Good morning,
we are currently calculating the costs for building a basic house.
For us, it is clear that doing work ourselves to “finish it” makes no sense. We are extremely unskilled in craftsmanship, won’t be able to manage the time, and we pay such high rent that it probably wouldn’t be worthwhile if a construction project drags on for months because the self-performed work was overestimated.
The initially quoted house price refers to the turnkey stage. As the homeowners, the following tasks would still need to be completed by us to finish the house:
- Filling and sanding of ceiling element or panel joints to create a surface suitable for wallpapering
- Final treatment of the roof structure with glaze or top coat
- Jointing of gaps between plasterboard surfaces with joint filler
- Floor tiling in the kitchen, utility room, and hallway
- Floor coverings
- Painting the steel structure of the staircase
- General painting and wallpapering of walls and ceilings
(I hope I haven’t forgotten anything here; I am referring to the specifications of the finish level we are targeting.)
We were initially quoted that if we want everything fully completed with no further work done ourselves (move-in ready?), we should add approximately 35,000 euros.
My question is: In your opinion, is this a realistic amount to reach the move-in ready status? We are talking about a single-family house of 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft), pitched roof, no basement. Is 35,000 euros estimated too high, would it make more sense to subcontract these tasks to a company? Or is 35,000 euros possibly far from enough?
What should generally be considered when aiming to build a move-in ready house? Which services might homeowners often forget to include in contracts? Thank you for any information!
we are currently calculating the costs for building a basic house.
For us, it is clear that doing work ourselves to “finish it” makes no sense. We are extremely unskilled in craftsmanship, won’t be able to manage the time, and we pay such high rent that it probably wouldn’t be worthwhile if a construction project drags on for months because the self-performed work was overestimated.
The initially quoted house price refers to the turnkey stage. As the homeowners, the following tasks would still need to be completed by us to finish the house:
- Filling and sanding of ceiling element or panel joints to create a surface suitable for wallpapering
- Final treatment of the roof structure with glaze or top coat
- Jointing of gaps between plasterboard surfaces with joint filler
- Floor tiling in the kitchen, utility room, and hallway
- Floor coverings
- Painting the steel structure of the staircase
- General painting and wallpapering of walls and ceilings
(I hope I haven’t forgotten anything here; I am referring to the specifications of the finish level we are targeting.)
We were initially quoted that if we want everything fully completed with no further work done ourselves (move-in ready?), we should add approximately 35,000 euros.
My question is: In your opinion, is this a realistic amount to reach the move-in ready status? We are talking about a single-family house of 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft), pitched roof, no basement. Is 35,000 euros estimated too high, would it make more sense to subcontract these tasks to a company? Or is 35,000 euros possibly far from enough?
What should generally be considered when aiming to build a move-in ready house? Which services might homeowners often forget to include in contracts? Thank you for any information!
Bauexperte schrieb:
Are you sure? You probably mean the roof soffits?
Regards, BauexperteThere is no mention of the roof soffits, and I don’t really know exactly what that is.
The specification under the roof framework section, briefly summarized, states: timber roof framework according to structural engineering, eave overhang dimensions according to the plans, profiled rafter and purlin ends where the wood is exposed, planed eave overhangs, structural design suitable for mounting photovoltaic systems.
Not included is the item: final treatment with environmentally friendly natural-colored glaze or topcoat.
Masipulami schrieb:
Yes, costs can add up quickly.
So far, we have completed the driveway, entrance area, and all the other front parts. Next, we’ll work on the two terraces, a wall, and landscaping the lawn.
Altogether, we are currently at around €30,000 (about $32,000), and surely there will be a few more items to add.We consider the exterior work separately. We understand that this also requires a significant budget. My question about "move-in ready" refers only to the house itself, meaning nothing inside the house needs to be done anymore. The driveway, garden, and so on are a separate financial matter...
They mean the roof overhangs, which are often not included and either charged as an additional service or painted by the homeowner themselves...
Otherwise, there are too many unknown factors...
It is possible to complete it with only about 10,000 (ten thousand) up to this point, but beyond that everything is open...
Otherwise, there are too many unknown factors...
It is possible to complete it with only about 10,000 (ten thousand) up to this point, but beyond that everything is open...
We received a response from our contact person today.
For an additional investment of nearly 15,000 euros, we would get an EFM with a base area of 165 m² (1,776 sq ft) / living area of 152 m² (1,636 sq ft) wallpapered with white textured wallpaper as part of the painting work. Since we are still very inexperienced in this matter, we currently cannot estimate whether this is a good price or if we might get it significantly cheaper by sourcing the materials ourselves and obtaining local quotes.
