ᐅ Thoughts on a Shell Home or a Solid Construction House

Hello dear forum, I would like to briefly share my thoughts with you...

I have been considering building my own home for some time. I came across several prefabricated house providers that offer homes in various stages of completion (for example, the Living series by Bien-Zenker, Family series by Danwood). However, a solid masonry house at a similar stage of completion would also be an option.

I consider myself skilled enough to handle tasks like plastering and painting, installing flooring, and assisting my electrician and plumber friends to save some money.

I am in no hurry, currently living rent-free in a two-room apartment at my parents’ place, but of course, this should not be a permanent situation.

Since I want to manage the entire house project on my own, price naturally plays a significant role. Here is a rough outline of my budget and plans (I’m sure I have forgotten some things...):

Plot of land: 550 sqm (5920 sq ft), fully developed, including related costs: 50,000 € (80 € (about $86) per sqm fully developed)

Additional costs: approximately 17,000 € (site expenses like electricity, utility connections, sewage works)

Foundation and earthworks: approximately 20,000 €

House price depending on completion stage: 100,000-120,000 €

Exterior work: about 2,000 € for preliminary rough work, with detailed landscaping to follow in 2-3 years.

Flooring and painting materials: about 5,000 € (tiles are included in the house price)

This brings the total estimated cost to around 180,000-190,000 €.

Is this a realistic budget? It seems somewhat low to me. I based these costs on various builder diaries and took an average.

Would it perhaps be an advantage to hand over the shell construction to a local construction company and then tender the remaining trades step by step?

I am already looking forward to your suggestions, information, ideas, and critical feedback!

Best regards

I can’t imagine that your budget will be enough. A friend built with a rather low-cost supplier or sourced his “kit” from them and paid about $150,000 for approximately 125m² (1,345 sq ft). However, he really did EVERYTHING himself, from plumbing, heating, and electrical installations to drywalling walls and ceilings, tiling and flooring, interior doors, sanitary fittings, and so on.

He also stuck with the standard features, except for a few additional outlets and electric roller shutters.

I assume the house is without a basement. What about a garage? And what exactly do you plan to do with $2,000 for landscaping?

Just a staircase (if needed) to the main entrance can quickly cost a five-figure amount. A terrace in reinforced concrete alone costs at least $50 per m² ($4.65 per sq ft), parking spaces, plants—they are expensive, too, and so on.

Do you really want to take on a shell house at 24 with financial risks?

Why a house, do you have a family?

In general, I see no objection to building a home if you can afford it and feel connected to the place. Building will not get cheaper in the future, and the more time you have to pay it off, the better. However, you shouldn’t overextend yourself, neither in terms of work/stress nor finances.

What is included in the price of the shell construction?

Are electrical installations, plumbing, and interior doors included? If not, where is the budget for these items allocated?

daniels87 schrieb:
What is included in the price of a shell home?

Are electrical, plumbing, and interior doors included? If not, where is the budget for these?

A friend experienced that the shell was provided—that is, the house including the roof, windows, and front door—while inside there was only a basic wooden frame. He received loads of materials, everything needed from wiring to faucets, and then built the house himself.

Oh, and only the screed was installed by a company; he did the insulation and underfloor heating beforehand.