Old building renovation: yes or no? Budget ~140,000-180,000€

Good day everyone,

I hope I have found the right section, otherwise I ask a moderator to move the post accordingly.

Now I would like to briefly introduce ourselves and describe our situation. We are my partner (34) and I (31), currently still renting in the Rhein-Main area. We were actually planning to build or buy a house in the near future.

Due to family circumstances, the situation has changed, as I have inherited my grandmother's house.

It is located on the same property as my parents' house. This circumstance makes a sale impossible.

Now the idea is to renovate the house and use it ourselves. I know questions about costs are difficult to answer from a distance, but it would still be nice if someone could provide a rough estimate.

First, a few facts which I can provide as a layperson:

It is a detached single-family house from 1926. Thanks to my grandparents, it is in good condition for me as a layperson.

It has been renovated and modernized by all generations. The last major modernization was the roof last year, which was completely renewed and insulated for 40,000 euros.

Currently, the house offers 150 sqm of living space spread over two full floors and a converted attic. The house also has a full basement.

What we imagine is completely renewed electrical wiring and the replacement of the heating system as well as the plastic windows from the 1990s.

Another full bathroom would have to be created and the relocation of one or two interior walls if possible.

The budget I have in mind for this is in the range of 140,000 to 180,000 euros.

I would be very grateful for a rough assessment of whether such a project is feasible within the stated budget.

If additional information is needed for a preliminary assessment, I will gladly provide it.

Thank you very much and have a nice weekend!

If you want to tear down walls, I would involve an architect. Also so that the whole renovation fits together. You write the roof is renovated, what else is important besides the windows, possibly the facade? But with 180,000 you can of course do quite a bit.

Our house (230sqm and below 70sqm basement from 1936) was gutted with €200,000, equipped with new electrical wiring, all supply and disposal lines, new flooring, and a terrace extension. Two new bathrooms were installed. Two windows were converted into terrace doors.
Only a few windows, the roof, and the facade remained old, which had also been redone in the later 90s.
With the amount you planned, you can definitely achieve something.
From my experience, I can only advise you to involve an architect or construction engineer experienced in renovating old buildings. In such beautiful old houses, there are always strange surprises.
For example, in our case, some rooms were missing between 24 and 35 centimeters compared to the original building plans. Test drilling revealed that each renovation generation had added new layers. 1st layer: 90s, 2nd layer 60s/70s, third layer original 1936. I can tell you, joyful gutting. First purchase: a Hilti, then 11 tons of rubble, in a house that appeared well-maintained from the outside.

But it was absolutely worth it.

Sylvia

Good day everyone,

I hope I have found the right section, otherwise I kindly ask a moderator to move the post accordingly.

Now I would like to briefly introduce ourselves and outline our situation. We are my partner (34) and I (31), currently still renting in the Rhine-Main area. Actually, we planned to build or buy a house in the near future.

Due to family circumstances, the situation has changed because I inherited my grandmother’s house.

This house is located on the same property as my parents' house. This circumstance makes a sale impossible.

That is not generally correct, because in connection with a unification easement you can make a real division with 25 bending points running right through the house and – as pointless as that may be – freely trade half of the property/house, if you find someone who likes that.

Therefore, it would be interesting why you think the house could not be sold, especially since according to your statement it is a detached house!?

Another full bathroom would need to be created and one or two interior walls moved, if possible.

The budget I am considering for this is in the range of 140,000 to 180,000 euros.

I would be very grateful for a rough assessment of whether such a project is feasible with the mentioned budget.
/QUOTE]

That can already achieve quite a bit, but I would always discuss it with an architect; here in the forum it makes little sense without exact knowledge of the property.

Best regards
Dirk Grafe

Get an experienced person such as a civil engineer or architect involved. But with the budget, you should be able to do quite a lot in the house. Since the roof is already done, a huge cost factor is already eliminated. If you're already redoing the electrical system, I think I would also replace all the (waste) water pipes, since the walls are open anyway. We just went through it. We needed significantly more budget than planned. Our double carport will be postponed to next year for now, and the newly planned house entrance will temporarily remain the provisional wooden stairs. So always keep some money back.

What we imagine would be a completely renewed electrical system and the replacement of the heating system as well as the plastic windows from the 90s.

Another full bathroom would need to be created and one or the other interior wall moved, if possible.

We have planned something similar in recent months. I have received offers
- Electrical system 12,000 euros
- Heating (gas condensing boiler, 10 rooms/radiators) 15,000 euros
- Bathroom (depending on size and chosen equipment) 10,000 euros upwards

- Windows --> no idea/opinion (do they really need to be replaced?)
- Walls ---> depends...

- If windows are replaced and walls are done, you will probably want to paint everything completely (another 10,000 euros :-) ).

This is all very vague. You should invite a trusted craftsman and then ask for corresponding offers.