ᐅ What features did you include in your house, and what did you decide to leave out?

@willWohnen
Just a friendly reminder!

I don’t actually view the staircase as negatively as it might have seemed. I would just do it differently if I had the chance now.

Back to the topic!

What we chose to include:
- A kitchen island in the open-plan kitchen
- No dining table, since the dining area is directly adjacent to the kitchen.

Best regards, torsan

Complete Renovation of a 1962 Building

What we treated ourselves to:
- Removed everything and started fresh
- New insulated roof with many skylights
- New floor-to-ceiling windows
- New condensing oil heating system
- Removed walls to create a more open feel
- Kitchen island
- Lift-and-slide door
- Aluminum front door
- Asymmetric corner bathtub
- Two large floor-to-ceiling showers
- Double vanity
- New open oak staircase with exposed supports, oiled finish
- Network and TV connections everywhere
- Plenty of power outlets

What we had to postpone due to budget constraints but plan to add later:
- Roller shutters (can be retrofitted)
- Stove
- Double carport
- Garden redesign
- New terrace

What we decided to leave out:
- External wall insulation

Hello @Koempy, an old building renovation sounds exciting. So you already have a nicely established plot? That’s great. But I probably wouldn’t have dared to do that. Isn’t an old building renovation much harder to plan, especially when it comes to costs?

Now I also know one more thing we are allowing ourselves – the landscaping in the first year, including everything we need (hedge, fence because of our blind dog, patio, driveway, path, garden shed, lawn, planting). All of this with as little DIY as possible.

@Skaddler: Oh yes, that really is a treat. At least that’s something many of us can’t afford to do right away. By now, I long for it quite a bit. Building a house involves so much independent research, fundamental decisions, running around, and stress... How nice it would be if professionals could expertly help with the garden and then deliver it “finished” (after all, a garden is a living thing). And then finally feel settled, just maintaining and enjoying it.

willWohnen schrieb:
Hello @Koempy, an old building renovation sounds exciting. You already have a nicely mature plot of land? Great. But I probably wouldn’t have dared to do that myself. Isn’t renovating an old building much harder to plan, especially regarding the costs?

Yes, it is definitely more difficult to plan because old buildings often hold surprises. You also have to make compromises. But if everything goes smoothly, the additional costs are only about 10 percent. There is a lot of self-labor involved in the house as well. Today, the screed is being poured.

Oh yes, I almost forgot. We now have underfloor heating throughout the whole house. That was a must for us.