er20 Dec 2014 12:18
KFW55 would not apply in this case.
With the underfloor heating, we would actually achieve KFW70. Good question who officially approves or guarantees this.
He said payment is always made in installments after the work is completed and verified to be flawless.
You can’t really check the provider; there’s hardly any information except that he is registered somewhere with a tax number or similar.
I’m not protected if someone goes bankrupt—can this even be insured? The contract mentions something about construction liability insurance and such, which I am required to take out.
The site management and final inspection are carried out by the architect (general contractor). I have mentioned this before.

I’m aware that extension sockets don’t look good, but they are somehow doable and, under or behind a desk, they aren’t visible anyway.
And why isn’t an extension simply possible? Chisel a slot, branch off the cable, install a new socket, plaster over, done.

Being a tenant is of course no disgrace, but it is wasted money and not my dream either.
Y
ypg
21 Dec 2014 01:44
Maybe you should try to contact the buyer of the already built half of the house and specifically ask them about the additional costs and the quality.

Regards, Yvonne
305er21 Dec 2014 13:09
We already have the names, but unfortunately no phone numbers or any other contact information. They can’t be found on Facebook either, since "Schuhmacher" is a very common name.