Angular bungalow on 800m² plot - financially feasible?

If the installation is included, it might still be acceptable, but you had written above that it would only be the material.
Gravel-splinter-sand mixture sounds adventurous too. Somehow like "everything that needs to go."
Frost-resistant material, i.e., frost protection, is usually only gravel and is offered in specific grain sizes (16-32, 16-45, etc.)
Regarding the prices, I am quite sure. These are t-prices. I can gladly send you a copy of an invoice. :)
It's not recycling material for me. I also used some as the bottom layer of the terrace substructure. That one is available for less than half of the price I mentioned ;)

I have found that whenever it comes to procuring filling material like gravel, splinter, etc., you get the best price if you look for a quarry in the area, call them, and ask for prices including transport.

But never mind. Sooner or later, they get us :D
They got me too, with the removal of the excavated soil because I had a flaw in my thinking. At first, I considered driving the excavated soil to the landfill myself (technical possibilities available to me). At that time, BU made me an offer of about 14,- / t. Since I had disposed of construction debris before, I remembered paying 12,- / t at delivery. Then I thought, well, you can have the 256t removed by the BU, which profits twice from it anyway because they never actually landfill it but transport it to another construction site and resell it as filling material, saving yourself the work.
That was the flawed thinking, and a call to the local earth material landfill would have saved me a lot of money.
Now, while setting up the garden, I brought 50t of material to the landfill myself, and they charged me not 12,-/t, as I initially assumed, but only 2,-/t because it is sieveable soil that they reprocess back into compost. Well, you never stop learning... :D

Evening everyone,

a lot has happened in the past few weeks, here’s an update:

After much consideration, it’s now decided: Yes, we’re building! [Pause, Applause]

We have (necessarily) adjusted our budget slightly upwards, but we can still handle it comfortably. However, for starters, we want to build just a boring, down-to-earth, solid corner bungalow. The expansion to a palace will come later...

We have already bought the property mentioned at the beginning. And it has turned out: The building expert was right! Additional foundation costs must be expected because a bit more has to be filled in (a total of 90cm) than is usually standard in construction contracts.

We are currently in the decision phase of which builder must put up with us as clients. This will – as far as we are – not a nationwide catalog supplier, nor a franchiser. While we have had (superficial) good talks with such, and forgive me to the relevant colleagues reading here, I just don’t get along with these typical salespeople. Sure, all top quality, customer welfare always first, 17-fold secured, nothing can really go wrong, please sign down here. What, not yet? … but we could at least start with the soil report … also not? … when do you think you will be ready to decide? … wow ... no way!

However, we already have a favorite. An architect + builder who is located in the same village where we want to build. And he is already building a bungalow on a neighboring plot, just like the one we want. The first personal conversation was exactly how I imagine such a thing. And we probably know that construction site better than the owners themselves by now – unfortunately we have not met them in person yet. What we see on the site pleases us – but of course that means nothing! By the way, he already included the additional foundation costs in his first budget offer – he knows the building area. So the contract is almost awarded, gut feeling is right.

However, one last uncertainty remains. As both architect AND builder, he has all the strings in his hands. It would be easy to cover up possible planning errors or sloppiness. Is an independent construction supervisor needed who regularly checks in at the site? And how would that affect our relationship with our builder...?

Or the royal solution: Have the architect do the planning and then go with the plans and select a builder? Expensive...

But that’s more of a side issue. My main headache is currently in the area of KfW/heating/energy. Surprising, isn’t it? :)
Probably more on that in a separate thread at a more suitable place.

Regards, Andreas

Hello Andreas,

However, one last uncertainty remains. As architect AND BT, he has all the strings in his hands. It would be easy to cover up any planning errors or inaccuracies. Is an independent construction supervisor needed who regularly visits the construction site?

Personally, I think external construction supervision is always a good choice everywhere ... and in this, I am also one of those salespeople you can't warm up to :D

And how would that affect the relationship with our BT ...?

If he is who you think he is so far, he will welcome a second pair of eyes and ears. If not, in my opinion, there would be only one viable decision ...

Or the royal solution: have the architect do the planning and then set off with the plans and choose a BT? Expensive...

Why exactly should what become expensive?

Best regards

Hello Building Expert,

I personally think that external construction supervision is always and everywhere a good choice ... and I am also one of those saleswomen you can't warm up to :D

Exceptions prove the rule ;-)

If he is who you have thought he is so far, he will welcome a second pair of eyes and ears

Fortunately, that is exactly what happened. Last week we gave the preliminary award and now want to plan our house in detail with him until a final figure is reached.

During the conversation I openly said that we might want to bring in external construction supervision. Great, he said, that’s exactly what he wants. Not because he wants to shift responsibility, but (literally) because four eyes see more than two. I liked that :).

Why exactly should something become expensive?

Admittedly, that was said a bit baselessly, I have no reliable figures. "Having a house individually planned by an architect" always sounds expensive at first ...

Best regards,
Andreas

Hello everyone,

at this point just a brief interim summary to give interested builders a few key figures:

Our house is nearing completion and we are extremely satisfied! The local builder/architect was awarded the contract, and it was a good decision. He is on site every day and has his craft partners under control. Since construction began on 24.04., there have been maybe 3 or 4 days with no visible progress. The contractually agreed construction period of 5 months will probably be (largely :)) met. So far there has not been a single serious problem.

We had commissioned an independent civil engineer for quality control right from the start. However – and now I will probably get scolded :) – we later cancelled him after the trust relationship with our builder proved to be solid in every respect. However, this is not meant to be a recommendation for other builders; I expressly advise caution!

The costs for the house are as follows:

Winkel bungalow, brick-faced, 4 rooms, 128 sqm living space.
Attic not convertible, but with approx. 25 sqm storage space.
Underfloor heating, gas condensing boiler.
Window rebate ventilation + decentralized fans in bathroom and utility room.
Including floor 40.00 €/sqm and installation.
Including ceiling plastering.
Including satellite system.
Including rainwater drainage (soakaway shaft, etc.).

=> €198,000.00 less 3% discount

Additionally:
- Notary fees, surveying, taxes, etc.
- Kitchen
- Outdoor facilities (carport, garden, paving)
- Bathroom upgrades
- Lighting
- Built-in cupboards, new furniture

Especially the additional costs, which one is responsible for oneself, explode during the construction phase: Maybe the floor after all for 65.00 €/sqm, maybe the nicer built-in spots, since you’re building anyway, then maybe this... and that... etc. Overall, our budget is now at €345,000.00, features upper mid-range, practically without own contribution.

Best regards,
Andreas