Financing framework for new construction on own land, 3 children, civil servant A13, Hamburg

Please do not read more into the amounts and remain factual!

I probably let myself be influenced a bit by the perceived atmosphere of the thread. I am sincerely sorry about that!, especially since I myself wish for exactly this objectivity. And I really did not include the kitchen. I apologize!

Your list is missing the kitchen. Now, Wohn-Ess may mentally include a kitchen for you, but one must also note that a living room for joint activities with five or more people (guests) should have at least about 15 sqm minimum in order to have enough space for playing and TV together. A dining table 2 meters long with seating units takes up about 16 sqm including walking areas, and then the mentioned 35 sqm are already used up. I see a utility kitchen for 5 people starting at approximately 12 sqm. That is simply missing.

I understand. I have heard that a few times already. But there are also many families (just not the ones building) who manage with 8 sqm kitchens. Games are played at the kitchen table, and a small cozy corner with a sofa and armchair can also be used for the whole family plus two guests by turning dining chairs around. The only big requirement is the family dining table. I do not want to say that I am certain 35 sqm is enough. But at first, I see a phenomenon of "this is absolutely necessary," although it is not necessarily needed.

Of course, priorities can also be set differently in the house, and the roughly 140 sqm can be distributed differently. If then living, dining, and kitchen are larger and something else smaller, that would certainly fit with our idea of family and guests. But I do not yet see how that should work. We are looking at some turnkey houses and their associated prices.

[So, now the tab will be closed.]

I still do not understand where the 600€ donations are going. Jehovah's Witnesses or another sect? Aren't decent children's rooms worth that to you?

You may see it that way. I also write that we manage, but if I had the choice, I would prefer a bit more space, apparently you do too when you say that one more room would be nice. By the way, I am convinced that the more children you have, the longer a house can really be filled. I see it with my parents, who have kept our children's rooms more or less functional for many years, because when several children regularly come home during their studies, often with partners at some point, they still need a proper place to stay overnight and some storage space and maybe even a table to continue working on their homework or similar. And later they come with partners and children, gladly all at the same time for birthdays, Christmas, or just to see each other if the distances are great. Then siblings rarely meet at each other's homes, but everyone meets together at the parents' place. Of course, you don't have to keep several rooms for decades, but at least for a while and partly, so later the children's room can become an office with a sofa bed or similar, but it certainly won't stand empty any time soon.

As I said, that is very individual. I see it with my parents-in-law. They have a very nice house with about 200 m2 of living space. That was really great with children and teenagers. The children live 400 km away and the two of them live alone in the house. As they get older, both around 60, I notice that the house and the garden become a burden for them. Of course, it's nice when we come together there once a year and everyone has enough space. But do you need to maintain and keep so much space for ten days a year? I don't think so, but fortunately everyone can decide that for themselves.

As I said, that is very individual. I see it with my parents-in-law. They have a very nice house with about 200 m2 of living space. That was really great with children and teenagers. The children live 400 km away and the two of them live alone in the house. With increasing age, both around 60, I notice that the house and the garden are becoming a burden for them. Of course, it is nice when we get together there once a year and everyone has enough space. But do you have to keep and maintain so much space for ten days a year? I don’t think so, but fortunately everyone can decide that for themselves.

Whereas 200 sqm is really much more than the approximately 130 sqm discussed here. But if the question is whether rather 130 or rather 150 sqm, then with 3 children I would clearly go for 150 sqm, also in the long term.

But there are also many families (just not those who build) who manage with an 8sqm kitchen. Games are played at the kitchen table and a small cozy corner with a sofa and armchair can also be used for the whole family plus two guests by turning around dining chairs.

Yes, described it similarly: You have to make do with the existing situation. And yes, even 3 people can live on 60sqm. But for the "have to make do", building a house is too expensive. No one has extra money to build a house and waste valuable land and money on something that is already too cramped just by reading about it. This "small cozy corner with a sofa and armchair" should also accommodate 5 people for 5 housemates. You don’t do that with one armchair and a sofa 2 meters wide. And there should be some distance to the TV as well. By the way, because of the "have to make do" idea, people come up with the idea to build a house to gain more comfort through space and room. If you sugarcoat cramped spaces and the "can make do", I would consider whether to build at all. Nobody has to build just because they inherited a building plot. You could also sell it and pay higher rent from the proceeds. Because not everyone is born to own their own home. But now we are here in a house building forum..

(...) How the scale tips towards work-life balance or investment opportunities in the house is a life decision that, in my opinion, should be left to everyone themselves, without being subject to criticism because of it.

It is a forum and I have my opinion. If someone doesn't like it, they can hit ignore and everyone is happy.