Hello and good day,
we are new here because we are quite unsure, but let me explain step by step...
We live near Rüsselsheim in a house built in 1960. There are several things that need renovation. The roof needs to be replaced. Pipes, wiring, and electrical systems are all from the 1960s standard. The heating system needs to be renewed, especially the oil tanks. Windows, insulation, and the basement is damp. Since there is quite a bit to do, we thought about demolishing the house and building everything new. It is a two-family house with 90sqm (970 sq ft) each. However, only one floor is currently occupied.
So, at first we thought about tearing it down and building something new on the plot.
There are hardly any restrictions on what can be built here because there is no detailed zoning plan (building plan). We went to the city office, and they just said the building footprint can’t exceed 100sqm (1,076 sq ft) and that the 3m (10 ft) building setback limits from the street and neighbors must be respected. Everything else does not matter.
So we drove to Bad Vilbel to visit a prefab house show park to get an impression.
We were quite impressed by the houses, but the prices...
We want a house with about 150sqm (1,615 sq ft) of living space. In this size range WITHOUT a basement, the cost would be around 200,000€ (approximately $215,000). With demolition and a basement included, it would be around 270,000 to 300,000€ (about $290,000 to $320,000)!!!
I find this extremely overpriced! In our town, there were terraced houses WITH land for 150,000€ (~$160,000). Of course, it’s not really comparable, but for that price, I could almost get two houses.
Is it even worth building a prefab house? Architects surely have portfolios with standard house designs you can choose from.
My parents also built a house. 160sqm (1,720 sq ft) of living space, architect-planned, and it cost less than the prefab house!? And it’s only about 300m (1,000 ft) away from here.
Sure, the salespeople tried to make their product appealing... but sometimes I thought what they said barely made sense.
- Brick cladding would be pointless
- Solar panels would be nonsensical
- The stove would be a luxury
We are newcomers and would appreciate any advice!
we are new here because we are quite unsure, but let me explain step by step...
We live near Rüsselsheim in a house built in 1960. There are several things that need renovation. The roof needs to be replaced. Pipes, wiring, and electrical systems are all from the 1960s standard. The heating system needs to be renewed, especially the oil tanks. Windows, insulation, and the basement is damp. Since there is quite a bit to do, we thought about demolishing the house and building everything new. It is a two-family house with 90sqm (970 sq ft) each. However, only one floor is currently occupied.
So, at first we thought about tearing it down and building something new on the plot.
There are hardly any restrictions on what can be built here because there is no detailed zoning plan (building plan). We went to the city office, and they just said the building footprint can’t exceed 100sqm (1,076 sq ft) and that the 3m (10 ft) building setback limits from the street and neighbors must be respected. Everything else does not matter.
So we drove to Bad Vilbel to visit a prefab house show park to get an impression.
We were quite impressed by the houses, but the prices...
We want a house with about 150sqm (1,615 sq ft) of living space. In this size range WITHOUT a basement, the cost would be around 200,000€ (approximately $215,000). With demolition and a basement included, it would be around 270,000 to 300,000€ (about $290,000 to $320,000)!!!
I find this extremely overpriced! In our town, there were terraced houses WITH land for 150,000€ (~$160,000). Of course, it’s not really comparable, but for that price, I could almost get two houses.
Is it even worth building a prefab house? Architects surely have portfolios with standard house designs you can choose from.
My parents also built a house. 160sqm (1,720 sq ft) of living space, architect-planned, and it cost less than the prefab house!? And it’s only about 300m (1,000 ft) away from here.
Sure, the salespeople tried to make their product appealing... but sometimes I thought what they said barely made sense.
- Brick cladding would be pointless
- Solar panels would be nonsensical
- The stove would be a luxury
We are newcomers and would appreciate any advice!
N
Newyorker22 Feb 2015 20:56Hello,
these terraced houses were really available here at this bargain price. They are about 10 years old.
We will now compare prices and list the things needed for renovation or demolition.
Next weekend, we plan to visit the trade fair in Hochheim. I hope to gain some useful information there.
I thought a prefab house would be cheaper and faster... guess I learned something new!
these terraced houses were really available here at this bargain price. They are about 10 years old.
We will now compare prices and list the things needed for renovation or demolition.
Next weekend, we plan to visit the trade fair in Hochheim. I hope to gain some useful information there.
I thought a prefab house would be cheaper and faster... guess I learned something new!