Build a small house (wood frame) yourself

Hello everyone,

by now my partner and I are (mentally) on the way to building a very small house ourselves. A proper tiny house would be too small for us, but houses of around 40 to 50 sqm do meet our needs.

There are quite affordable providers here, like woodee and onoxa, which we basically like. On the other hand, you are bound to some floor plans (at least to the exterior dimensions). Therefore, and because we do not really consider the minimum 2000 EUR/sqm to be cheap, we want to design and build such a small house ourselves. Single-story, flat roof or pitched roof (probably better for approval), underfloor heating, so very close to the models of the providers. Although I have never built a wooden frame exterior wall, I have basically done almost everything else before (bricklaying, garage roof, all interior work including electricity and water). Of course, gas and electricity should be connected by a professional.

The biggest question for me is whether it will be approved without special effort, i.e. whether it fits the neighborhood development (we don’t have a plot yet, but it will be in RLP or Hessen and a small village, where there is usually a mix of pre-war buildings, well renovated houses, and new constructions (almost always pitched roofs)), whether you can find an architect who will put his stamp on it for a manageable amount, etc. Do you have any experience and tips, e.g. websites (I have almost only found providers or blogs that look sponsored, and the American blogs do not help with German regulations).
It is initially unimportant whether the house is to be transported. That is not planned.

I am already grateful for any help!

Good morning,

since I went through the mental progression from tiny to mini to semi-detached house,
I had "back then" also informed myself about such things.

(Rolling) Tinyhouses: I once tried living in one for a weekend, but it was just too
small. With 3x8.5m external dimensions (mounted as cargo on the trailer), it might
have fit?

The next size you are aiming for also appealed to me.

There is si-modular in Münster. With the system, you can at least snap together
the shell within a day, like Lego.
Costs were, if I remember correctly, manageable.

But the rest (electricity, building services, windows, etc.) must be selected with
financial consideration. Otherwise, such a thing does not pay off.
A proper foundation is usually not necessary. Screw anchors like for garden sheds
should be sufficient. A permit would probably be possible, depending on the building area.
So choose an economical heating system (mini pellet stove + instantaneous water heater
or boiler?, alternatively mini heat pump like the Panasonic "Geisha"), install cheap
windows yourself, prepare the electrical work yourself (lay cables, install switches, and
especially reduce the quantity).
Cover the roof and install photovoltaic (if heat pump) yourself.
There are tiny house forums where you can also get oriented about do-it-yourself work.
Often creative ideas can be found there since a small house has quite different
requirements in terms of technology (for example, a tiny house can be "quickly" heated
up with a 2000 watt hairdryer).

Otherwise, such a thing does not pay off.

Such a "thing" never pays off, as the costs per square meter of living space are extremely high (due to the small living area). You also have to comply with all legal requirements, including the Energy Saving Ordinance.

I am fairly sure that the Energy Saving Ordinance 2016 applies up to 50m² (exception for small houses). Even TinyHouse manufacturers can manage this (albeit with difficulty).

Thank you very much for the experience report! A semi-detached house is incredibly expensive here, so nothing under 200,000 EUR unrenovated and with a tiny plot.

Basically, I have nothing against complying with the energy saving ordinance, unless it’s a price killer. I have taken a look at the wood construction of woodee. Nothing really looks expensive now, concerning walls, ceiling, and floor (beams, glass wool in between, foil, OSB, drywall, roof just vapor barrier or want bitumen shingles). Electric underfloor heating with triple-glazed windows and so much sunlight should be enough (instead of gas). Windows are a negative surprise price-wise if they are sliding windows (space-saving). Otherwise, my goal is to stay under 1,000 EUR/sqm (without furniture) but with bathroom and kitchen.

I find the exception for up to 50m² for the energy saving ordinance interesting. Does it really only depend on area and not on volume? Then I could make the ceiling somewhat higher and build only 50m² instead of 70m² and instead make storage space, sleeping area at 2m height.

Hi,
my (140m²) semi-detached house will cost around 300K (excluding land)
But I don’t want to be the richest person in the cemetery

Well, you will have to comply with the Energy Saving Ordinance if you want to obtain a building permit.
That is the minimum standard and therefore a prerequisite. Otherwise, it will only be a fun apartment (holiday home) but not suitable as a primary residence.

For the Energy Saving Ordinance 2016 up to 50m² you had to research yourself. Google?
I only read it back then and didn’t verify further because my (life) planning had changed significantly.

1000€ per m² is very, very ambitious at that size. I don’t exclude it.
But it will certainly only work with a lot of own work, meticulous planning & also
giving up a certain amount of comfort.

Sliding windows are then surely not an option, unless you “shoot” a cheap element on eBay ([Kleinanzeigen]) and install it yourself.

If the BP allows bitumen shingles, why not?

I would actually also ask a traditional timber construction company about the infill panels ([Das Ständerwerk]) + roof structure without covering.
The bare shell construction itself is quite inexpensive.

Or buy a cheap large garden shed for 20-25k and insulate it yourself. Energy Saving Ordinance proof must then be done by someone (calculate beforehand if it is possible)
Building application or simplified procedure also still needs someone to take responsibility (architect).

According to HOAI this won’t work either as it is too expensive (not too expensive, but not priced appropriately for the object), make a flat rate or hourly wage (offer with maximum scope beforehand).

Plan a lot of time for very precise planning AND a lot of own work.

Good luck!