ᐅ Evaluating Different Options in Single-Family Home Construction
Created on: 1 Nov 2023 11:05
S
SchnubbihhS
Schnubbihh1 Nov 2023 11:05Hello dear community,
We are currently planning the construction of our single-family home and I would like to clarify as many details as possible and make decisions about the equipment before signing the contract.
Here are some of my thoughts; I would appreciate your opinions on each point. I welcome contrasting views (with appropriate reasoning).
(1) Shutter material
Decision: Plastic slats
Reason: We will have white windows, so the extra cost for aluminum shutters is not worthwhile (for better color options)
(2) Shutters vs. Venetian blinds on the ground floor
Decision: Shutters
Reason: Venetian blinds are vulnerable to wind (Northern Germany) and somewhat more expensive; with some automation of the shutters, hopefully we won’t sit in the dark during summer anyway
(3) Heating
Decision: Air-to-water heat pump
Reason: Best price/performance ratio
(4) Ventilation
Decision: Central ventilation system
Reason: Less noise and better efficiency, but higher costs (purchase and maintenance)
(5) Internal walls
Decision: Masonry made of calcium silicate bricks (instead of aerated concrete or drywall)
Reason: Better sound insulation desired (5-person household); additional costs are not significant
(6) Interior doors (sound insulation)
Decision: Upgrade with better sound insulation
Reason: Improved sound insulation by about 3 dB (honeycomb core instead of hollow core) costs approximately €35 (about $35) more per door leaf. (According to general contractor)
(7) Interior door (clear height)
Decision: Clear height 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Reason: I am 2 m tall (6 ft 7 in) and have three sons who won’t be short either; additional cost for 2.10 m clear height in a standard interior door is about €65 (about $65) each. (According to general contractor)
(8) Staircase
Decision: Reinforced concrete staircase instead of wood
Reason: Better sound insulation; closed staircase with storage space underneath
(9) Window security standard
Decision: Not decided yet (RC1 vs. RC2N vs. better)
Reason: According to the general contractor, there are no major differences between RC1 and RC2N; extra costs are not worthwhile
(10) Patio door
Decision: Swing door instead of lift-and-slide door
Reason: Price difference too high; risk of moisture ingress with lift-and-slide door
(11) “Outsourcing trades”
Decision: Exclude certain trades from the general contractor contract to save costs, contract local providers (not self-performed work!)
Reason: Trades like sanitary equipment, flooring, and painting can be obtained significantly cheaper from a local supplier
(12) Bathtub
Decision: No bathtub in the upper floor bathroom, but prepare connections for possible retrofitting and for washing machine use
Reason: We are not fans of bathtubs and want to save costs; however, we want to prepare in case we change our minds or for a higher resale value
(13) Electrical and home automation
Decision: Still quite open
Reason: Would like to do something but solutions quickly become too expensive
(14) TV cable connection
Decision: Still open, possibly omit completely
Reason: We watch a lot of TV over the internet; maybe costs can be saved here (?); is a TV connection necessary in every room anymore?
(15) Second sink in the utility room
Decision: Still open, weighing costs and benefits
Reason: Would be a nice feature for the kids’ dirty shoes or cleaning fish (I am an angler)
(16) Second exterior door from the carport to the utility room
Decision: Still open
Reason: Would be a nice feature to bring less dirt into the hallway (kids, groceries, drinks) and to get dry from the car to the house and vice versa; however, the two doors are only a few meters apart — is this really useful?
We are currently planning the construction of our single-family home and I would like to clarify as many details as possible and make decisions about the equipment before signing the contract.
Here are some of my thoughts; I would appreciate your opinions on each point. I welcome contrasting views (with appropriate reasoning).
