Of course, we did a review. For the main bathroom, we just couldn’t warm up to the standard option. Especially not when there are such beautiful things on display. And I’m really strict about stuff like that.
Then there was something on top of the roof shingles (we just hadn’t noticed), and we also didn’t realize that a walk-in shower on ground level would be significantly more expensive. We ended up spending "only" 4k more.
Anyway, I’m very curious about it. I think we’ll end up more or less breaking even, but we’ll see.
Sockets: we ended up with 80. And I was really stingy. Don’t forget to ask about the network and TV/satellite sockets. For us, those were only partially included.
Network will be added on top, I would rather leave out TV and satellite. The future is called streaming. I’ve already had good experiences with that, not so much with satellite.
Entrance: We really, really wanted to have a nice shelter through which we could get from the car dry-footed into the house. In the end, we reduced it to a recessed main entrance and still have a 2 m path from the carport to the entrance. What can I say … that’s completely enough! I can stand there comfortably in the dry and wait for the cat divers to come trotting in the evening.
Hallway: We only have one child so far. But I already love our spacious hallway. We didn’t even know we missed it. It worked for years without it. But here I can easily push the child, including stroller, inside and dismantle it. The little one can safely walk 2 m before I have to scold him to take off the dirty shoes. Guess how practical this will be with 3 kids plus groceries. Also, you’d rather receive guests in the hallway than have to guide them through the carport or a side entrance.
We’re probably a bit peculiar. But take a look at the photo of our current carport/garage. We do everything “outside” there, for years, and we think it’s great. Even colleagues envy us for it. Honestly, this is the first time in the forum it’s been spoken ill of, and we just can’t understand why...
Yes, there should be enough space for the wardrobe in the hallway. But since we have to restrict ourselves anyway, we do it there because 1) you can outsource a lot and 2) a large hallway takes up space from the other rooms.
I’m happy to agree not to build a hallway like the original design (which I fully understand, and it’s also a waste of space). But I really don’t want more than what’s necessary there.
Third children’s room: Don’t stress so much about planning that room now. Rather put a guest room in a way that it can be converted into a children’s room. Then you won’t have a guest room anymore, but so what? You’re building the house for yourself, not for the guests. If child number 3 doesn’t come, it stays a guest room. But you remain flexible in family planning.
On 10x10m, you just have to make compromises.
That would be a compromise we would make. However, in this case, we would probably omit the guest room downstairs and enlarge the living room plus utility room. We find about 13 m² per room upstairs sufficient, plus we need the “maybe children’s room” also as a storage room upstairs. That is what it was originally intended for; a third child is not at all decided yet.
Utility room: It’s really very tight. We have 8 sqm and it’s enough for the ventilation system, heat pump, washing machine and dryer, connections and a spacious cat litter box. Oh, and a shoe rack. But that’s it. I’m glad about my 4 sqm storage room.
Shoes belong in the carport!
No, just kidding, we are currently enlarging the utility room in the new design. That should then fit.
Ventilation system: Do you really want to build without one? How will you ventilate then? You won’t open the windows every 2 hours, will you? Are you building to any KfW standard?
We’re only building according to the Energy Saving Ordinance 2016.
Want and can... I would like to have a central ventilation system if anything. But that costs a fortune (and it won’t pay off in my lifetime). We ventilate regularly, although we obviously cannot come close to controlled residential ventilation.
Stairs: Don’t underestimate the importance of those few steps. You visit them several times a day. Sometimes more, sometimes less loaded.
As I said: our current stairs are only 1.50 m deep and absolutely walkable. The converted attic is accessed by an identical and equally unproblematic staircase. The cellar stairs are really narrow; I definitely wouldn’t want that in the house. But otherwise? Fits perfectly.
Suggestion: Would it be an idea to place the stairs to the upper floor in the living area and design it very openly upwards, basically making a gallery?
That was once an option, but we didn’t want only one door between the bedrooms and the living room.
I would also consider a driveway possible.
I admit, I don’t know anything about that at all. Is there an overview of the different road types and required distances?