House construction - Procedure

Hello We want to build a house in a rural area (in my home village). The plot is available, there is currently an old house which we are allowed to demolish. Now I would like to ask how one generally approaches the matter. We have some ideas about how the house should look in terms of the floor plan (approx. 150 m² on 2 full floors). So one has to say that we looked at the prefab house providers and liked their floor plans and layouts, we saved some. I prefer a solid house rather than a wooden house or timber frame construction. We can carry out some trades ourselves like electrical and plumbing. Roofing would also be possible, my uncle has a carpentry business. Other trades we are not good at at all... laying tiles, for example. We would also leave heating to professionals (air heat pump with photovoltaics because no gas connection is available - or possibly trench collectors for geothermal energy if possible). My approach now would be that since we want to build solid, to consult one or more architects with references in the area and not to build a prefab house. We find that working with an architect is more flexible regarding the choice of work we do ourselves and what must be subcontracted. (As well as the choice of equipment in the areas of heating, cooling, ventilation.) For the construction we still want to involve an external expert (from the Bauherreschutzbund or similar) who checks from time to time that everything is in order, since you cannot have knowledge of everything. We also want to have the construction contract checked before signing to ensure everything is legally in order. Is this a good approach to make as few mistakes as possible when building a house? We are completely at the beginning so to speak except that a developed plot with water and electricity is available. Thank you for your feedback

Is there no development plan? Then at least §34, the insertion requirement, applies. This means it should fit in with the surrounding buildings. If there are only bungalows around, having two full floors will be difficult...

It's best if you find an architect whose style you like (based on reference projects) and with whom you also get along personally. Sure, many contractors and general contractors offer in-house architects, but based on my own experience, I wouldn’t do that anymore and would always first look for an independent architect. They will also help you clarify how you are allowed to build there, what must be considered, etc.

Then you decide to what extent they should/can accompany you during construction. There are independent architects who also take over construction management. This makes an external expert unnecessary. However, such architectural supervision is also expensive. An architect who accompanies everything from planning through approval and execution costs about 15% of the construction sum.

Usually, such an architect also knows enough trades. Doing work yourself is great, but don’t underestimate the time effort! I wouldn’t assume that you will do all the electrical, plumbing, and carpentry work yourself. Unless it doesn’t matter whether you move in within one or two years. But even personal contribution is added to the construction sum of the house and is a benchmark for the architect’s fees (my brother does a lot himself but keeps a meticulous construction diary for it).

Thank you very much .. The street is a dead end ... Next to it is my parents' house and the neighbor's also has 3 floors as a two-family house. We already believe that it fits this way. As architects, we would also choose an independent one and not one from a building company. We are confident about the electrical work with 3 electricians in the family. It is not supposed to be a smart home, just small things like electric blinds. No home bus. But we are still far from that point. I hope that the architect will then also take us a little "by the hand" and tell us what is feasible and what is not.

If you want to do entire trades yourselves, a schedule would first be sensible. Who can work how many hours/days/weeks on the construction site and when? If someone besides you is supposed to be involved in the self-performed work, have you already received really serious firm commitments from these helpers?

Good point. We're not that far yet.. As I said, just at the very beginning. There is already a lot to consider - I can tell.

Thank you

The approach architect + external companies + trades in own labor + construction supervision (if necessary by the architect) initially seems reasonable. With prefabricated house providers, you are likely to have a hard time regarding own labor and reasonable interfaces/warranty, etc.