(1) Shutter material
Decision: Plastic slats
Reason: We will have white windows, so the extra cost for aluminum shutters is not worthwhile (for better color options)
(2) Shutters vs. Venetian blinds on the ground floor
Decision: Shutters
Reason: Venetian blinds are vulnerable to wind (Northern Germany) and somewhat more expensive; with some automation of the shutters, hopefully we won’t sit in the dark during summer anyway
(3) Heating
Decision: Air-to-water heat pump
Reason: Best price/performance ratio
(4) Ventilation
Decision: Central ventilation system
Reason: Less noise and better efficiency, but higher costs (purchase and maintenance)
(5) Internal walls
Decision: Masonry made of calcium silicate bricks (instead of aerated concrete or drywall)
Reason: Better sound insulation desired (5-person household); additional costs are not significant
(6) Interior doors (sound insulation)
Decision: Upgrade with better sound insulation
Reason: Improved sound insulation by about 3 dB (honeycomb core instead of hollow core) costs approximately €35 (about $35) more per door leaf. (According to general contractor)
(7) Interior door (clear height)
Decision: Clear height 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Reason: I am 2 m tall (6 ft 7 in) and have three sons who won’t be short either; additional cost for 2.10 m clear height in a standard interior door is about €65 (about $65) each. (According to general contractor)
(8) Staircase
Decision: Reinforced concrete staircase instead of wood
Reason: Better sound insulation; closed staircase with storage space underneath
(9) Window security standard
Decision: Not decided yet (RC1 vs. RC2N vs. better)
Reason: According to the general contractor, there are no major differences between RC1 and RC2N; extra costs are not worthwhile
(10) Patio door
Decision: Swing door instead of lift-and-slide door
Reason: Price difference too high; risk of moisture ingress with lift-and-slide door
(11) “Outsourcing trades”
Decision: Exclude certain trades from the general contractor contract to save costs, contract local providers (not self-performed work!)
Reason: Trades like sanitary equipment, flooring, and painting can be obtained significantly cheaper from a local supplier
(12) Bathtub
Decision: No bathtub in the upper floor bathroom, but prepare connections for possible retrofitting and for washing machine use
Reason: We are not fans of bathtubs and want to save costs; however, we want to prepare in case we change our minds or for a higher resale value
(13) Electrical and home automation
Decision: Still quite open
Reason: Would like to do something but solutions quickly become too expensive
(14) TV cable connection
Decision: Still open, possibly omit completely
Reason: We watch a lot of TV over the internet; maybe costs can be saved here (?); is a TV connection necessary in every room anymore?
(15) Second sink in the utility room
Decision: Still open, weighing costs and benefits
Reason: Would be a nice feature for the kids’ dirty shoes or cleaning fish (I am an angler)
(16) Second exterior door from the carport to the utility room
Decision: Still open
Reason: Would be a nice feature to bring less dirt into the hallway (kids, groceries, drinks) and to get dry from the car to the house and vice versa; however, the two doors are only a few meters apart — is this really useful?
R
RotorMotor1 Nov 2023 11:16I agree with many points.
Otherwise;
2) I would find it uncomfortable without external venetian blinds. In my opinion, roller shutters only work if the architecture and/or landscaping are designed so that hardly any direct sunlight enters in summer.
6) I don’t think it’s effective, since a centralized mechanical ventilation system requires openings anyway—either above or below the doors.
14) We don’t miss having a TV cable.
15) Why isn’t it possible to use a sink here?
16) It’s better to plan the entrance properly than to have two entrances next to each other.
Otherwise;
2) I would find it uncomfortable without external venetian blinds. In my opinion, roller shutters only work if the architecture and/or landscaping are designed so that hardly any direct sunlight enters in summer.
6) I don’t think it’s effective, since a centralized mechanical ventilation system requires openings anyway—either above or below the doors.
14) We don’t miss having a TV cable.
15) Why isn’t it possible to use a sink here?
16) It’s better to plan the entrance properly than to have two entrances next to each other.
vonBYnachSH1 Nov 2023 11:29Regarding (16): definitely do it, that was the best decision ever
On the topic of controlled residential ventilation/doors, it is possible to achieve airtightness, but then each room must have both supply and exhaust air, and no overflow areas should be planned. This quickly becomes more expensive and can also cause installation challenges with the air ducts.
K
KarstenausNRW1 Nov 2023 12:48Trade-offs mainly for cost reasons. I find that okay.
1. Plastic roller shutter slats warp much more in the sun than aluminum. Aluminum is usually insulated as well – thermal protection. The color of the windows plays as big a role in choosing the roller shutter slat material as the brand of a car. Please avoid dark-colored roller shutter slats; light gray or similar always looks good and is less prone to warping.
2. Roller shutters vs. venetian blinds in my opinion is just a matter of taste and budget.
3. Central controlled residential ventilation ==> thumbs up.
4. Interior walls made of sand-lime brick: good for sound insulation. However, drywall construction can provide even better results.
5. The soundproofing option you chose is basically the same as the builder’s standard. If anything, go fully solid. Apart from that, I personally wonder when and why doors actually need to be closed, or what purpose the soundproofing serves. In my experience, practically all doors remain open most of the time. At most, the kids sometimes want some peace. A home office would be a valid reason, but then a door with proper soundproofing is needed. It was mentioned that air transfer via the frame or a larger gap under the door is necessary. Doing that will undermine the desired soundproofing.
