Good evening everyone,
My husband and I are currently considering whether to start building a new house in 2015 or 2016, and I have been reading a lot here to get a better understanding of the process.
The problem is that most people here already have a rough or clear idea of what their desired house will look like... we still don’t really have that yet.
What I’m actually more interested in is: what exactly are the major cost factors in building a house?
Bay window? Special roof design? Or to put it another way: where can I save money?
Our plot of land is already owned through inheritance, 550 m² (5920 ft²), with a building area of 10 m x 13 m (33 ft x 43 ft). It is already serviced, with utility connections on the property. Fence, shrubs, plants, trees, and hedges are also present since it is an old garden plot. The driveway is already paved.
But what should we build on it? That’s the big question here. Basically, we would like to live on one level on the ground floor, and have the children’s small space upstairs—two kids’ rooms, a heating room, and a small bathroom.
I can hardly go to an architect and ask for 10 different drafts... So it would make more sense if I already had a rough idea beforehand.
So, which trades or work areas cause new construction to become expensive?
Best regards,
Anja
My husband and I are currently considering whether to start building a new house in 2015 or 2016, and I have been reading a lot here to get a better understanding of the process.
The problem is that most people here already have a rough or clear idea of what their desired house will look like... we still don’t really have that yet.
What I’m actually more interested in is: what exactly are the major cost factors in building a house?
Bay window? Special roof design? Or to put it another way: where can I save money?
Our plot of land is already owned through inheritance, 550 m² (5920 ft²), with a building area of 10 m x 13 m (33 ft x 43 ft). It is already serviced, with utility connections on the property. Fence, shrubs, plants, trees, and hedges are also present since it is an old garden plot. The driveway is already paved.
But what should we build on it? That’s the big question here. Basically, we would like to live on one level on the ground floor, and have the children’s small space upstairs—two kids’ rooms, a heating room, and a small bathroom.
I can hardly go to an architect and ask for 10 different drafts... So it would make more sense if I already had a rough idea beforehand.
So, which trades or work areas cause new construction to become expensive?
Best regards,
Anja
B
BauProjekt1415 May 2014 08:28I was just thinking the same...
That’s true, this is more of a negative example of affordable construction.
For me, it’s mainly about the roof shape, which I consider relatively interesting and cost-effective. The high knee wall creates extra space, allowing you to avoid expensive skylights because windows can be installed in the knee wall on the eaves side. However, this turns the attic into a full storey, which is not permitted by every development plan or zoning regulation. It should, in any case, be more economical than other solutions, such as dormers, which are meant to create space in the attic.
For me, it’s mainly about the roof shape, which I consider relatively interesting and cost-effective. The high knee wall creates extra space, allowing you to avoid expensive skylights because windows can be installed in the knee wall on the eaves side. However, this turns the attic into a full storey, which is not permitted by every development plan or zoning regulation. It should, in any case, be more economical than other solutions, such as dormers, which are meant to create space in the attic.
B
Bauexperte15 May 2014 08:54Good morning Anja,
If the conditions are right, why wait? I would take advantage of the low interest rates while you can; they won’t stay that low forever.
The things you don’t have on your radar or that are often sugar-coated. For example, the typical additional building costs of around 35,000 euros (about 38,500 USD), plus costs for painting and flooring, plus landscaping, plus garage costs, plus a reserve fund.
After the new build is finished, most of that probably won’t remain.
You already have pretty concrete ideas.
Keep in mind that even two bathrooms will increase the price. It’s not so much the small features, like a walk-in shower, that raise the final cost, but the total of many small things, similar to the additional building costs.
You should first talk with your bank, an independent mortgage broker, and an insurance company; the latter currently offer good terms. Only when you know your budget for sure can you decide how much money you really want to commit to the house build and under what monthly load.
And – price drivers are signatures on so-called cheap offers. Because still applies: really cheap often ends up being really expensive in the end.
Best regards, Bauexperte
Neuland schrieb:
My husband and I are currently considering whether to start a new build in 2015 or 2016, and I am reading here diligently to get a feel for it.
If the conditions are right, why wait? I would take advantage of the low interest rates while you can; they won’t stay that low forever.
