ᐅ Single-Family Home – New Construction Project from Day One – And the Planning Begins
Created on: 7 Feb 2020 22:54
D
DaSch17
Hello dear community,
For the past few weeks, I have been following this forum and have already gathered some valuable tips for our own planning.
I would like to use this thread to keep you updated from the very first day of planning until moving in. I hope to receive some valuable advice from the community and that this thread can also serve as a guide for other first-time homebuilders.
Now, a bit about our building project:
As mentioned, we are still quite early in the process...
It all started, as it probably does for most, with requesting a catalog from a prefabricated house company. In our case, it was FingerHaus around mid-December.
This was followed by a phone call with a sales representative from the mentioned company and arranging a first consultation. This appointment is scheduled for Sunday, 09.02.2020.
Since then, we have been intensively working on budget planning, possible floor plans and building plots, as well as ideal typical living space layouts.
So far, we have not purchased a plot yet. However, we are in contact with a municipality that is currently planning an expansion of a new residential area. Fortunately, this allowed us to help decide the size, location, and shape of our future plot. Our desired plot is reserved for us.
Key details of our planned single-family home:
– Location: Southwestphalia, Siegen-Wittgenstein district
– Living area: 179 sqm (1,925 sq ft)
– Concrete slab foundation
– Gable roof
– 1.5 stories with gable roof
– Single garage with extended length for tools/storage room
Our budget:
– Plot including property transfer tax: 70,000 EUR
– Construction costs: 470,000 EUR
– Additional construction costs including earthworks: 70,000 EUR
Our schedule:
– By May 2021: Selection of the construction company
– By July 2021: Contract signing, building permit / planning permission application
– By July 2023: Completion of construction work
– By October 2023: Completion of owner-performed work (painting and flooring) and move-in
We understand that the start of construction depends on the delivery time of the prefab house company, which can vary between 6 and 24 months.
We have now selected 8 different companies with whom we want to conduct initial meetings:
– FingerHaus
– Hanse Haus
– SchwörerHaus
– Bien-Zenker
– Schäfer Haus (contact via family)
– Büdenbender Haus
– WeberHaus
– a local developer
After these initial talks, we want to proceed with more detailed discussions with 4 of these providers.
–––––––––––––––––––
What should we pay attention to during the initial meetings? What is particularly important? Should we disclose our budget to the sales representatives?
For the past few weeks, I have been following this forum and have already gathered some valuable tips for our own planning.
I would like to use this thread to keep you updated from the very first day of planning until moving in. I hope to receive some valuable advice from the community and that this thread can also serve as a guide for other first-time homebuilders.
Now, a bit about our building project:
As mentioned, we are still quite early in the process...
It all started, as it probably does for most, with requesting a catalog from a prefabricated house company. In our case, it was FingerHaus around mid-December.
This was followed by a phone call with a sales representative from the mentioned company and arranging a first consultation. This appointment is scheduled for Sunday, 09.02.2020.
Since then, we have been intensively working on budget planning, possible floor plans and building plots, as well as ideal typical living space layouts.
So far, we have not purchased a plot yet. However, we are in contact with a municipality that is currently planning an expansion of a new residential area. Fortunately, this allowed us to help decide the size, location, and shape of our future plot. Our desired plot is reserved for us.
Key details of our planned single-family home:
– Location: Southwestphalia, Siegen-Wittgenstein district
– Living area: 179 sqm (1,925 sq ft)
– Concrete slab foundation
– Gable roof
– 1.5 stories with gable roof
– Single garage with extended length for tools/storage room
Our budget:
– Plot including property transfer tax: 70,000 EUR
– Construction costs: 470,000 EUR
– Additional construction costs including earthworks: 70,000 EUR
Our schedule:
– By May 2021: Selection of the construction company
– By July 2021: Contract signing, building permit / planning permission application
– By July 2023: Completion of construction work
– By October 2023: Completion of owner-performed work (painting and flooring) and move-in
We understand that the start of construction depends on the delivery time of the prefab house company, which can vary between 6 and 24 months.
We have now selected 8 different companies with whom we want to conduct initial meetings:
– FingerHaus
– Hanse Haus
– SchwörerHaus
– Bien-Zenker
– Schäfer Haus (contact via family)
– Büdenbender Haus
– WeberHaus
– a local developer
After these initial talks, we want to proceed with more detailed discussions with 4 of these providers.
–––––––––––––––––––
What should we pay attention to during the initial meetings? What is particularly important? Should we disclose our budget to the sales representatives?
Here is a brief update as promised:
1.) Unfortunately, the local general contractor (GC) is no longer an option for us. Our build location is now outside their service area (27 minutes or 31 km (19 miles) from their headquarters). My personal impression is that their schedule is fully booked, and they are currently only taking on large, profitable projects. Very disappointing!
