Hire a company or plan the entire construction process yourself?

Hi, I would like to build a house with my girlfriend in 1-2 years and at that time we will have about €25,000 in equity. I want to approach the construction as follows: ask the mayors of the surrounding municipalities about plots of land, buy a plot, have the house planned by an architect, hire companies myself with my own construction supervisor, and build the house with friends (have it built). My question is whether it makes sense to take it into your own hands or if it is better to have everything done by a construction company? And does anyone have an idea if and how much you would save?

Of course, you can save a lot of money with your own work, but friends don't work for free either - especially if you only expect corresponding services in return - and it is also difficult to keep enough helpers motivated over a long construction period. Because depending on the size of the house and what is to be done yourself, easily 1500 hours are required.

Surely the friends don't do it for free either, I am aware of that. But for example with the cellar – you can do the excavation yourself, the masonry work of course then by professionals, that way you should be able to save a lot.

Hello Stefan, you’re not seriously suggesting that the buddies should dig out the basement with spades and shovels, are you?

Regards Thommi

Hi,

I would suggest a mix, whatever you or your friends can do yourselves, go ahead and do it. But some things like heating or electrical work should be done by a professional. Especially because of the warranty, even if you might have someone who knows about it.

See you then