Cost & Bungalow vs. 2-Story

Hello everyone!

My wife and I are in the fortunate position of owning a building plot and having modest equity of €60,000, so we are currently considering becoming homeowners.
Question 1:
Since the building plot is relatively large, we are not forced to build upwards (the development plan is also not a problem), which has now led us to the idea of constructing a U-shaped bungalow with a courtyard facing south. Now, the statements on the internet about the construction costs of a bungalow are extremely varied... Some claim it is cheaper, others say more expensive than a conventional two-story building. I don't quite understand why there should be such a big difference, since the enclosed area is basically the same and scaffolding does not cost a fortune, does it???
Question 2:
With all the approximate figures like about €2,000 per sqm of enclosed area, the question arises: What exactly is included in that? Architect? Additional costs? Basement? Slab? Interior finishing? Heating?
We have used many approximation calculators and come up with very different numbers with identical/similar inputs! The plan currently is a solid U-shaped bungalow (16x13 meters external dimensions), made of T9 bricks, the courtyard is facing south and should contain A LOT of glass on this side, a complete (insulated) basement, all work done by local craftsmen, no DIY, many extras (shutters, natural stone base, etc.), with an architect... the only cost saving would be that we get tiles at wholesale equity. Please make an estimate! The results from the calculators ranged (although many parameters were asked) between €300,000 and €550,000 -.- I might as well save the calculator...
Thank you for any help and I hope this was okay for my first post... let the "use the search engine" bashing begin!

Regards

Stefan

Hello Stefan,

Question 1:
Since the building plot is relatively large, we are not forced to build upwards (the development plan is also not a problem), which has now given us the idea to build a U-shaped bungalow with a courtyard facing south. Now, the statements on the internet about the construction costs of a bungalow are extremely different... Some claim it is cheaper, others say more expensive than a conventional 2-story building. I don’t really understand why there should be such a big difference here at all, since the enclosed area is ultimately the same and scaffolding doesn’t cost a fortune, right???

A bungalow has a larger base slab, more masonry distributed on one level, and a not exactly small roof area ;)

Question 2:
With all the approximate figures like about €2,000 per sqm of enclosed area, the question arises for me: What is actually included in that? Architect? Additional costs? Basement? Base slab? Interior finishing? Heating?

Here in the Rhineland, I calculate around €1,500/sqm/living space for a medium plastered house as a KfW 70 efficiency house. Included are classic architecture with pitched roof without bay windows, dormers or cross-gables, costs for architect and structural engineer, soil survey, all trades except painting and flooring. The typical incidental construction costs always come on top.

We have used many approximation calculators and come up with very different numbers with identical/similar specifications! At the moment, a massive U-shaped bungalow is planned (16x13 meters external dimensions), made of T9 bricks, the courtyard is oriented to the south and should contain A LOT of glass on this side, complete (insulated) basement, all by local craftsmen, no own contribution, lots of frills (external venetian blinds, natural stone base, etc.), with an architect... the only cost reduction would be that we get tiles at wholesale cost :) Then please estimate! The results from the calculators ranged (although many key points were queried) between €300,000 and €550,000 -.- I can save myself the calculator...

Some time ago I prepared an offer for a comparable bungalow; dimensions 17.00 x 13.00 m, pitched roof with pitch 12° and no knee wall, the covered courtyard is accessible via 2 large front doors. Costs "without" bigger frills as well as without painting and flooring work EUR 380,000 including partial basement under the front longitudinal axis.

Based on what you describe, I think your dreams will realistically end around EUR 550,000; plus typical incidental construction costs.

Rhenish regards