ᐅ What is a sensible house-building planning process?

Created on: 12 Feb 2017 09:47
E
ehaefner
We have decided to build because existing properties here are sold at very high prices and still require renovation or refurbishment. Unfortunately, none of our family or friends have recent experience in construction, so we are currently a bit overwhelmed with everything. We want to build a turnkey prefabricated house since we are not skilled tradespeople and don’t have enough knowledge to contract the trades separately. We are planning to allocate around 100,000 euros (about 110,000 US dollars) for the land. Is it realistic to expect a turnkey house with a basement and 150-160 square meters (1,615-1,722 square feet), including the kitchen, for 250,000 to 300,000 euros (about 280,000 to 330,000 US dollars)? We are aiming for more than a basic level of finishes, so something at a mid-level standard. Energy efficiency is very important to us, so we are leaning towards a ground-source heat pump with a ventilation system that includes heat recovery, as well as solar or photovoltaic support. In any case, we want to be independent of fossil fuels. Is this feasible within the budget? Overall, we want to keep additional construction-related costs to a maximum of 450,000 euros (around 500,000 US dollars).

What would be the best next steps? We have already selected suitable floor plans. Today we are going to visit the prefabricated house center in Nuremberg. How do we find the right provider? Should we submit our plans to each potential company and request quotes? What about the building specifications? How can we compare the specifications if we don’t have much knowledge? We already have a few catalogs at home, and only one provider has sent us two detailed building specifications and price lists. They seem quite informative but also very difficult to understand for beginners… Are there any recommended checklists we could use to guide us through the process? Oh, and what kind of subsidies or incentives are available?

Thanks in advance!
E
ehaefner
16 Feb 2017 12:35
Thank you for your responses! The plot of land will be purchased only when it fits our house plans, especially regarding the building permit / planning permission. Since we want a high knee wall, nothing is worse than sloping ceilings. The floor plan is now finalized. We are currently gathering quotes from a few providers; our favorite at the moment is EBH, followed by [I]Fingerhut Haus [/I] or Schwörerhaus. Site visits to the plots are still pending. These are the next steps for now. I am slowly getting a better understanding of the scope of construction work and the additional construction costs are becoming clearer as well.
11ant16 Feb 2017 14:22
ehaefner schrieb:
Currently my favorite is EBH, followed by [I]Fingerhut Haus[/I] or Schwörerhaus.

EBH stands out a bit for me, while Fingerhut Haus and Schwörerhaus are stylistically more similar; I usually don’t tell them apart until the third glance. I once lived near a Fingerhut Haus, a solid company from the Westerwald region. I wouldn’t choose them for a designer mansion, but for a traditional family home, in my opinion, they are a very good choice.

From EBH, I see only the Ratio and S product lines as stylistically comparable to Fingerhut Haus and Schwörerhaus.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
E
ehaefner
16 Feb 2017 14:28
EBH has been the most transparent company for me so far. Prices are listed online, even for construction to KfW 40 standard, and the scope of work clearly outlines what is not included. This is something I find lacking with other companies. I want to have a rough idea of whether I will stay within budget or if a provider is too expensive from the start, so I can save time by not scheduling a consultation with them. Also, they offer a house design with a floor plan that exactly matches what we want.
11ant16 Feb 2017 17:21
ehaefner schrieb:
And from the layout, there is a house that has exactly the floor plan we want...

Would you like to share which one?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Y
ypg
16 Feb 2017 18:49
ehaefner schrieb:
My current favorites are EBH and then Fingerhut or Schwörerhaus. Site visits are still pending. These are the next steps for now... I'm gradually starting to understand the scope of work and the additional construction costs are becoming clearer...

Are you sure? I just took a look at EBH... including their scope of work!
ehaefner schrieb:
For me, EBH is simply the most transparent company so far... Prices are listed online, even for the KfW 40 upgrade, and the scope of work clearly specifies what is not included...

I don't see any transparency. The scope of work leads the buyer to believe they are definitely purchasing a KfW 40 house. You really have to look twice.
I'm also surprised by the sanitary products offered.
At least the bathtub and shower are tiled, but the washbasin and toilet are not.
Ouch... this strongly suggests extra charges, especially when you mention this company in the same sentence as Schwörerhaus and Fingerhut.
N
Nordlys
16 Feb 2017 19:48
Yes, take a close look. No groundwork is included in the base price. No floor coverings, not even floor tiles. No underfloor heating. The standard complies with the 2016 energy-saving regulations. It includes a gas heating system. There are significant distance surcharges on the base price if you build outside the Berlin area. Part of it is over 10,000 euros. Yes, you can live with many aspects of the standard specification. But the general contractor prices are not cheap for what is offered.