Floor plan draft for a 220m² single-family house

It is not even Cologne. After three years of searching, we gave up in frustration for Cologne. That simply wouldn’t have been possible with our budget. Now we just have a great location outside of Cologne.

Things like controlled residential ventilation, a geothermal heat pump, etc. are already factored in.

Still expensive. But from what I hear, no general contractor and no competent craftsman can currently complain about a lack of orders. So there really won't be much room for negotiation. I am requesting a comparative offer, but I don't expect much potential for savings.

In the end, the whole fun with everything included costs about 1.4 million.

For that much money, I would also expect it to be nice. You don't build an "architect's house" to get a "suboptimal" result.

Apart from the fact that I still believe a clever architect would first have dealt sympathetically with the existing structure and developed two or three renovation proposals. They might not have been "winning designs" right away, but at least would have shown an alternative – both economical and aesthetic.

I just forgot which wise person supposedly said (paraphrased): that in history, more foolishness has failed because of money than for any other reason.

For the money, you could really have something nicer...

My statement might be sobering now, but 1.4 million... sorry, I imagine a dream house for that, not such a compromise bunker.

My tip: throw out the architect, find a new one (find out if you like their style, ask people who have already built with them, find out how they negotiate with the building authorities (very, very important!!!) and have an informational meeting). And do this with 1-3 candidates.

Man, you could build something really awesome for that! But it takes a capable and innovative architect. I can't understand many of your requirements at all (kitchen location, but I'm not the only one), but if that's what you want, a good architect will bring it into a coherent overall concept (and then there won't be just a 1m passage from the kitchen to the dining area, but that's just an aside).

A good architect also has sufficient knowledge of the structural requirements and the finished design will no longer be torn apart by the structural engineer, which is annoying.

Time factor: as I said, it's annoying when it gets delayed, but you spend a lot of money and going into ugly compromises NOW just to get it done faster, I think is the totally wrong approach. You live there longer than 3 years, so take your time planning. You won't regret it.

I see it the same way.

I wouldn't be very willing to compromise on the amount. And as I understand it, you would have to live with some compromises.

Even if it's difficult, I would probably take the path of ending it now and starting a search for a really good architect.

An incredible amount can be realized with that sum.

It's best if you state 1.2 million, not 1.4 million, for the budget estimate, the remaining 200K will be used for unexpected expenses anyway
Be it additional costs or upgrades.

I have an architect contract with the company.

The costs will be charged if I build with them. Otherwise, I can also take the planning elsewhere. But I can’t carry out another architect planning at a different place now. It doesn’t make sense either, because even there, one wouldn’t know if the first positive impression would be confirmed.

I was with several house building companies beforehand. And everywhere, they signaled that the budget was tight and that various compromises had to be made. It’s just the way it is. The construction costs are what they are.

I also visited two architects who also did not signal lower construction costs. Only that there is no fixed-price guarantee there.

We will now make the best of it.

For better drainage planning, there was a thought to swap the bedroom with the bathroom. I like that. Especially since then the master bedroom is separated from the children’s room. I find that perfect. The building will now be slightly reduced. On the left, there is still potential with bathroom, children’s room, kitchen… then it will probably be only a partial basement and no home cinema.

Theoretically, the building could also be shortened from the right. But then the situation downstairs with the cloakroom and guest bathroom would have to be replanned; upstairs the children’s bathroom is already a bit too large anyway; only the utility room would then be a problem, as from my point of view it cannot be made smaller. There still has to be an ironing board in it.

Still need to put in an ironing board.

Will anyone really stand in this chamber and iron?