Is the construction project feasible or are we taking on more than we can handle?

Hello, my ex-husband and I built with Town & Country. Add at least 60-70k to the list price for upgrades or changes to the building services, shutters, etc. (Our house was larger than what you are planning, but prices have increased since then) With the land, you are therefore at a minimum around 400k. Emphasis on minimum. Without outdoor facilities, carport/garage, etc.

It must be said that upgrades are not a law of nature. We also paid more and upgraded in some places. But everything within the overall budget that we set for ourselves beforehand. For that, we had to save strictly in other areas. For example, our first electrical upgrade appointment: "Yes, that makes sense." "And definitely prepare for an electric car." "PV should eventually go on the roof, so we can already run cables." "Outdoor socket in the front for the outdoor lighting." "Better two power outlets for the entrance lights, so it looks symmetrical." "The heating knobs in switch color look nicer," and so on. In the end, the offer was 10,000 EUR. After 8 offers, we were at -1,000 EUR. So we received a credit from our construction company. And this runs through all trades: plumbing, tiles, stairs, carpentry, front door, clinker bricks, joints for the clinker bricks, ... You just have to say no and buy the vanity unit later from Ikea instead of paying 800 EUR during the upgrade appointment at the specialist store.

It should be noted that itemizations are not a law of nature.

What is especially important is to take the wishes into account already during the offer phase and to find a construction company whose standard is close to the desired one. Additional wishes should be included right away.
By signing, you effectively create a monopoly for the general contractor or their subcontractors, which of course often reflects in the price. Therefore, the 15 sockets in the bedroom and the electric shutters with smart home should be itemized right in the offer, so that you can still compare with other providers and possibly choose a cheaper one.

Sure, not all patterning is necessary. However, my statement was by no means about luxury. When I showed things here in the house pictures thread back then, I was practically pitied for this social housing standard or asked why anyone would put up with that ;-)

I talked about this with my house seller at the topping-out ceremony two months ago. He said our 152m² townhouse from Town & Country would now cost around 270,000 EUR with our features after the 2022 price increase. 36.5cm Ytong, underfloor heating, RC2 windows...

Additional construction costs 80,000, so you end up at 350,000.

Sure, that doesn’t include a 120cm furniture washbasin, KNX, blinds, and all that...

I can only agree regarding the sample selection.
Just spoke with the drywall installer on Friday, who told me, "Well, if you had ordered that shower shelf from me, it would have been 50 EUR or 60 gross, with an invoice! Through your developer, you probably pay 100 now..."

For example, I took all fixtures in the bathroom as standard... for a thermostat from Vigour, the contractor wants a 150 EUR surcharge. For that, I get one from Grohe and still sell the Vigour standard for 20 EUR.

I’d rather live in a quickly paid-off, sparsely equipped house than still be working at 70 to pay off my palace...

The often mentioned 3,000 EUR/m² here is really high-end equipment. Even including additional construction costs, you can build significantly cheaper.

It’s the same as with a wedding: it can only cost 5,000 EUR, it doesn’t have to be 50,000.

I prefer living in a quickly paid-off, sparsely equipped house rather than working at 70 to pay off my palace...

I wouldn't sign off on that. With Town & Country, the risk of shoddy work is higher than, for example, with regionally well-known general contractors. That's why I can counterargue: "I prefer to pay 2-5 years longer, but in return, I get a quality product with a higher likelihood of no construction defects. The resale value of the property is also higher."

So you can see it both ways.

Regarding the wedding, I agree with you. My Polish 3-day wedding for 60 people cost less than €5,000. And the German guests were surprised that there was no buffet, but instead new food appeared on the table every hour. Also, the over 120 bottles of homemade vodka were easily gone by the third day :cool: