ᐅ Single-Family Home New Construction – How Do We Make a Decision Now?
Created on: 16 Feb 2023 21:50
K
Karlsson
At the end of last year, we were lucky to be offered a very nice plot of land. It was a returned lot from the latest new development area. The previous owners missed the deadline to build within the three-year period. Everyone else ahead of us on the waiting list no longer wanted the plot, so we simply took the opportunity. Over the past few weeks, we have visited various show homes and factory tours of prefabricated house manufacturers to gather information, and we are now a bit overwhelmed trying to figure out the best way to make a decision. I can’t just sign a purchase contract somewhere and see what kind of house ends up being built and how much it will cost. And I can’t commission designs from several manufacturers costing several thousand euros just to compare the final prices. But I still need to somehow plan the right house for us on this exact piece of land. How did you approach your decision-making process?
We would like to build in an ecological and sustainable way, and I was shocked by the anticipated prices we have encountered so far. Frammelsberger Wooden House and Stommel House estimate around 3500 EUR per square meter (square foot), excluding the foundation slab and garage, but at least for the EH40 standard. We also visited the architect who designed our neighbors’ home, and he quoted the same amount, but including the foundation slab and carport, although only for EH55. With an architect-designed house, I definitely need to budget a considerable extra margin. I don’t even want to think about the NH class. Have prefabricated houses or timber frame constructions really become that expensive? Who is supposed to be able to afford that?
We would like to build in an ecological and sustainable way, and I was shocked by the anticipated prices we have encountered so far. Frammelsberger Wooden House and Stommel House estimate around 3500 EUR per square meter (square foot), excluding the foundation slab and garage, but at least for the EH40 standard. We also visited the architect who designed our neighbors’ home, and he quoted the same amount, but including the foundation slab and carport, although only for EH55. With an architect-designed house, I definitely need to budget a considerable extra margin. I don’t even want to think about the NH class. Have prefabricated houses or timber frame constructions really become that expensive? Who is supposed to be able to afford that?
That sounds tight but might still be doable if the plot is flat, has good soil bearing capacity, utility connections are easy and short, and you stay very consistent during the selections process. Costs increase with items like hardwood floors, premium wood staircases, custom-colored windows, large-format tiles, lift-and-slide doors for the terrace, or landscaping – the list can obviously go on endlessly.
Yes, the main point I was making is that building to today’s energy efficiency standards is sufficiently good. If the budget is that tight, it wouldn’t make much sense to spend even more money on energy-saving measures.
Karlsson schrieb:
In any case, a complete renovation was always necessary, and the budget wouldn’t have been enough to properly upgrade the energy efficiency of such a house.
Yes, the main point I was making is that building to today’s energy efficiency standards is sufficiently good. If the budget is that tight, it wouldn’t make much sense to spend even more money on energy-saving measures.
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xMisterDx16 Feb 2023 23:01If 350k is the absolute limit, then forget it. It’s simply not feasible, not even at a discount retailer.
xMisterDx schrieb:
If 350K is the absolute limit, then forget it. It’s not feasible, not even at discount stores.Uh, I see 550K. Did you misread it or did I miscalculate?
Karlsson schrieb:
In the past few weeks, we have gathered information at various model homes and factory tours of prefabricated house manufacturers, and we are currently a bit overwhelmed about the best way to make a decision. I can’t just simply sign a construction contract somewhere and see what kind of house results and how much it will cost. And I can’t commission multiple designs from different manufacturers for several thousand euros just to compare the final costs. But somehow, I do need to plan the right house for us on this exact plot of land. How did you approach your decision-making process? Both the solution and guidance toward it can be found at https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/architekten-leistungsphase-1-4-welche-unterlagen-muessen-sein.43438/post-613603 or by searching for "11ant house-building roadmap." Another building advisor (located in Heidelberg) has also been mentioned here in the forum. Where in Rhineland-Palatinate is the plot of land located?
I have already discussed the general methodological approach in several other posts here as well.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Karlsson schrieb:
and a proper timber frame construction, which maybe doesn’t necessarily have to be transported with 5 trucks from the Czech Republic to Rhineland-Palatinate. Whatever your reasons for preferring timber frame construction (HSB): it doesn’t always have to be the big companies; local carpenters can do the job as well. And yes, even solid construction (masonry) is not necessarily less ecological, so it’s worth taking a closer look.
As you already mentioned: everyone initially calculates roughly by square meters.
Showrooms and catalogs are useful to decide on a building style and to get an idea of the room sizes and window effects.
A reliable company usually has model homes to browse—check if one of these fits your plot. Model homes can often be adjusted in size and layout. The planners from house providers tend to be a bit unimaginative, but there is help available here in the forum.
The choice of provider often comes down to gut feeling based on trust, the offer, and price. Nowadays, less focus is on the energy standards (which are practically mandatory now), ecology (formaldehyde and asbestos are no longer used), and with the given budget, on special architecture.
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fm-united17 Feb 2023 07:26We researched which companies other people in our building area had used (most of them moved in about 4 years before we bought the plot). We approached these local companies (HSB and solid construction) as well as others to discuss our requirements and get cost estimates. Mostly, we also received free, customized floor plans from an architect through these contacts. This was very helpful, and you learn something new with every conversation. After about 3-4 months, we knew what we wanted to build.
Like you, we suddenly acquired a plot and are now nearing the completion of the shell construction.
Like you, we suddenly acquired a plot and are now nearing the completion of the shell construction.