Is the house becoming too big?

Hello dear forum community,

construction will start in spring. Financing is secured and the plot fits, but I’m a bit afraid that the house will be too big...

A bit of general information: The plot has a size of about 800sqm, according to the development plan we are only allowed to build 1.5 floors with a gable roof with a 45-50 degree pitch. That gives the house a living area of 160sqm (approx. 90 on the ground floor and 70 on the upper floor). So far that would be perfect for me. But here’s the thing... We have a double garage next door and since we have 2 cars and 2 motorcycles, it’s actually half a garage more. It is 9m wide in the end and according to the development plan we have to put a gable roof on this garage. As a result, we then have over 30sqm more living space from the attic... The attic will be accessible from the upper floor... I just really don’t know right now if it’s all getting too big. The house has a total volume of 1200 cubic meters. (don’t know how to write here to the power of three)

We will move in as three people and there are two more children planned...

What do you think? Should we perhaps leave out one garage or should I ask the municipality if we are allowed to put a flat roof on the garage after all? Then we would be the only ones in the village, so I rather don’t think that would be approved... But who knows??

Our architect estimated the house turnkey at 320,000. This does not include any DIY work yet. But we will take care of the interior finishing as well as the electrical work ourselves...
Is 320 well estimated? How much do you save if you leave out one garage, is that really a lot or hardly noticeable...
My husband is not that worried about it (he doesn’t have to clean after all) just kidding, he says that when three children are running around the house will be full but until then???

Hmm... No contract signed yet so we can still change the plans...

Best regards and thanks for your answers

320,000 EURO including garage and basement for 160sqm or 190sqm?

Sounds cheap.

Hello,

Construction starts in spring. Financing is in place and the plot fits, but I’m a little afraid that the house will be too big...
The house has a living area of 160sqm (about 90 on the ground floor and 70 on the upper floor). That would be perfect for me.

The single-family house should cost around EUR 260k including the slab foundation and as a Kfw 70 efficiency house; if you want to build near a big city – unfortunately more. Bavaria is always a bit more expensive than the rest of the world :-(

But here’s the thing... We have a double garage next door and since we have 2 cars and 2 motorcycles, it’s basically half a garage more. It’s 9m wide in the end and we have to put a pitched roof on this garage (zoning plan). Consequently, we then have more than 30sqm additional living space from the attic... The attic will be accessible from the upper floor...

Hmm – that will probably add a good EUR 60k more.

Our architect estimated turnkey costs for the house at 320,000. This does not include own work. But we will do the interior finishing and the electrical work ourselves... Is 320 a good estimate?

The architect seems to be a good man! Yes, that number fits well, matches my figures.

With electrical work in EL you won’t save much; material costs money too. But are you sure you want to do all the interior finishing in EL yourselves? Do you have that much expertise and above all that much time?

What do you save if you leave out a garage, is it really a lot or hardly noticeable...
My husband doesn’t see it as a big deal (he doesn’t have to clean either ) just kidding, he says when three kids are running around, the house is full but until then???

The garage is a big chunk, I roughly estimated its value.

As I see it, you are hoping here for arguments against the size of the planned single-family house. I think you will get plenty of input here – but: in what size the house will ultimately be planned and built, you and your husband alone have to decide. If the budget allows the size of this house, that’s good for now.

I sense/read between the lines, however, that you are not happy with this. Then suggest a compromise to your husband: garage okay, but without access from the upper floor. Leave the roof over the garage open upwards and use the space gained to hang bicycles high up. Another alternative: when the children are older, create a retreat for the kids to party in with family effort.

Best regards

Thanks already for the answers...

So it shouldn't be about the money, of course it would be nice if we only had to finance maybe 20 or 30k less but if we decide on this size then the money aspect is okay...

Well, most of the interior work we will do ourselves. We'll have plastering and screed done but the floors, doors, stairs with wood cladding, painting, etc. we will do ourselves.

With the attic it's planned that we'll have the screed with underfloor heating done and then the room will remain unused for now... Maybe one day we'll have to take in my or his mom or the kids might want a small apartment there, etc... Then the room will be fully finished but currently not yet...

Here in Bavaria the big Heim und Handwerk fair is coming soon and we'll get a few offers regarding construction companies, etc...
For example, we will excavate the basement ourselves, the machines and knowledge are available, etc...

But I'm already curious about your further answers...

Hello! We are currently in the initial phase of planning, so I don't have much experience yet. But I also think that if the money is available, I would build it like that. With 3 children, I think you are then happy about every bit of space, maybe later also for taking care of your own parents. But also don't forget: the children will eventually leave the house again, and then you shouldn't feel lost in a house that is too big.
Best regards and maybe see you soon at [Heim und Handwerk]!
Motte