After having approached the topic the wrong way in the last thread, here is another attempt. First, our requirements:
Overall Requirements
The entire project must be completed within a budget of 280,000 euros. The finished product must be a move-in ready house including driveway, carport, lawn, and a hedge around the property.
Requirements for All Rooms
Every room must have a window.
Requirements for Children’s Rooms
The children’s rooms must be at least 10 m² (108 sq ft) in size.
The children’s rooms should preferably be square-shaped.
There must be three children’s rooms included.
Preferably, there should be four children’s rooms included.
Requirements for Kitchen, Dining, and Living Rooms
The kitchen must have at least one wall without a door measuring 230 cm (7 ft 7 in) and an adjacent wall without a door measuring 310 cm (10 ft 2 in).
The floor plan should include an open-plan kitchen-living area.
The kitchen and dining room can be in direct view of each other.
The living room should not be visible from the kitchen but should be visible from the dining room.
(An ideal solution would be an L-shape layout with the kitchen at one end and the living room at the other.)
Requirements for the (Master) Bedroom
The bedroom must be able to accommodate a wardrobe 200 cm (6 ft 7 in) wide and a bed 180 cm (6 ft) wide.
The bedroom may have space for a nightstand on each side of the bed.
Requirements for Bathrooms
There must be two bathrooms, both equipped with toilets.
One bathroom must include a bathtub.
Pantry / Storage Room
The home must provide at least 4 m² (43 sq ft) of storage space.
Utility Room
The utility room must have space for a washing machine and a dryer.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size
Approximately 300 m² (0.07 acres)
Slope
No
Floor area ratio (FAR)
0.4
Gross floor area ratio
0.8
Building envelope, building line, and boundaries
Edge development
Number of parking spaces
Two
Roof shape
Architectural style
Orientation
15° roof direction
Maximum heights / limits
FH 11.5 m (37 ft 9 in); TH 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
Other specifications
Homeowner requirements
Building type
Solid construction house, bungalow
Basement, storeys
Only one ground floor level
Number of occupants, age
Two adults and one preschool child, with tendency to increase
Space requirements on ground and upper floors
Office: family use or home office?
Family use or not necessary
Number of overnight guests per year
About 40
Open or closed architecture
Conservative or modern building style
Open kitchen, kitchen island
Open-plan kitchen-living area
Number of dining seats
3+
Fireplace
Yes, mine
Music / stereo wall
No, but a 5+1 surround sound system with a 280 x 158 cm (110 x 62 in) screen should be planned.
Balcony, roof terrace
No
Garage, carport
Carport and bicycle shed
Utility garden, greenhouse
No
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, also with reasons
If possible, barrier-free design so the house can serve as a residence for old age
General House Design
Who designed it
Planner from a construction company
Personal price limit for house, including fittings
280,000 €
Preferred heating technology
Gas heating
Specific House Designs
Design number 1 - Park 140 W
What do you particularly like? Why?
Central living area where family life happens. Kitchen, dining, and living rooms are ideally arranged in an L-shape.
Windows in every room for good ventilation and natural light.
Five equally sized rooms that can be used flexibly.
What do you not like? Why?
Quite a few doors on the left side of the plan, making that area feel busy.
Estimated cost according to architect/planner
163,400 €
Which details / expansions can you do without?
Which details / expansions are absolutely necessary?
Why does the design look the way it does now?
Standard design from the planner
Specific House Designs
Design number 2 - Bungalow 123
What do you particularly like? Why?
Central living area where family life happens. Kitchen, dining, and living rooms are ideally arranged in an L-shape.
Windows in every room for good ventilation and daylight.
Guest toilet is easily accessible from the center.
Two showers.
What do you not like? Why?
The large bathroom is only accessible through the master bedroom.
Only three children’s rooms.
The children’s rooms vary in size.
Estimated cost according to architect/planner
xxx €
Which details / expansions can you do without?
The master bedroom is too large.
Which details / expansions are absolutely necessary?
Why does the design look the way it does now?
Standard design from the planner
Specific House Designs
Design number 3 - Bungalow 119
What do you particularly like? Why?
Central living area where family life happens. Kitchen, dining, and living rooms are ideally arranged in an L-shape.
