Is building in Bavaria still possible for 500k?

Hello everyone,

after a long search, we have the opportunity to purchase a plot near Ingolstadt (540 sqm, purchase price including incidental costs 570k€). Our total budget is a maximum of 1.1 million, minus a small safety buffer in case something goes wrong during construction, so we would have just under 500k€ left for the build.

Over the years, we have significantly lowered our expectations due to the development of land prices (the basement is up for discussion, a living space of about 160 sqm would be the wish, the garage can be replaced by a carport, etc.). Unfortunately, we haven’t found anyone in our circle of acquaintances who builds for less than 3000€/sqm (often significantly more) with rather average equipment (however, all architect-designed houses, no prefabricated houses). We can hardly contribute any work ourselves except for cosmetic things since we have no prior knowledge and friends and family are all desk workers. The prices quoted in the prefabricated house sectors generally range around 450-500k€ from the base plate for a simple execution (so another 30k on top for that, then landscaping and the carport are missing).

Are there any experiences in the forum regarding construction costs in the Ingolstadt area from the recent past? Currently, the impression is solidifying that building in this area is simply no longer affordable for us (there are practically no alternatives either, there are hardly any old houses, even fewer rental houses, and semi-detached houses now also go for 900k€ plus incidental costs).

You can also get prefabricated houses for less than 450,000 euros if you don't want the Villa Tugendhat in the Malibu 2020 version.

You can also get prefabricated houses for less than 450,000 euros if you don't want the Villa Tugendhat in the Malibu 2020 version.

Thank you for the feedback. Is that really the case? We visited a prefabricated house exhibition near Munich, and even the manufacturers I would have considered to be on the cheaper side offered their show homes turnkey from the foundation slab for around 450k€. With Baufritz and similar companies, the prices (with good equipment) approached 700k€.

We are currently still in the shock management phase; I would not have expected to have to start saving at every corner with our total budget (how so many builders in our area do this is a mystery to me).

Well, it depends on exactly where you look / check. If you take, for example, Danwood, you can get the Point 159 (approx. 160 sqm usable area) from about 325 to 350 thousand euros (base price plus architect, upgrades, etc.). Plus the foundation slab, earthworks, and carport, 400 thousand euros as a total price should be quite feasible – of course depending on the plot and soil conditions.

You can also plan relatively individually there, but you have to expect certain restrictions (e.g., only plastic windows are possible). But with moderate planning and without great demands regarding luxury features, even a basement and outdoor facilities could be possible with 500k.

Over the years, we have significantly lowered our expectations due to the development of land prices (basement is up for discussion, a living area of about 160 sqm would be the wish, garage can be replaced by a carport, etc.).

That’s the crux of the matter. Lowering expectations and only “wanting” 160 sqm of living space don’t go together. Build 140 sqm – well planned – and the house will be about €60k cheaper.

That's where the catch lies. Lowering demands and only "wanting" 160 sqm of living space don't go together. Build 140 sqm - well planned for that - and the house will suddenly be €60K cheaper.

That will probably be what it comes down to. The idea still strongly contradicts me for the total price to live in a small hut with plastic windows. That is probably the bitter learning curve that the current circumstances bring with them.