Regarding complete putty work including concrete ceilings, base coat painting, and eaves painting, the cost for the above-mentioned house size would be 5,297 euros. We are noting this for now and will need to gather more information, including assessments here, to determine whether this is financially reasonable.
We also inquired about flooring. Parquet flooring in the attic (material cost 60 euros per m² (5.6 sq ft), including installation 150 euros per m² (14 sq ft)) would amount to 9,930 euros for 66.2 m² (713 sq ft). This was the offer we received for the parquet, but I strongly suspect that I would not install parquet flooring in a children’s room with small kids. Therefore, this item could probably be obtained much more cheaply. For the ground floor, there is a selection of floor tiles related to the house’s finishing package, with a material cost of 30 euros per m² (2.8 sq ft), including installation 105 euros per m² (9.7 sq ft). We will have to review this during the material selection process and also look at what else might be available for 30 euros per m². For the living room, we would like something nice but still somewhat functional due to two children, their friends, and toys, so a nice wood-look flooring would be important to us.
I have never laid tiles myself, but is 90 euros per m² (8.4 sq ft) for parquet installation or 75 euros per m² (7 sq ft) for standard tile installation a realistic price for labor only? It feels quite high.
For an additional investment of nearly 15,000 euros, we would get an EFM with a base area of 165 m² (1,776 sq ft) / living area of 152 m² (1,636 sq ft) wallpapered with white textured wallpaper as part of the painting work. Since we are still very inexperienced in this matter, we currently cannot estimate whether this is a good price or if we might get it significantly cheaper by sourcing the materials ourselves and obtaining local quotes.
Regarding complete putty work including concrete ceilings, base coat painting, and eaves painting, the cost for the above-mentioned house size would be 5,297 euros. We are noting this for now and will need to gather more information, including assessments here, to determine whether this is financially reasonable.
We also inquired about flooring. Parquet flooring in the attic (material cost 60 euros per m² (5.6 sq ft), including installation 150 euros per m² (14 sq ft)) would amount to 9,930 euros for 66.2 m² (713 sq ft). This was the offer we received for the parquet, but I strongly suspect that I would not install parquet flooring in a children’s room with small kids. Therefore, this item could probably be obtained much more cheaply. For the ground floor, there is a selection of floor tiles related to the house’s finishing package, with a material cost of 30 euros per m² (2.8 sq ft), including installation 105 euros per m² (9.7 sq ft). We will have to review this during the material selection process and also look at what else might be available for 30 euros per m². For the living room, we would like something nice but still somewhat functional due to two children, their friends, and toys, so a nice wood-look flooring would be important to us.
I have never laid tiles myself, but is 90 euros per m² (8.4 sq ft) for parquet installation or 75 euros per m² (7 sq ft) for standard tile installation a realistic price for labor only? It feels quite high.
For a house of the same size, we had to pay 7,500 euros for complete wallpapering and white painting. Another 7,500 euros for installing about 100 sqm (1,076 sq ft) of laminate flooring.
Oh, and tiling the living area, about 60 sqm (645 sq ft), was around 6,500 euros.
Just for comparison.
Oh, and tiling the living area, about 60 sqm (645 sq ft), was around 6,500 euros.
Just for comparison.
Here’s what I suggest:
Call 2-3 painters in your area and ask them for a rough cost estimate for the following: a 160m² (1,722 sq ft) single-story house with a pitched roof, including work on roof overhangs, stair railings, filling and sanding ceilings, wallpapering, and painting walls with white painter’s fleece. Then compare the quotes!
Do the same for tiles in wet and damp rooms. Also, ask them to include skirting boards. The material cost should be the same for each, so ideally you already have a selection regarding ceramic type, size, and pattern. Around 30 euros is average.
This way, you’ll know whether Kern’s estimate is low or high.
Call 2-3 painters in your area and ask them for a rough cost estimate for the following: a 160m² (1,722 sq ft) single-story house with a pitched roof, including work on roof overhangs, stair railings, filling and sanding ceilings, wallpapering, and painting walls with white painter’s fleece. Then compare the quotes!
Do the same for tiles in wet and damp rooms. Also, ask them to include skirting boards. The material cost should be the same for each, so ideally you already have a selection regarding ceramic type, size, and pattern. Around 30 euros is average.
This way, you’ll know whether Kern’s estimate is low or high.
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