Windows in every room for good ventilation and natural light.
Five equally sized rooms that can be used flexibly.
Guest toilet is easily accessible.
Two showers.
A terrace in the bottom right of the plan has abundant sunlight during the day.
What do you not like? Why?
The large bathroom is only accessible through the master bedroom.
Only three children’s rooms.
The children’s rooms vary in size.
Estimated cost according to architect/planner
xxx €
Which details / expansions can you do without?
The master bedroom is too large.
Which details / expansions are absolutely necessary?
Why does the design look the way it does now?
Standard design from the planner
Overall Requirements
The entire project must be completed within a budget of 280,000 euros. The finished product must be a move-in ready house including driveway, carport, lawn, and a hedge around the property.
Requirements for All Rooms
Every room must have a window.
Requirements for Children’s Rooms
The children’s rooms must be at least 10 m² (108 sq ft) in size.
The children’s rooms should preferably be square-shaped.
There must be three children’s rooms included.
Preferably, there should be four children’s rooms included.
Requirements for Kitchen, Dining, and Living Rooms
The kitchen must have at least one wall without a door measuring 230 cm (7 ft 7 in) and an adjacent wall without a door measuring 310 cm (10 ft 2 in).
The floor plan should include an open-plan kitchen-living area.
The kitchen and dining room can be in direct view of each other.
The living room should not be visible from the kitchen but should be visible from the dining room.
(An ideal solution would be an L-shape layout with the kitchen at one end and the living room at the other.)
Requirements for the (Master) Bedroom
The bedroom must be able to accommodate a wardrobe 200 cm (6 ft 7 in) wide and a bed 180 cm (6 ft) wide.
The bedroom may have space for a nightstand on each side of the bed.
Requirements for Bathrooms
There must be two bathrooms, both equipped with toilets.
One bathroom must include a bathtub.
Pantry / Storage Room
The home must provide at least 4 m² (43 sq ft) of storage space.
Utility Room
The utility room must have space for a washing machine and a dryer.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size
Approximately 300 m² (0.07 acres)
Slope
No
Floor area ratio (FAR)
0.4
Gross floor area ratio
0.8
Building envelope, building line, and boundaries
Edge development
Number of parking spaces
Two
Roof shape
Architectural style
Orientation
15° roof direction
Maximum heights / limits
FH 11.5 m (37 ft 9 in); TH 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
Other specifications
Homeowner requirements
Building type
Solid construction house, bungalow
Basement, storeys
Only one ground floor level
Number of occupants, age
Two adults and one preschool child, with tendency to increase
Space requirements on ground and upper floors
Office: family use or home office?
Family use or not necessary
Number of overnight guests per year
About 40
Open or closed architecture
Conservative or modern building style
Open kitchen, kitchen island
Open-plan kitchen-living area
Number of dining seats
3+
Fireplace
Yes, mine
Music / stereo wall
No, but a 5+1 surround sound system with a 280 x 158 cm (110 x 62 in) screen should be planned.
Balcony, roof terrace
No
Garage, carport
Carport and bicycle shed
Utility garden, greenhouse
No
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, also with reasons
If possible, barrier-free design so the house can serve as a residence for old age
General House Design
Who designed it
Planner from a construction company
Personal price limit for house, including fittings
280,000 €
Preferred heating technology
Gas heating
Specific House Designs
Design number 1 - Park 140 W
What do you particularly like? Why?
Central living area where family life happens. Kitchen, dining, and living rooms are ideally arranged in an L-shape.
Windows in every room for good ventilation and natural light.
Five equally sized rooms that can be used flexibly.
What do you not like? Why?
Quite a few doors on the left side of the plan, making that area feel busy.
Estimated cost according to architect/planner
163,400 €
Which details / expansions can you do without?
Which details / expansions are absolutely necessary?
Why does the design look the way it does now?
Standard design from the planner
Specific House Designs
Design number 2 - Bungalow 123
What do you particularly like? Why?
Central living area where family life happens. Kitchen, dining, and living rooms are ideally arranged in an L-shape.
Windows in every room for good ventilation and daylight.
Guest toilet is easily accessible from the center.
