Assessment "Fixed Price" Detached Single-Family House (Solid)

Hi, in the Böblingen district the offered price per square meter is actually in the "mid-price range". You won’t find cheaper. I agree with my predecessors; the biggest saving potential is the house size (m2!). Also, the expected additional purchase costs when buying from a developer should not be underestimated! Property transfer tax and notary fees are 7% of the total purchase price including the land! Realtor not included

Hello everyone,

thank you for your feedback.
We are (unfortunately) aware that the construct with land purchase and house construction from a single source is not optimal from a tax perspective. That is why our pain threshold has always been related to the total costs. Calculated down to the house costs, about €80k would have to be cut there. This is also known to the builder.

The €658k does not include incidental construction costs. However, the basement is included.

The original offer was for 170 m² at €510k. We wanted a bit more space. About 180 m² would probably also suffice. One main point was a guest room, which we originally could not accommodate cleverly neither on the ground floor nor the upper floor. That’s how the attic floor came about, which is now de facto a guest room + shower/toilet + stairs/hallway + vacancy/fitness area. The rooftop terrace naturally has its charm, but it also comes at a cost...
My dream up there was later to install a sauna, use the shower (from the guest room) there, and use the rooftop terrace to cool down.

One approach would now be to completely do without the attic floor.
Fitness can certainly be accommodated in the basement. Guest and shower/toilet on the ground floor if you enlarge the area there a bit (40 m² removed from the attic floor and 20 m² added below so that you end up with 180 m²). Sauna also later in the basement, but then there would initially be no shower and no cooling option directly available without going one floor up.

But maybe the sauna was simply a luxury dream after all, which I now have to/should give up for the sake of reality.

The second mini-terrace would have actually been unnecessary for us in a concept with a large rooftop terrace. Completely forgoing a terrace on the upper floor/attic floor is certainly possible but painful. Especially in everyday life with growing kids.

Another approach would be to save elsewhere somehow. But that will hardly achieve the necessary savings. Besides: Because of a single room + hallway + rooftop terrace, an additional floor (attic floor) naturally makes no sense.
But maybe in the second round with the architect there will now be a clever and more cost-efficient idea.

Regarding the white tank: we were told that the soil survey would only be carried out later and that we should only plan for it if the surveyor recommends it. In terms of costs/thought process, it is included in our budget so that there are no (further) additional costs. Masoned? Hm, good question ;) I read something about frost-free, shuttered foundations with an 18 cm floor slab and 60 mm insulation under the floor slab + edge insulation, as well as precast hollow core concrete wall elements.

An appointment with an expert regarding the construction service description is still outstanding.

Completely foregoing a terrace on the upper floor/attic is certainly possible, but it hurts. Especially when living with growing kids.

NO!!! It doesn’t hurt. 95% of all terraces that are not on the ground floor and lead to the garden are not used. Why would they be, when I have a garden?

You can certainly accommodate fitness in the basement.

But maybe the sauna was just a luxury dream after all

One main point was a guest room,

So not just a "simple" house. You already have luxury expectations, which are reflected in the price.

About 180 m² would probably also be sufficient.

That is already luxury for 4 people (plus a full basement)

==> Your ideas are very individual and costly. Whether it’s area or room layout. You have to go through with the budget or consider if a normal house would do.

NO!!! It doesn't hurt. 95% of all terraces that are not on the ground floor and lead into the garden are not used. Why would they be, if I have a garden.

Most likely you are right – also in our case. Even if now, through the detour of costs, I am getting my eyes opened... Thanks for the hint!

So not just a "simple" little house. You already have luxury ideas that are reflected in the price. That is already luxury for 4 people (plus a full basement) ==> Your ideas are very individual and costly. Regardless of area or room layout. You have to go through with the wallet or consider whether a normal house would do.

From the shape, the house is initially quite simply designed: No angled corners, all rectangular floor plans. But the area argument is of course true. Is that already luxury? Maybe I am too naive. Currently, the room layout is as follows: Ground floor: Entrance, wardrobe, WC, living/dining/kitchen Upper floor: Master bedroom, bathroom, 2x children's rooms + this mini terrace, which we will 99.9% probably cancel. Attic: Shower/WC, guest, vacancy/fitness/sauna area + roof terrace If you exclude the terraces and the individual room for fitness etc., honestly, I don't see any luxury. Also, I would not describe the room sizes as small, but not huge either... but somewhere the 200 m² have to come from. So you don't seem entirely wrong. I think, with your unanimous opinion a) price not unrealistic for current planning b) saving potentials especially through living area you have already given a clear direction. Many thanks for that! Garage price is okay as well? Due to rising wood prices, a pitched roof instead of a flat roof probably won't have a positive cost effect, right? Best regards Jenny

No, it hasn't. That doesn't sound like a normal single-family house but rather like a villa. I only know very few people who build in this price range. If there are already budget concerns now, then I believe the basic concept is not right. The garden and kitchen will certainly also together cost nearly 100k. And with such demands, the garden will not be designed only after a few years :)

Garden and kitchen will certainly also consume nearly 100k together. And with such demands, the garden will not be laid out only after several years :)

Outdoor area and kitchen are of course indeed additional cost drivers. They are also taken into account in the overall budget planning. Currently, however, the house itself is what concerns us the most, as it represents the largest share.

That does not sound like a normal single-family house but like a villa.

I do not want to justify myself or question your assessments – I hope this was clear in my other answers! – but I am extremely grateful for your suggestions. They are also very clear and all point in the same direction. That naturally also makes it easier for me to accept it. I wouldn’t have believed my husband on this one for now ;)

On what exactly do you base this statement ("villa")? On the living area? Or beyond that on other points (sauna, fitness?) or even on the rooms listed above? I just want to understand better for aligning my dream with reality :)