ᐅ Terrace Planning for an End-Row House with a Large Garden – What to Consider?
Created on: 4 Aug 2025 13:41
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Bauherrin123
Hello everyone,
we are now moving on to the outdoor area. We have an end-terrace house with a relatively large garden but a small budget. Still, we want to build a large, beautiful terrace.
We have contacted various craftsmen, gardeners, and companies with offers ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 (or equivalent), so all kinds of quotes.
I need some ideas now:
Below is the sketch: The main point is that I definitely want two terraces: one main terrace along the house in the front, 28m² (301 sq ft), and a smaller one on the side, 12m² (129 sq ft). Now I want to connect the terraces, and I have heard different opinions on this. Some recommend offsetting the terrace stones as a pathway, etc. I have actually decided to close off the corner, meaning to expand the main terrace on the side, creating a corner terrace. Sometimes I worry that it might not look good and I’m unsure. We have a large family; I want large tables with chairs, swings, and more solid surface, but without overdoing it. Also, I don’t want to have to take care of a huge garden, so that would be practical for me. The neighbor was not allowed to build wider or bigger due to property division rules limiting the sealed area, but for Jens, that should not be a problem.
Now my question to you:
How would you plan the terrace? The bigger it is, the more expensive it will be.
What kind of slabs do you have, what material and installation method? I have quotes for 2cm (3/4 inch) slabs set in concrete or 4cm (1 1/2 inch) slabs on a gravel/sand base. I want large slabs.
I would like light-colored slabs with anthracite edging. Regarding roofing, I’m not sure if I’m allowed to build 7m (23 ft) wide and whether I can exceed the building limit line. I would like about 7 by 4m (23 by 13 ft)... but that would be 1m (3 ft) over the building limit. On the side, I have already enlarged the living space with a bay window under a special permit; I don’t know if I can add a roof there too. Now I need advice, ideas, tips—I’m a bit lost about what to consider, etc.
I’m also happy to hear about your experiences with terraces, what mistakes you made, what worked well, what you would do differently. Especially, what did your terraces cost.
Thank you
we are now moving on to the outdoor area. We have an end-terrace house with a relatively large garden but a small budget. Still, we want to build a large, beautiful terrace.
We have contacted various craftsmen, gardeners, and companies with offers ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 (or equivalent), so all kinds of quotes.
I need some ideas now:
Below is the sketch: The main point is that I definitely want two terraces: one main terrace along the house in the front, 28m² (301 sq ft), and a smaller one on the side, 12m² (129 sq ft). Now I want to connect the terraces, and I have heard different opinions on this. Some recommend offsetting the terrace stones as a pathway, etc. I have actually decided to close off the corner, meaning to expand the main terrace on the side, creating a corner terrace. Sometimes I worry that it might not look good and I’m unsure. We have a large family; I want large tables with chairs, swings, and more solid surface, but without overdoing it. Also, I don’t want to have to take care of a huge garden, so that would be practical for me. The neighbor was not allowed to build wider or bigger due to property division rules limiting the sealed area, but for Jens, that should not be a problem.
Now my question to you:
How would you plan the terrace? The bigger it is, the more expensive it will be.
What kind of slabs do you have, what material and installation method? I have quotes for 2cm (3/4 inch) slabs set in concrete or 4cm (1 1/2 inch) slabs on a gravel/sand base. I want large slabs.
I would like light-colored slabs with anthracite edging. Regarding roofing, I’m not sure if I’m allowed to build 7m (23 ft) wide and whether I can exceed the building limit line. I would like about 7 by 4m (23 by 13 ft)... but that would be 1m (3 ft) over the building limit. On the side, I have already enlarged the living space with a bay window under a special permit; I don’t know if I can add a roof there too. Now I need advice, ideas, tips—I’m a bit lost about what to consider, etc.
I’m also happy to hear about your experiences with terraces, what mistakes you made, what worked well, what you would do differently. Especially, what did your terraces cost.
Thank you
H
hanghaus202316 Oct 2025 10:34I would like to see the response from the building authority.
nordanney schrieb:
A preliminary building decision or the subsequent building permit can be legally challenged. I have experienced this myself. Withdrawing it is the same as revoking an already issued building permit.Ok. I was just worried that a "new" review might bring up a "new" issue. If that is safe, the original poster has nothing to lose except money.
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Bauherrin12316 Oct 2025 10:45I spoke with the responsible caseworker, and I’m certain about the 3m (10 feet); I can’t lose that. They didn’t say whether I’m allowed to build right up to the property line, but since it’s an end-of-terrace house, that shouldn’t be a problem, especially since the neighbor also has 50cm (20 inches) clearance. They can’t take away my 3m (10 feet) because the neighbor has it too. They explained that this is based on a legally binding decision that applies. I can’t recall it exactly right now, but the 3m (10 feet) is definitely secure. By the way, I’m still allowed to officially cover 150m² (1600 square feet) of my property; the terraces will get bigger anyway. Whether I roof them or not doesn’t affect the rainwater issue, as it doesn’t add any additional surface area, and I am still below the site coverage ratio. The only problem is the building limit. In the neighboring district, there isn’t a building limit like this; people there have similar roofed areas, often even closer to their neighbors. In my district, I need to check again; only a few gardens are visible, and Google Maps doesn’t have all the houses.
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Bauherrin12316 Oct 2025 11:05A small correction:
I am allowed to build up to the property line because you wrote that 7x3x2.50 would not be a problem and would be approved. 7 m (23 feet) is the house width; only the depth is the issue since you rejected 4 m (13 feet).
I am allowed to build up to the property line because you wrote that 7x3x2.50 would not be a problem and would be approved. 7 m (23 feet) is the house width; only the depth is the issue since you rejected 4 m (13 feet).
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nordanney16 Oct 2025 11:56Bauherrin123 schrieb:
They don’t have it in the next district, It doesn’t matter at all. It might be the same in Beijing or Timbuktu. You can derive the same rights from that as we do from the neighboring district.
Right next to me, you also don’t have to form an emergency lane on the highway. Here, if I don’t do it, I get fined. That’s how it is because that’s what the national authorities decided.
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hanghaus202316 Oct 2025 12:19The staff at the building authority will rarely exercise their discretion, because otherwise the next neighbor will come, just like you, and check what has been approved for the neighbors.