6. Tall interior doors ==> great. But please don’t combine them with rooms that are only 2.30m (7 ft 7 in) high. That looks awkward...
7. Window security standards: in my opinion, too much thought is spent on this. Breaking or prying open windows is outdated. If protection is needed, at least RC2 – with appropriate glazing – or even RC3 at critical points; otherwise, RC1N is sufficient (especially on upper floors/attics).
8. Home automation ==> look into Shelly. Very affordable solution for many automation tasks. It can’t replace KNX, but for the “average automator” it’s a great solution that actually works well (e.g. in combination with iO-Broker).
12. I have never missed a bathtub. Wrong, for babies it might have been nice. Prefer a large, great shower. Pre-installation is pointless because if you retrofit later, you’ll probably have to tear up half the bathroom anyway.
13. Taking trades out of the general contractor contract ==> can save money initially. But keep in mind, this means you’ll have several contacts/companies to coordinate yourself. Painters/tilers/parquet layers are usually trades you do yourself or arrange separately anyway (turnkey also always means floors and walls are not done ==> just for context if you ever read a house offer from a builder).
14. I would have the cabling installed. If you get an internet contract via cable, the connection is often free. Having the TV connection in place doesn’t mean you have to use it for that. I like to say “better to have it than not.” I’d definitely take the connection if it comes at no extra cost. TV connections in every room are hardly necessary anymore. You can stream most content over the network. My three kids watch exactly 0% linear TV – only YouTube, TikTok, Disney+, etc.
15.&16. Nice to have. If it fits the budget, go for it. The second sink in the utility room can be done yourself. If there are connections for the washing machine or similar, you can do this as a DIY project (e.g. IKEA kitchen units as furnishings for the room).
1. Plastic roller shutter slats warp much more in the sun than aluminum. Aluminum is usually insulated as well – thermal protection. The color of the windows plays as big a role in choosing the roller shutter slat material as the brand of a car. Please avoid dark-colored roller shutter slats; light gray or similar always looks good and is less prone to warping.
2. Roller shutters vs. venetian blinds in my opinion is just a matter of taste and budget.
3. Central controlled residential ventilation ==> thumbs up.
4. Interior walls made of sand-lime brick: good for sound insulation. However, drywall construction can provide even better results.
5. The soundproofing option you chose is basically the same as the builder’s standard. If anything, go fully solid. Apart from that, I personally wonder when and why doors actually need to be closed, or what purpose the soundproofing serves. In my experience, practically all doors remain open most of the time. At most, the kids sometimes want some peace. A home office would be a valid reason, but then a door with proper soundproofing is needed. It was mentioned that air transfer via the frame or a larger gap under the door is necessary. Doing that will undermine the desired soundproofing.
6. Tall interior doors ==> great. But please don’t combine them with rooms that are only 2.30m (7 ft 7 in) high. That looks awkward...
7. Window security standards: in my opinion, too much thought is spent on this. Breaking or prying open windows is outdated. If protection is needed, at least RC2 – with appropriate glazing – or even RC3 at critical points; otherwise, RC1N is sufficient (especially on upper floors/attics).
8. Home automation ==> look into Shelly. Very affordable solution for many automation tasks. It can’t replace KNX, but for the “average automator” it’s a great solution that actually works well (e.g. in combination with iO-Broker).
12. I have never missed a bathtub. Wrong, for babies it might have been nice. Prefer a large, great shower. Pre-installation is pointless because if you retrofit later, you’ll probably have to tear up half the bathroom anyway.
13. Taking trades out of the general contractor contract ==> can save money initially. But keep in mind, this means you’ll have several contacts/companies to coordinate yourself. Painters/tilers/parquet layers are usually trades you do yourself or arrange separately anyway (turnkey also always means floors and walls are not done ==> just for context if you ever read a house offer from a builder).
14. I would have the cabling installed. If you get an internet contract via cable, the connection is often free. Having the TV connection in place doesn’t mean you have to use it for that. I like to say “better to have it than not.” I’d definitely take the connection if it comes at no extra cost. TV connections in every room are hardly necessary anymore. You can stream most content over the network. My three kids watch exactly 0% linear TV – only YouTube, TikTok, Disney+, etc.
15.&16. Nice to have. If it fits the budget, go for it. The second sink in the utility room can be done yourself. If there are connections for the washing machine or similar, you can do this as a DIY project (e.g. IKEA kitchen units as furnishings for the room).
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