Two showers.
What do you not like? Why?
The large bathroom is only accessible through the master bedroom.
Only three children’s rooms.
The children’s rooms vary in size.
Estimated cost according to architect/planner
xxx €
Which details / expansions can you do without?
The master bedroom is too large.
Which details / expansions are absolutely necessary?
Why does the design look the way it does now?
Standard design from the planner
Specific House Designs
Design number 3 - Bungalow 119
What do you particularly like? Why?
Central living area where family life happens. Kitchen, dining, and living rooms are ideally arranged in an L-shape.
Windows in every room for good ventilation and natural light.
Five equally sized rooms that can be used flexibly.
Guest toilet is easily accessible.
Two showers.
A terrace in the bottom right of the plan has abundant sunlight during the day.
What do you not like? Why?
The large bathroom is only accessible through the master bedroom.
Only three children’s rooms.
The children’s rooms vary in size.
Estimated cost according to architect/planner
xxx €
Which details / expansions can you do without?
The master bedroom is too large.
Which details / expansions are absolutely necessary?
Why does the design look the way it does now?
Standard design from the planner
Nordlys schrieb:
Oh, no equity? Then keep away from building. Young buildings: 20%, mid-age about one third, almost old 50% plus, old ones cash payment. That's my view.Yes!
The equity is being built up in the meantime. Income is over 4000, and from now on savings will start [emoji2]
@Evolith Unfortunately, I can’t quote from the citation. I hope it still stays clear.
Underfloor heating bathroom €2,000 Is it necessary in the guest toilet?
--> definitely! How else do you want to get heat in there? Such small rooms cool down very quickly.
If there is no underfloor heating, there will still be a radiator. The price is for the upgrade from a ‘standard’ heating system to underfloor heating.
Power outlets €0 Standard is sufficient
--> I really doubt that. The standard is usually three outlets per room. Trust me, that’s quite sparse.
I will check that. During the viewing, the advisor said the apartment meets the standard and there were six outlets per room, which is more than enough. Whether he was correct, I don’t know.
Speaker cables / conduit pipes €300 Estimated without precise calculation. Does anyone have experience with this?
LAN sockets €0 Included in the standard
--> read the construction specification carefully about what is actually included. Sometimes they only count the cables, not the sockets. Also, what about TV? Satellite?
I will review that. I haven’t connected a TV for 8 years, but for resale value, this should probably be considered.
Construction supervisor, for example, Private Home Builders Association €0 How much does it cost and are further experts required?
--> we hired one from the Building Owners’ Protection Association and would always recommend doing so. We paid €300 per visit.
How many visits did you have, so I can get an idea of the scale?
Thanks a lot, I will do both. I will probably contact the Private Home Builders Association first to discuss my project with them.
He told me a bit too often that this or that would be no problem. I need to check right away if what he said about the outlets is true.
Oh yes, even the bay window looked so nice in the design. And a fireplace wouldn’t be bad either. And one more child’s bedroom.
There is equity. The kitchen is easily included in the equity.
I would count myself as half old. With a currently estimated loan volume of €315,000, that would be €100,000 equity. It’s not that much after all. We can manage 10%, but probably won’t quite reach 20%. However, I would like to keep 10% as a reserve in case something unexpected happens.
Underfloor heating bathroom €2,000 Is it necessary in the guest toilet?
--> definitely! How else do you want to get heat in there? Such small rooms cool down very quickly.
If there is no underfloor heating, there will still be a radiator. The price is for the upgrade from a ‘standard’ heating system to underfloor heating.
Power outlets €0 Standard is sufficient
--> I really doubt that. The standard is usually three outlets per room. Trust me, that’s quite sparse.
I will check that. During the viewing, the advisor said the apartment meets the standard and there were six outlets per room, which is more than enough. Whether he was correct, I don’t know.
Speaker cables / conduit pipes €300 Estimated without precise calculation. Does anyone have experience with this?
LAN sockets €0 Included in the standard
--> read the construction specification carefully about what is actually included. Sometimes they only count the cables, not the sockets. Also, what about TV? Satellite?
I will review that. I haven’t connected a TV for 8 years, but for resale value, this should probably be considered.
