Basement planning prefab house - outsource? What to consider?

Of course, a solid house must comply with the energy saving ordinance and can also be built to be KFW compliant.

How do the houses compare price-wise to prefabricated timber frame houses?

According to our experience, both solid builders were cheaper than the prefab builders - and that with greater flexibility.

Is value placed on KfW in solid construction as well?

Absolutely. We commissioned a KFW55 house and that's what we got. KFW55 because we built with a basement and that fits the concept of relatively open living. With everything exceeding KFW55, it becomes very difficult with basement insulation etc.

According to our experience, both solid builders were cheaper than the prefabricated builders - and that with greater flexibility. But yes. We commissioned a KFW55 house and also got it. KFW55, because we built with a basement and that in the concept of relatively open living. It becomes very difficult with everything exceeding KFW55, especially with basement insulation, etc.

Sounds very promising and seems like a regional builder is indeed a good choice. We will definitely look into that now in order to be able to weigh our options. The question I have is: How important is KfW40 anyway? Besides the subsidy, I don’t really see much added value? Did you even consider aiming for a KfW house? It is difficult to achieve with a residential basement (KfW40), but according to the prefabricated building company, it is quite feasible with a utility basement. Or is this KfW and KfW40+ concept, the whole concept with extremely good insulation, simply overrated? The timber frame prefabricated houses really decorate themselves with that!

I am somehow still extremely undecided and dissatisfied with how things are going so far with the prefabricated house companies.

Because of the reasons you mentioned, you simply do not build with a nationwide prefabricated house builder, but with a regional solid house builder, e.g. a general contractor.

Sounds very promising and it sounds like a regional construction company might actually be a good choice.

Absolutely. I generally recommend always looking into alternatives to prefabricated house companies. Because the initial talks mostly take place with salespeople who generate their income from the commissions paid. We have probably experienced almost the entire spectrum of what is possible there.

The question I ask myself: How important is KfW40 anyway?

You can notice KfW40 in the energy costs, of course. And with that, a KfW40 house also has a better environmental balance compared to a KfW55 house.

With a residential basement, this is difficult to achieve (KfW 40), but with a usable basement according to the prefabricated building company it is achievable.

Yes, that’s probably how you have to see it. And since everything from the basement to the roof is open for us, everything above KfW55 would have meant: significantly stronger basement insulation, thermal doors to the basement rooms, modifications in the controlled residential ventilation system ...

Apart from the subsidy, I don't really have any great added value, do I?

Let's put it this way: the higher the subsidy, the greater my investment to meet the requirements.