Building a Single-Family Home - Many Questions About the Surroundings: Notary, Development, etc.

Dear house building forum,

we are planning to build a single-family house with a prefab house builder. We are already quite far along with our ideas and have offers on the basis of which we can decide. Always including the foundation slab.

Now many questions arise for us regarding the surroundings and the procedure is not clear to us:

1. The building plot still needs to be divided. At the moment it belongs to my parents' property, from which 450 sqm should be separated and gifted to me. What steps need to be taken here? I am particularly thinking of surveying and notary... and what costs are to be expected for a gift?

2. Adjacent to the plot is a new development area. It is about 80 cm higher than our plot. We assume that we should carry out a leveling here. Since we are building without an architect, I wonder who can give a binding statement on this? What kind of company do we need for the execution and how exactly can costs be calculated here?

3. Related to question 2: Who can provide information on the total costs for earthworks? Disposal is also a significant part here.

4. The plot is not yet developed. From the plot to the street it is about 45 meters, which run over my parents’ property. The driveway to the plot would also run there. Who can provide information about the development costs? I have heard that utility providers only provide a certain distance and the rest must be done by another company? Can it be the same one as for questions 2 and 3?

5. Surveying: There are location plans for the current plot, but which plans are needed so that the companies can start their work accordingly? Can a surveyor help here and provide information?

6. Geologist: Is a geological report always required for new buildings nowadays or is this a requirement that I can read up somewhere?

With all these questions, I have the feeling that prefab house providers cannot really help. They basically place the house on a prepared plot, but until then there are all these question marks and probably you will find many more question marks that I haven't even thought of yet.

I look forward to your answers and thank you very much in advance for your input!

Best regards VICOMA

1. Notary and surveyor provide information. 2. Building authority. Who should answer this for you here? 3. Get an offer from the civil engineer. 4. Municipal utilities/providers/civil engineer. 5. Yes, surveyor. 6. It all depends, for deep drilling for geothermal energy definitely mandatory.

1. The building plot

I assume that the developability is clarified. Is there a preliminary building enquiry? Is there a legally binding (§30 Building Code) or being prepared (§33 Building Code) development plan, or can it be built according to §34 Building Code?

What steps need to be taken here?

Once the location of the house is fixed, I would commission a surveying office with the division and go to the notary after cadastral transfer. You can also go to the notary first – which is safer for the seller but somewhat more complicated with the notary contract – so not recommended here.

We assume that we should carry out an adjustment here.

Why? It only costs a lot of money. Those at the higher level must ensure that no harm from their property befalls yours.

Since we are building without an architect

Well, you do need someone authorized to prepare building documents. They should also answer one or two questions for their money.

I heard that the utility providers only provide a certain distance

You will probably have to contact the local provider. Here, it is up to 50m. You can choose: all-inclusive up to the HAR (house connection room) or with own contribution, meaning prepare everything yourself and the provider lays the lines in the trench up to the HAR.

Can it be the same as for questions 2 and 3?

Depends on the company. Normally, a civil engineer offers all the mentioned services.

Although there are site plans for the current plot

Hardly, as it still has to be formed.

but which plans are needed

A site plan for the building application according to
Procedural regulation to the State Building Code - LBOVVO §4

Can a surveyor help here and provide information?

Yes. Since you need sovereign (division, building survey) and non-sovereign (site plan, staking out) surveying services, a price comparison is worthwhile, as possible discounts may vary.

Normally, the prefab house manufacturers advise the builders about the future steps such as the utility lines, provided they are familiar with the regional regulations (a Bavarian prefab house builder doesn't necessarily know how the Hamburg providers do it). But you probably haven't signed a contract with a company yet, have you? Once that has happened, you will have a construction manager and advisor who also takes care of your questions regarding the property. At least, that's how it should be, so that they become more binding. However, it is often better to get two opinions :)