ᐅ Single-Family Solid Construction House with 142 m² Living Area – Questions About Floor Plans and Construction Costs
Created on: 26 Sep 2013 14:27
B
baumann2013
Hello everyone,
After browsing the forum a bit and mostly reading along, I would like to share our building project and ask for your opinions on our floor plan idea and the roughly calculated costs so far. The house will have the following key features:
We have put together the following floor plan, which best matches our current ideas:
What do you think? Some users have mentioned that it is not ideal for the staircase to be right next to the front door. I can understand the argument about dirt being tracked in. However, this layout seems to us to be the best option in terms of minimizing space used by the entrance area and stairwell. Increasing the house’s external dimensions would also significantly increase costs.
Regarding the guest room, we prefer to have it on the ground floor. We are also thinking ahead to when we get older and would then have a potential bedroom on the ground floor. That is also why there is an additional shower in the guest bathroom on the ground floor.
We have not given much thought to the windows yet. The windows shown on the floor plan are therefore not final, and we would appreciate any ideas or suggestions.
Concerning the overall costs, we would like your opinion on how realistic the following breakdown is:
205,000 € house price (= 1,450 €/sqm (135 USD/sq ft) – offer already received)
30,000 € additional building costs
15,000 € specification buffer + extras
10,000 € materials for outdoor facilities, mostly done by ourselves
-------
260,000 € total costs excluding land costs
Do you see any potential to reduce these costs? It all seems a bit high to us overall. We would also be grateful for any further suggestions.
After browsing the forum a bit and mostly reading along, I would like to share our building project and ask for your opinions on our floor plan idea and the roughly calculated costs so far. The house will have the following key features:
- Solid construction detached single-family house with approximately 142 sqm (1,528 sq ft) of living space and a gable roof
- No bay windows/balconies etc.
- Building location: Saxony/Chemnitz
- A "normal single-family house" for 4 people plus a guest/office room
- Slightly sloping plot from north to south – about 700 sqm (7,535 sq ft) in size
We have put together the following floor plan, which best matches our current ideas:
What do you think? Some users have mentioned that it is not ideal for the staircase to be right next to the front door. I can understand the argument about dirt being tracked in. However, this layout seems to us to be the best option in terms of minimizing space used by the entrance area and stairwell. Increasing the house’s external dimensions would also significantly increase costs.
Regarding the guest room, we prefer to have it on the ground floor. We are also thinking ahead to when we get older and would then have a potential bedroom on the ground floor. That is also why there is an additional shower in the guest bathroom on the ground floor.
We have not given much thought to the windows yet. The windows shown on the floor plan are therefore not final, and we would appreciate any ideas or suggestions.
Concerning the overall costs, we would like your opinion on how realistic the following breakdown is:
205,000 € house price (= 1,450 €/sqm (135 USD/sq ft) – offer already received)
30,000 € additional building costs
15,000 € specification buffer + extras
10,000 € materials for outdoor facilities, mostly done by ourselves
-------
260,000 € total costs excluding land costs
Do you see any potential to reduce these costs? It all seems a bit high to us overall. We would also be grateful for any further suggestions.
Hi,
compared to the first draft, I find this one much better.
Regarding the bathroom:
Firstly, I’m surprised no one has mentioned the bathtub yet. It is placed directly under the sloped roof. Usually, a bathtub is also mounted on feet, which means you will lose at least another 10cm (4 inches) in height here.
Of course, you sit or lie down in the bathtub while bathing. But at some point, you will also want to get in or out, and that could cause serious head bumps if you’re not careful.
Do you really need two sinks? We initially thought along the same lines. A colleague told me they also wanted two sinks desperately but have only used one for years. The other just collects dust. After careful consideration, we decided on just one sink.
If the building plan doesn’t prohibit it, you can also consider a 2-story house with a gable roof. That’s how our house will be built.
The undeniable advantage of a 2-story house is that you don’t have to worry as much about the arrangement of furniture, bathroom fixtures, etc. You have more freedom in your decisions. According to information we received, the price difference is not that big for the same LIVING AREA. Maybe something to consider.
compared to the first draft, I find this one much better.
Regarding the bathroom:
Firstly, I’m surprised no one has mentioned the bathtub yet. It is placed directly under the sloped roof. Usually, a bathtub is also mounted on feet, which means you will lose at least another 10cm (4 inches) in height here.