Construction supervisor, for example, Private Home Builders Association €0 How much does it cost and are further experts required?
--> we hired one from the Building Owners’ Protection Association and would always recommend doing so. We paid €300 per visit.
How many visits did you have, so I can get an idea of the scale?
Evolith schrieb:
Take the construction specification from Town & Country and read through exactly what is included and what isn’t. It’s best to get professional help with this.
Thanks a lot, I will do both. I will probably contact the Private Home Builders Association first to discuss my project with them.
Nordlys schrieb:
Do you feel like you are on equal footing when talking with Town & Country, or do you get the impression they see you as a novice to be milked?
He told me a bit too often that this or that would be no problem. I need to check right away if what he said about the outlets is true.
Nordlys schrieb:
The OP plans to build very frugally. It’s possible, but it requires discipline. The temptations will definitely test him.
Oh yes, even the bay window looked so nice in the design. And a fireplace wouldn’t be bad either. And one more child’s bedroom.
ypg schrieb:
and there is no equity, as far as I know.
There is equity. The kitchen is easily included in the equity.
Nordlys schrieb:
half old, one third
I would count myself as half old. With a currently estimated loan volume of €315,000, that would be €100,000 equity. It’s not that much after all. We can manage 10%, but probably won’t quite reach 20%. However, I would like to keep 10% as a reserve in case something unexpected happens.
ypg schrieb:
Meanwhile, the equity is being built up. The salary is over 4000€ (about 4000 USD), and from now on, savings will start [emoji2]So is it better to wait until the 105,000€ (about 105,000 USD) is in the account? At the current rate, that would take about 6-7 years.
If the laughing emoji meant it’s only now that saving has started — actually, saving has been going on since the end of university, which wasn’t that long ago.
chbest schrieb:
So would it be better to wait until the 105,000 (105k) is in the account? With current growth, that won’t happen for another 6-7 years.
If the laughing emoji was because the saving just started now: savings have actually been ongoing since the end of university, which wasn’t that long ago. Honestly: no one can afford a house right after finishing their training—most people save for about a decade first, yes.
Because otherwise, it hardly works.
And I can tell from your resistance to advice that there’s still a lot of life lessons ahead.
Electrical Outlets: Rely only on what is clearly stated in writing in the building specifications. Make sure you have significantly more outlets in the living room, kitchen, and utility room. Don’t skimp on network outlets either (unless you are a strong advocate of Wi-Fi). We have 4 outlets alone in the living room and a double outlet in each children’s bedroom.
Satellite TV: I would at least have the cables and outlets installed. Whether you connect a dish right away is up to you. Do you already have children? Our little one insists on watching “Sandmann” and “Yakari” afterwards, and by now I’m attached to my “Babystation.”
Building Young: We did that too. I’m 30. The advantage is that after paying off your mortgage, you can still save a bit and then enjoy a comfortable retirement.
Satellite TV: I would at least have the cables and outlets installed. Whether you connect a dish right away is up to you. Do you already have children? Our little one insists on watching “Sandmann” and “Yakari” afterwards, and by now I’m attached to my “Babystation.”
Building Young: We did that too. I’m 30. The advantage is that after paying off your mortgage, you can still save a bit and then enjoy a comfortable retirement.
Plan for electrical outlets in the kitchen to accommodate high-power appliances (oven, steam cooker, cooktop, etc.) as well as the dishwasher, which usually need to be connected to dedicated, properly protected outlets.
In general, I would recommend considering underfloor heating not only for the bathroom, even though it may initially be more expensive. Overall, the heating system can be operated with a lower supply temperature. Additionally, valuable space can be gained in the relatively small rooms because there is no need to consider radiators. This often simplifies kitchen planning as well, or allows better placement of furniture such as the sofa (which should not be placed bulky in front of a radiator).
In general, I would recommend considering underfloor heating not only for the bathroom, even though it may initially be more expensive. Overall, the heating system can be operated with a lower supply temperature. Additionally, valuable space can be gained in the relatively small rooms because there is no need to consider radiators. This often simplifies kitchen planning as well, or allows better placement of furniture such as the sofa (which should not be placed bulky in front of a radiator).
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