Neuland schrieb:
What actually interests me more is, what are the major cost factors in building a house?
The things you don’t have on your radar or that are often sugar-coated. For example, the typical additional building costs of around 35,000 euros (about 38,500 USD), plus costs for painting and flooring, plus landscaping, plus garage costs, plus a reserve fund.
Neuland schrieb:
Fence and shrubs, plants, trees, hedge also present, since it is an old garden plot. Driveway already paved.
After the new build is finished, most of that probably won’t remain.
Neuland schrieb:
But what are we going to build on it? That is the big question here. Basically, we would like to live on one level on the ground floor, and the children get a small space upstairs, basically two children’s rooms, a heating room, and a small bathroom.
You already have pretty concrete ideas.
Keep in mind that even two bathrooms will increase the price. It’s not so much the small features, like a walk-in shower, that raise the final cost, but the total of many small things, similar to the additional building costs.
You should first talk with your bank, an independent mortgage broker, and an insurance company; the latter currently offer good terms. Only when you know your budget for sure can you decide how much money you really want to commit to the house build and under what monthly load.
And – price drivers are signatures on so-called cheap offers. Because still applies: really cheap often ends up being really expensive in the end.
Best regards, Bauexperte
D
Doc.Schnaggls15 May 2014 11:08Hello Anja,
If I were in your position, I would proceed as follows:
- Write down a list of all your wishes for the new home
- Add existing information about the plot of land
- Then give this list to a few selected construction companies and/or architects and ask for a non-binding quote.
You will be surprised by the different approaches you will receive.
As already mentioned, it’s not only big extras like a conservatory, bay window, or large glass surfaces that can increase the house price.
“Invisible” things such as a basement built as a “white or black tank” (waterproofing methods), necessary ground replacement, or a “special” heating system (geothermal, heat pump, etc.) can also consume a significant amount of money.
Then there are also “small things” like tiles (special sizes / porcelain stoneware / installation method), the aforementioned walk-in tiled shower with a rain showerhead, the corner bathtub, and especially the electrical work (control systems, extra sockets, recessed spotlights, speaker wiring) that can add up quite heavily.
You have an exciting time ahead—enjoy it.
By the way, I also share the opinion of the building expert—why wait any longer if the basic conditions are set?
Best regards,
Dirk
If I were in your position, I would proceed as follows:
- Write down a list of all your wishes for the new home
- Add existing information about the plot of land
- Then give this list to a few selected construction companies and/or architects and ask for a non-binding quote.
You will be surprised by the different approaches you will receive.
As already mentioned, it’s not only big extras like a conservatory, bay window, or large glass surfaces that can increase the house price.
“Invisible” things such as a basement built as a “white or black tank” (waterproofing methods), necessary ground replacement, or a “special” heating system (geothermal, heat pump, etc.) can also consume a significant amount of money.
Then there are also “small things” like tiles (special sizes / porcelain stoneware / installation method), the aforementioned walk-in tiled shower with a rain showerhead, the corner bathtub, and especially the electrical work (control systems, extra sockets, recessed spotlights, speaker wiring) that can add up quite heavily.
You have an exciting time ahead—enjoy it.
By the way, I also share the opinion of the building expert—why wait any longer if the basic conditions are set?
Best regards,
Dirk
. - Write down a detailed list of all your wishes for the new home
- Add all available information about the plot of land
- Then share this list with a few selected construction companies and/or architects and ask for a non-binding quote.
You will be surprised by the different approaches you receive back. That’s exactly what we’ll do, thanks!
We have a couple of friends who built their house 1.5 years ago, and now the construction company that built theirs is finishing six more houses in their development. We’re following that and will then request a non-binding quote there. (And probably drop dead from it)
Definitely nothing will happen this year! Everything needs to mature calmly.
Our firm decisions are:
No basement, no conservatory, no bay window.
What I really still lack is a feel for floor plans.
Most of them I just can’t visualize.
I actually think our current ground floor plan isn’t bad, though you’ll probably find it awful.
But once the time comes, I’ll bravely post the floor plan here.
Best regards
Anja
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