Of course, you sit or lie down in the bathtub while bathing. But at some point, you will also want to get in or out, and that could cause serious head bumps if you’re not careful.
Do you really need two sinks? We initially thought along the same lines. A colleague told me they also wanted two sinks desperately but have only used one for years. The other just collects dust. After careful consideration, we decided on just one sink.
Musketier schrieb:
Generally, 1.5-story houses are somewhat cheaper per square meter of living space than 2-story houses. I suspect this is due to the more complex truss roof construction in 2-story houses. An advantage of the 1.5-story house is the larger storage space in the attic. The downside is the larger foundation slab and, therefore, less garden area for the same living space.
Of course, it always has to be checked what is permitted by the building plan.
If the building plan doesn’t prohibit it, you can also consider a 2-story house with a gable roof. That’s how our house will be built.
The undeniable advantage of a 2-story house is that you don’t have to worry as much about the arrangement of furniture, bathroom fixtures, etc. You have more freedom in your decisions. According to information we received, the price difference is not that big for the same LIVING AREA. Maybe something to consider.
Well, that’s a matter of personal preference... I think sloped ceilings add much more of a “homey” feeling.
Our bathtub is also placed directly under the sloped ceiling, and I have no problem getting in and out... well, I’m only 1.80 meters (5 ft 11 in) tall. It really depends on how high the knee wall is. You could also position the tub in the corner between the outer walls... that would free up more space on the wall with the toilet, and you could swap the washbasin and shower, replacing the wall with a glass partition.
I find an open kitchen much more pleasant, with a better sense of space and shorter walking distances... the smells are manageable—open a window briefly and they’re gone. But well, that’s just my opinion...
If the bookshelf has to be there, then a wall is necessary...
Our bathtub is also placed directly under the sloped ceiling, and I have no problem getting in and out... well, I’m only 1.80 meters (5 ft 11 in) tall. It really depends on how high the knee wall is. You could also position the tub in the corner between the outer walls... that would free up more space on the wall with the toilet, and you could swap the washbasin and shower, replacing the wall with a glass partition.
I find an open kitchen much more pleasant, with a better sense of space and shorter walking distances... the smells are manageable—open a window briefly and they’re gone. But well, that’s just my opinion...
If the bookshelf has to be there, then a wall is necessary...
f-pNo schrieb:
Is it really necessary to have two sinks? At first, we were thinking along those lines as well. A colleague told me that they also wanted two sinks at all costs, but have been using only one for years. The other one just collects dust. After careful consideration, we decided on just one sink. For four people, I would lean toward a double sink—one for the adults, one for the children.
For three people, a single vanity might be enough (although I have to say that I already use up the storage space behind the vanity )
f-pNo schrieb:
If the building regulations/planning permission do not prohibit it, you could also consider a two-story house with a pitched roof. That is how our house will be built.
The undeniable advantage of a two-story house is that you have much more flexibility when it comes to arranging furniture, bathroom fixtures, etc. You are less restricted in your decisions. According to what we were told, the price difference for the same living area is not that significant. Perhaps an option to consider. Whether a two-story house with a pitched roof (which often looks like an apartment block) or with a hipped roof: it's a matter of personal taste, especially when you feel "overwhelmed" by tall walls on a small plot.
Roof slopes do limit furniture placement options, but they also add a cozy atmosphere to the room.
You often face challenges furnishing a family bathroom, but this bathroom should work without expensive installations.
B
Bauexperte26 Oct 2013 11:21Hello Musketier,
Yes, that’s because in the attic there is only a modest knee wall installed.
Actually, it’s the other way around. It’s precisely the truss roof construction that makes a two-story house significantly more affordable and thus attractive for a builder, especially if the local building permit / planning permission allows, for example, the construction of an urban villa.
Best regards, Bauexperte
Musketier schrieb:
In general, 1.5-story houses are somewhat more cost-effective per square meter of living space than 2-story houses.
Yes, that’s because in the attic there is only a modest knee wall installed.
Musketier schrieb:
I assume that’s due to the more complex truss roof construction in 2-story houses.
Actually, it’s the other way around. It’s precisely the truss roof construction that makes a two-story house significantly more affordable and thus attractive for a builder, especially if the local building permit / planning permission allows, for example, the construction of an urban villa.
Best regards, Bauexperte
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