2.) Schäfer-Haus is also out of the running. We had a long phone call with the house sales representative responsible for our area to arrange an appointment. From the beginning, the chemistry between us didn’t feel right. Even after the call, we still had a bad feeling. So, we decided not to proceed with a face-to-face meeting.
3.) On the other hand, the call to arrange an appointment with the sales representative from Büdenbender-Haus was very positive. We have a really good feeling and look forward to the meeting. Perhaps it also helped that we know the sales representative personally through some mutual contacts. We have our initial on-site consultation scheduled for early April.
4.) We have also arranged meetings with the remaining prefab house companies. The initial contacts were all pleasant. Schwörerhaus and Bien-Zenker are scheduled for mid-May, and Hanse Haus will be at the end of May.
5.) So far, we haven’t spoken with Weberhaus. Honestly, I’m not sure why…
Basically, we still have some “open slots” to fill. We will follow your advice and reach out to a local architect. Additionally, we want to take a closer look at Nordhaus. Their website made a positive impression on us. Thanks for the recommendation.
Finding a new GC candidate is proving to be quite challenging. In short, there aren’t many options in our region…
The same goes for finding a suitable architect. What criteria should we consider when choosing one?
1.) Unfortunately, the local general contractor (GC) is no longer an option for us. Our build location is now outside their service area (27 minutes or 31 km (19 miles) from their headquarters). My personal impression is that their schedule is fully booked, and they are currently only taking on large, profitable projects. Very disappointing!
2.) Schäfer-Haus is also out of the running. We had a long phone call with the house sales representative responsible for our area to arrange an appointment. From the beginning, the chemistry between us didn’t feel right. Even after the call, we still had a bad feeling. So, we decided not to proceed with a face-to-face meeting.
3.) On the other hand, the call to arrange an appointment with the sales representative from Büdenbender-Haus was very positive. We have a really good feeling and look forward to the meeting. Perhaps it also helped that we know the sales representative personally through some mutual contacts. We have our initial on-site consultation scheduled for early April.
4.) We have also arranged meetings with the remaining prefab house companies. The initial contacts were all pleasant. Schwörerhaus and Bien-Zenker are scheduled for mid-May, and Hanse Haus will be at the end of May.
5.) So far, we haven’t spoken with Weberhaus. Honestly, I’m not sure why…
Basically, we still have some “open slots” to fill. We will follow your advice and reach out to a local architect. Additionally, we want to take a closer look at Nordhaus. Their website made a positive impression on us. Thanks for the recommendation.
Finding a new GC candidate is proving to be quite challenging. In short, there aren’t many options in our region…
The same goes for finding a suitable architect. What criteria should we consider when choosing one?
DaSch17 schrieb:
When children are small, they are naturally bathed in the parents’ bathroom. Once they reach their teenage years, it’s usually showers only. What you never knew, you don’t miss, right?Boys will usually not mind. Girls, however, might take it badly. I would have found it really annoying not to be allowed to take baths anymore.
Why do you need an architect? People from universities of applied sciences usually have their own, don’t they...?
DaSch17 schrieb:
The same applies when searching for a suitable architect. What should you look for when choosing one?Word of mouth! Ask around. If you don’t know anyone who has built with an architect, find out how satisfied they were or if they felt their neighbor’s architect was more attentive, and so on. If not, take a walk through nearby new housing developments on a nice Saturday and talk to the homeowners while they are working in their gardens.
You can easily achieve KfW 55 standard with a solid masonry house.
And remember, it doesn’t really matter how nice you find the salesperson, because after signing the contract, you won't have any further contact with them!
I recommend visiting a showcase home development and contacting additional local builders...
And remember, it doesn’t really matter how nice you find the salesperson, because after signing the contract, you won't have any further contact with them!
I recommend visiting a showcase home development and contacting additional local builders...
Müllerin schrieb:
Why do you need an architect? People from universities of applied sciences usually have their own, don’t they...?That's true. But we would also like to consider consulting an architect as an alternative to the provider from the university of applied sciences.
Our wish is for the architect to handle both the planning and the construction management and inspection (contracting the individual trades, etc.). Basically like a general contractor – if architects at all offer such services?!
Pinky0301 schrieb:
I don’t see a problem with having the bathtub in the master bathroom. It was like that in our home too. If I wanted to take a bath, I just went to the other bathroom.I agree. It was no different in our parents’ houses, by the way. You have to set priorities sometimes and keep costs in mind. I think having the children’s own bathroom at all is pure luxury and definitely not the standard...
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Today we ordered some brochures from Kern-Haus (a regional solid house builder) again. However, we have some reservations about a Duotherm exterior wall. We would prefer a vapor-permeable wall. Has anyone had experience with Duotherm walls?
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