Prefabricated house 154 sqm contract for work

Hello,

we have decided on a prefabricated house with 154 sqm of living space. This is presented in the catalog as a single-family house. According to the consultant, it is no problem to build it as a semi-detached house as well. However, the architect (who works with the prefabricated house company) keeps sending us floor plans with 130 sqm, 140 sqm, or even 145 sqm of living space. According to our specifications, the prefabricated house (contract signed with 154 sqm) should also have these 154 sqm. The architect now says that this is not so easy to implement. My question is: Why can't I build this house with 154 sqm of living space? According to the building plot 6.50 x 15, this should be possible.

Hello,

According to the consultant, it is not a problem to build this as a semi-detached house.

If the original planning offers solution options for the omission of the windows on the party wall, then it is also not a problem. Under this condition, almost any single-family house can be designed as a semi-detached house.

According to our information, the prefabricated house (contract signed with 154 sqm) should also have this 154 sqm.

Why did you even sign the contract with - for you - incorrect floor plans?

But the architect said that it would not be so easy to implement. My question would now be: Why can I not build this house with 154 sqm of living space? According to the building envelope 6.50 x 15 this should be possible.

There can be different answers to this:

[*]The specifications of the textual determinations for the development plan result in a reduced living space according to DIN - e.g., where is the intersection of the eaves measured?
[*]You are building one-story with a low/no knee wall and the 2-meter line lies far inside, thereby reducing the living space according to DIN in the attic
[*]You are the second semi-detached partner and have to comply with the specifications of your neighbor, whose building permit already exists; this may reduce the living space according to DIN in the attic
[*]You confuse living space with floor area (FA)
[*]etc.

What does your architect answer to your question?

Best regards

So according to the contract for work, we bought the Evolution 154. However, the architect said that 140 sqm would also be sufficient (we are building a semi-detached house for our two children, which we will rent to them). We have now received a calculation: From our prefabricated house provider: Built-up area: 97.72 m2 House dimensions: 6.5 x 15 m Roof type: gable roof Roof pitch: 28 degrees Knee wall: 1.69 m Net floor area ground floor 82.19 m2 Net floor area upper floor 80.83 m2 Total floor area 163.02 m2 Additional costs of 37,984.00 euros (because we extended by 1.50 meters). But actually we only wanted 154 sqm (as signed in the contract for work). After we looked at the construction plan, the prefabricated house provider said the net floor area is without terrace, balcony, garage, and equipment. They need this area for the evaluation of the heating area (because of rental). The architect’s living area is based on building law and deviates from these net floor areas :(. According to the building envelope we are allowed to build 6.50 x 15 meters. But we only want a pure living area of 154 sqm (as also signed in the contract for work). Is it really so complicated to implement this? And do we now have to pay 37,984.00 euros more for 1.50 meters house extension (without base slab)?

Hello,

You did not answer my question as to why you signed a contract for work that does not correspond to your wishes and ideas?

So according to the contract for work, we bought the Evolution 154.

That is a completely different house in its dimensions; due to the changes in the external measurements, a different character arises. Your provider therefore had to not only adjust the party wall but plan a completely new floor plan.

However, the architect said 140 sqm would also be sufficient ( we are building a duplex for our two children, which we will rent to them ).

Will it be the architect’s house or yours?

We have now received a calculation:
From our prefab home provider:
Built-up area: 97.72 m2
House dimensions: 6.5 x 15 m
Roof shape: gable roof
Roof pitch: 28 degrees
Knee wall: 1.69 m
Net floor area ground floor 82.19 m2
Net floor area upper floor 80.83 m2
Total floor area 163.02 m2

That roughly adds up at first glance.

Additional costs of €37,984.00 (because we extended by 1.50 meters. But actually we only wanted 154 sqm (as signed in the contract for work)

That’s quite a gulp, especially considering that the “starting price” is somewhere around €1,030/sqm/living space. You are now paying about €2,100.00/sqm/living space for a good 18 sqm more living space, excluding the base plate.

After we looked at the construction plan, the prefab home provider said the net floor area does not include the terrace, balcony, garage, and storage room. They need this area for the evaluation of the heating area (due to renting). The architect’s living area is based on building law and deviates from these net floor areas :(.

Net areas remain net areas :confused: What your advisor probably means is that the terrace, balcony, and garage are included in the price per sqm for rental purposes. Hopefully, neither the balcony, the terrace, nor especially the garage are heated?

According to the building window, we may build 6.50 x 15 meters. But we only want a pure living area of 154 sqm (as signed in the contract for work). Is it really so complicated to implement this?

A house volume of 6.50 x 14.0 m is sufficient for that; then it is just under 154 sqm living area – about 151 sqm living area.

And do we now have to pay €37,984.00 more for an extension of 1.50 meters of the house (without the base plate)?

If you want to extend to 15.0 meters in depth, yes. If the house volume is only extended to 14.0 meters in depth, correspondingly less.

Kind regards

Hello,

You didn’t answer my question as to why you signed a contract for work that does not match your wishes and expectations?

We wanted a semi-detached house with 154 sqm of living space. This was not listed as a semi-detached house in the catalog (there it was only 130 sqm according to the catalog).
So we decided on the Evolution 154. The comment was, no problem to convert this into a semi-detached house.

This is a completely different house in its dimensions; due to the changes in the external measurements, a different character arises. Your provider therefore had to not "only" adjust the party wall, but plan a completely new floor plan.

According to the provider, this would not be a problem at all.

Will it be the architect’s house or yours?

Actually mine :)

The initial estimate is about right.

But since it was now calculated with 163.02 sqm here, it costs correspondingly more :(

That is quite a hit, especially considering that the "entry price" is somewhere around €1,030/sqm living space. For a good 18 sqm more living space, you are now paying roughly €2,100.00/sqm living space without the base plate.

Yes, I actually only want 154 sqm of living space.

Net floor areas remain net floor areas :confused: What your consultant probably means is that the terrace, balcony, and garage are included in the price per sqm of rentable space. Hopefully neither the balcony, terrace, nor especially the garage will be heated?

Actually don’t want to heat the outdoor areas :(

For that, a building volume of 6.50 x 14.0 m is sufficient; that then amounts to just under 154 sqm living space - approximately 151 sqm living space.

I would be vollllllllllll satisfied with 151 sqm, but then please without extra charge (contract for work signed with 154 sqm)

If you want to extend to 15.0 m in depth, yes. If the building volume is extended "only" to 14.0 m in depth, accordingly less.

I actually just want to extend so that I get to 154 sqm (or 151 sqm as described above). But somehow I am speaking a different language with the architect.

Hello,

We wanted a semi-detached house with 154 sqm of living space. This was not listed as a semi-detached house in the catalog (it was only 130 sqm according to the catalog)
So we decided on the Evolution 154. The comment was, no problem to convert this into a semi-detached house.

That certainly may have been the case, but in your position, I would still have had plans presented before signing "my Otto" anywhere. Hopefully, you will remember your resulting confusion in similar future situations.

I would be fully satisfied with 151 sqm, but then please without additional cost (work contract signed with 154 sqm)
I basically just want to extend so that I get 154 sqm (or 151 sqm as described above). But somehow I am speaking a different language with the architect.

Whether this is possible without further ado is stated in your work contract and annexes; no one here can say anything about that.

Best regards