Cost planning - core renovation of farmhouse / country house

I was also very impressed with the general contractor solution we had for this house. Except for minor things, everything really went smoothly here, and what annoys me afterwards are at most things we decided ourselves. But I suspect you won’t find a "one-stop shop" provider for a complex renovation like this.

There are also renovation companies that offer everything from a single source and act like a general contractor. There are regular general contractors who also do renovations. It costs accordingly, and at least in our case, the companies are very booked up. But they do exist.

Size alone does not have to be the solution. We have just under 1500 sqm and if our neighbor were loud, we would hear it the same way.

We rather hear the neighbors two houses down, which would correspond to about 1500 sqm of land. We hear our other neighbors through the sound almost from far across. But then we only hear them. Not others.

Still, now in winter I hardly notice anything at all.

Kati once mentioned that it even bothers her in the bathroom.
First look for a property that fits before controlled residential ventilation is already routed through the ducts here. That somehow leads to nothing. Every house or property is different. One is torn down, for another “only” the roof needs to be redone, maybe it is raised, etc. And always keep in mind: even creaking old wood can make you nervous. The farmers often have the radio on their tractors too :cool:

Daughter is riding on a resettler farm, it is not quiet there. Just the number of cars driving on the field paths so that Waldi can get some fresh air or fewer altitude meters have to be covered when running with the stick ducks.

If you are looking for something, go at different times.

And listen to the surroundings. We live down in the valley, in the house behind us, uphill there are 1 or 2 balconies that sound as if they are standing on our terrace. Since the barn 3 houses further was removed, we are live at every party uphill on the street. 1500 sqm doesn't help either.

Just don’t know if you will find one that meets your expectations. Everything that lies outside with us are agricultural properties or building sins from the 60s in the form of holiday cabins that may be renovated but not expanded. You can’t manage without a car and children need a mom taxi or anti-helicopter parents so they become independent quickly.

You are now perceiving all these ambient noises in the cool autumn with closed windows to a disturbing extent?

Yes. 100%...
I just came out of a full bath which I had to abort because the neighbor thinks he has to sweep his paving stones with some kind of Stihl motorized rotary brush, no idea what he’s doing but that thing makes a hell of a noise.

It’s not just this one time. It’s simply the abundance with which all these disturbances occur, from various sides.
The people around me own motorized devices I didn’t even know existed until today.

I also live in a fairly densely populated area, it’s not a new development, but I do have a few neighbors who really like to tinker.
I am no exception myself.
Nevertheless, now in winter I hardly notice anything. If one of the huge tractors with a massive trailer drives by, you can easily notice that, also the siren of the ambulance is audible.
If the neighbor is grinding, I might hear it too, if I listen very carefully. But so much that it’s disturbing indoors?
Maybe your house is really just not optimal acoustically, I really can’t imagine it.

Maybe my idea of what is disturbing simply differs from yours. ;)
I hear music coming in from outside and find it disturbing, through closed windows and headphone cups, which my husband can’t perceive at all without headphones. People are different, as is the sensitivity of their hearing.
But I think the motorized paving brush (what kind of thing is that anyway?!) probably annoyed him too. :D

By the way, it’s also very quiet in the basement, I don’t even notice if a bomb explodes next door. Maybe that would also be something for you, study and wellness bathroom in the basement.

We are in northern Germany, without a basement. Adding a basement here would have been extremely expensive.

The size alone doesn’t have to be the solution. We have almost 1500 sqm and if our neighbor were loud, we would hear it just the same. I do think it can also be smaller; you need the environment that suits you; I would just look at “everything” that appeals to me, at least the listings and visit once ......
Therefore, I wouldn’t limit myself with too many other parameters. It’s like choosing a partner... it usually turns out very different than you thought beforehand... very different :D. Maybe it’s something you can extend, there are thousands of ways to live nicely.

With smaller plots, I’m afraid again because you have no influence on what happens around you. Only if we really own enough land can we ensure it stays quiet. Neighbors can also sell or new people can move in, etc.
I saw a property that I liked, for example, it’s on 1500 m2 and the location is okay (I thought). If you imagine the plot, there is a small creek on the south side, a lot of garden and distance to the next plot on the left side, on the north side the road connection (small town, little traffic), and no direct neighbor opposite, there is a small forest there. Only on the right is the neighbor relatively close, but still not as close as here. And between the two houses are many large, old trees and hedges.
That would be conceivable, although the one “close” neighbor would scare me again.
More sensible would probably be to wait until I really find something in a truly isolated location.

I don’t really have anything against half-timbered houses or an old-fashioned layout. I actually find half-timbering and exposed beams very beautiful / cozy. Of course, you have to pay attention to ceiling height and window dimensions before buying.
I would also have nothing against a new build again, provided the plot is suitable.

And always remember: even creaking old wood can make you nervous. The farmers often have the radio on their tractors :cool:

We have a new building with creaking wood. :D Our wooden staircase creaks going up and down, the second step from the top regularly wakes my child up. O.o

Hopefully tractors just pass by and then are gone. The area we tend to move to also has more forest and fewer fields around it.

Have you ever thought about getting custom ear protection made at the [Hörgeräteakustiker]? It might not be a permanent solution, but at least it would allow you to enjoy times like swimming or similar activities a bit more.