Own contributions? What is feasible?

Hello,

we want to build a small house. A townhouse with 130m² of living space. According to the builder, own contributions are possible. I am a really skilled craftsman, did an apprenticeship as a mechatronics technician, then worked two years as a fitter for harbor mobile cranes, then continued my education to become a technician specializing in mechatronics, and now I work as a developer in plant engineering. So regarding mechanics and electrical engineering, I have a really good understanding and I am not afraid of rough work. I thought flooring and painting work should be no problem. Through the EWL Instakit, an electrical installation should also be included. Now I am thinking about installing the underfloor heating myself. My question is to what extent this is really possible. You have already completed a lot of own contributions. How much time without planning did you spend on:

- Electrical installation
- Underfloor heating
- Flooring (laying parquet and tiles)
- Painting work

My problem is we are both working and have a small boy.

Looking forward to your answers

Best regards
Andi

Hello,

I suggest you do as much subordinate work as possible and let the main work be done by the executing companies. Warranty!

Chasing/grooving; re-sealing
Sealing ceiling openings (concreting)

Try asking your craftsmen if it would be possible for you to work alongside them and get paid for your hours – that way the warranty is always covered by the contractor.

Regards

Hello Andi,

I am a really skilled craftsman ...

That flatters you, but it is not the only question you should answer for yourself ...

Problem is we are both working and have a small boy.

... exactly.

From all experience, skilled tradespeople need a good 3-4 months for interior finishing, depending on the size of the house. You only have time in the evenings and on weekends to do your own work (EL); no matter how skilled you may be. Furthermore, quite a few family relationships break under the double burden!

If you want to do electrical work as EL, in the end you will need a master craftsman to approve your work, and the general contractor (GU) will have to integrate your EL into the construction schedule; meaning that, in my opinion, there will be no guarantee for the construction time. Consider insulation, drywall, painting, and flooring including tiles – here internal doors and sanitary fixtures would also be suitable for EL – and calculate the wall and ceiling areas beforehand. Even in a two-story city villa, that adds up to quite a bit and you will spend many evenings and weekends not seeing your little family.

EL is always good – without complications and warranty disputes – if it is done after the GU/BU has left the construction site ;)

Best regards

Hello,

...Now I'm considering installing the underfloor heating myself.

Have the entire system (heating, DHW, ventilation) precisely calculated beforehand. Then the underfloor heating should be feasible.
When doing work yourself, the actual time required is generally significantly underestimated. You should calculate with factors depending on the trade and existing knowledge from 2.5 to 4.

Regards

Sense and nonsense of EL:

My neighbors buried the rainwater pipes themselves.
He definitely worked with the shovel for 3 days. My excavator drove up and did it in 30 minutes.
Who saved there?

Since I also have a family and a job, I limited my EL to painting and pulling the satellite cables into the existing empty conduit. As well as everything with the garden later. So everything that does not delay my construction progress. Because that also costs money (Provision interest).

Hello @perlenmann: I completely agree with you. It really makes no sense to perform own work with double or triple the time expenditure for you. Regards