Living in workshop / garages

Thank you already for your suggestions. Of course, we have already considered some of the ideas.

My husband's business is a quiet business, meaning that in the end we do not produce more noise emissions than a family without a business (our previous neighbors will gladly confirm this). We have our eye on a large plot of land on the outskirts of a village and have good contacts with the local administration and the building authority. In addition, I would be the builder and owner (because my husband is fully liable as a sole proprietor) and I can rent out the floors and rooms to whoever I want. Right?

I have also already thought about the resale value (if we move into a retirement home in 30-35 years). If we were to install all water and electrical connections in the workshop/garage on the ground floor now, then it might be possible to convert it into a granny flat later. However, we would then also have to plan two separate entrances from the start.

I will definitely pursue the tip about using prefabricated parts on the ground floor and adding a prefabricated house on top.

In any case, thanks to you all already!

If the plot is big enough, build yourself a bungalow with a hall next to it. You rent the hall to him. Hall construction does not fall under any energy saving regulations, is cheap, and the residential house is then really on one level. If the nursing home calls, you can also sell such an ensemble in the countryside. Karsten

The hall next door was our very first consideration, but that only works if we get a really large plot of land.

Does one actually have to build the ground floor according to the Energy Saving Ordinance if only workshop, garages, technical rooms, etc. are planned on the ground floor? That would not be considered "living space."

I would at least plan part of the living space close to the ground floor. An office can also be planned above a storage area - ideally a kind of semi-detached house, where the commercial part could later be repurposed through small conversion measures.

Best regards, Yvonne

and I can rent out the floors and rooms to whoever I want. Right?

Wrong: a prohibition of use is certainly possible if the plan does not allow this use. How much leeway the municipality has with "non-disturbing commercial use," I do not know.

The tip about prefabricated parts on the ground floor and adding an extension with a prefabricated house

Not necessarily prefabricated parts, I’m thinking more along the lines of a standard hall / garage. In my area, for example, there is a garage builder who works with pumice concrete slabs. I would build commercial halls for this use out of "aerated concrete."

Does one actually have to build the ground floor according to the Energy Saving Ordinance if only workshop, garages, technology, etc. are planned on the ground floor?

No, but for various, mainly static, reasons it makes sense not to make the wall structure on the ground floor lighter than above.

You can also plan an office above a storage area – preferably a kind of semi-detached house,

Yes, vaguely I’m thinking in this direction as well: combining storage / office with living is okay, only garage / workshop then as a separate building (part).

Well, I built my house exactly like this. First the basement, then on the ground floor 3 garages with 3 gates, above that my apartment and above that another apartment that I rent out (converted attic). KFW 55, total interior area a little over 330m². The garages are thermally separated from the living area (under the screed PUR insulation with thermal conductivity class 022). The house is still under construction, but in the final stages (just need to paint, etc.). If there are any questions, feel free.

The house is largely made of (precast) concrete and KS walls, because the garages are not separated, but completely open. You have to live with one or the other column and a large lintel, etc.

The entrance to the house is also on the side, the gates are at the front! Additionally, one of the gates has a wicket door.

PS: First post!

Regards Philippe