The quoted post is a year old... -------------------- I'm definitely glad that you finished the renovation and even well under budget.
Under budget – yes. But the truth is also that the photovoltaics were dropped and we didn’t do facade insulation, just core insulation of the masonry (about €15,000 cheaper, I would estimate). However, we should still just about achieve an efficiency class C, I estimate.
Also, from the €200,000 loan volume, it turned into €247,000 (at 3.5% interest, current payment €1,070 with €725 interest portion, will increase when the younger one goes to kindergarten and mom works part-time again) – we had kept back some equity and paid for kitchen, furniture, etc. from that. Additionally, we bought the neighboring 300 sqm plot. It is currently still used as a garden by my girlfriend’s aunt and cost another €20,000. Let’s see what we do with it long-term, but at least it’s ensured that no one will block our view (even though the plot is difficult to build on). After deducting the remaining work (terrace, painting, ...) we still have €20,000 left as a reserve from the financing.
Moreover, the bank’s calculation of living space even resulted in 110 sqm living area, so on paper we’ve “gained” 10 sqm :D
The “problem” I now have is that I’ve learned so much about how to do it, how not to do it, what I would definitely do differently, organization, processes, etc., that I really want to go through such a project again. Maybe in 5-6 years, if we want to expand again with more kids. :)