Is new construction under 400k€ still actually possible?

But I can also understand that people want to put something "decent" in place. And they do like a cozy underfloor heating. And a large, floor-to-ceiling shower, a stylish freestanding bathtub... "after all, you only build once." In the end, every extra wish and extra-

Something decent... property may be something decent, preferably a house with some garden for self-discovery, for retirement provision, blah blah blah...
But you really have to differentiate between technical standards, i.e. what is contemporary, and nice-to-have features.
And for the latter, you really have to ask yourself whether you need everything that is printed in glossy magazines and staged for the photographer over several days.
The freestanding tub takes up relatively a lot of space, costs at least twice as much to purchase, and is annoying to clean later. With the panoramic window behind it, we are in the five-figure range (without the square meters), but it is never used because it's uncomfortable.
Many lose touch with the reality of the product, hence also with the whole house.

For me, many "standard" things here are already luxury. When I say standard, I mean a basic house, rectangular floor plan, one full floor plus an attic, two skylights added. Simple gas heating, radiators. Plastic windows of normal size plus a terrace door. Normal shower tray, normal bathtub, two toilets. But I can also understand wanting to have "something decent." And of course preferring cozy underfloor heating. And a large, floor-to-ceiling shower, a stylish freestanding bathtub... "after all, you only build once." In the end, however, every extra wish and extra square meter delays paying off the mortgage. Honestly, I am very happy that I am not facing the decision to build a house - quite honestly, I probably couldn’t stick to just the minimal standard for everything either.

In the last 2 years that I have been writing here, I have not read anyone who is building this standard until today. Yes, that would be standard for me as well.

Funny discussion.

One side discusses how cheap it can be, the other what the standard is, and others what you typically come to for total costs.

Have you ever noticed that these are different discussions?

It’s totally absurd to calculate with total sums where one includes 50,000 euros for the plot including development, and the other 250,000 euros.

Every starting situation is different. Just for comparison... in our area, every second new building has blinds. A garage is rather standard, and if I say we will probably get a carport, I get questioning looks. The 2,000€/sqm often used here, for example, I consider absolutely correct as a calculation basis. Depending on the region and definition of standard, it will be 200€ more or less per sqm. Those who build particularly simple (I don’t mean that negatively) and manage with a lot of sweat equity and whatnot may be below the 2,000. But if they inform themselves, they will find that out. But don’t forget that between “built last year” and “have the commitment for a plot” there can be about 3 years of price increases. Which are currently probably around 15%. So 1,800 EUR will anyway become 2,000 EUR. I believe one does no “new homebuyer” any favors here by making them believe it’s no problem to manage your little house with 160 sqm on a total budget of 350,000.

Exactly ... once the sums become clear, then the other party also begins to deal with the details. And as a guide, one cannot refer often enough to and . And to everyone, given the current situation it is certainly always very sensible if someone does not just write, "built for under 250,000," but then adds, "built my house with 150 sqm, 2 floors, in the year 20xx for xxxx euros." Because prices from 2016 can no longer be compared with those from 2019 and the expected prices of 2020. Therefore, the flat estimate currently assumes 2000 euros/sqm. I recall that about 2 years ago or so it was still 1800 euros/sqm.

Which front door can still be opened with a normal key?

How else? I only know front doors with a normal key. But we also don’t get anthracite-colored windows or electric shutters... for that, despite 2 full floors and 150 sqm living space, we still remain well below 400k... that shows you are quite right.

How else? I only know front doors with a regular key But we also don't get anthracite-colored windows or electric shutters...but despite 2 full stories and 150 sqm living space, we still remain well under 400k...that shows that you are quite right

Aren't you currently planning the arrangement of the bathroom? How far along are you?

Not that I want to say you won’t manage it. I would just be cautious in the "planning phase" with statements about how much it will end up costing +\- 10,000€ That can also go wrong.