Renovation costs

I believe the perfect, one-size-fits-all solution will never exist because tastes are just too different :D But these gas heaters aren't that rare (they provide both hot water AND heating, so they turn on loudly every 2 minutes)... I think they are in almost every social housing unit. At least in every one I’ve lived in since my first apartment at 18. After that, I had 7 more apartments and they all had these disgusting, super ugly, and malfunction-prone things. Oh yeah, what I forgot to mention, besides the gas explosions, there are constant reports of carbon monoxide poisoning from defective gas heaters... no, not for me ;) But I admit, I briefly thought about it at the beginning when it came to heating for us. There was no gas connection here, but two things tipped the scales: - there is no Bafa subsidy for gas BWT - the required share of renewable energy, which was demanded for our kfw-Efficiency House 100, would have been impossible with gas. Oops, two more arguments against gas :D Just for completeness and information for the OP :)

In our current house there is a gas condensing boiler, and in our future house there will be a gas condensing boiler with ST support.

About the topic of constantly exploding gas heaters.

According to the DVGW gas damage statistics, the incidents requiring immediate reporting at customer installations have steadily decreased since 1981. In the last 15 years, there have been 1-2 accidents per one million natural gas-heated apartments per year.

And 56% are customer-caused defects; so either tinkered with by themselves or, in rare cases, the installer.

The installer for a heat pump can also mess up. Fires due to inadequate electrical installation also occur.

So the best is a house without electricity or gas or open fire :cool:

And if you have a gas heating system, for safety you should put a CO detector near the heater.

I find all of this super exciting. For us, this whole project comes out of nowhere and represents a huge opportunity. However, this also means that we haven't asked ourselves many questions yet.

For example, I hadn't even questioned gas yet - but by now there are really usable, mostly automated pellet solutions. Geothermal energy could also become interesting. I'm curious about what the energy consultant will offer... ;-)

The project could most likely fail due to emotional aspects... Do we really want to move directly to the edge of the forest far out in the countryside? It is reasonably connected and the surrounding villages don't only consist of farms - but it is still very rural.

Well, we're curious! Let's see what the construction engineer says...

Hello,

The house is a solid concrete construction, built in 1963/1964. Two stories (plus a small, unfinished attic), fully basemented. Living space approx. 120 sqm on 2 floors.

Concrete? Are you sure?

An appraisal was commissioned, the value of the house was estimated (including renovation needs, age deduction, location, etc.) at €80,000 – but the basic structure is fully fine.

Again here: really _including_ renovation backlog?

Question 1: Can we manage with €150,000 for a renovation of the development?

Will the sun shine tomorrow from 7:30 to 8:00 or rather on the Pentecost weekend?

That is a question no one here can answer. Even if I haven’t read all the posts, NRW is large. Prices in Münster are different than in Düsseldorf. Also, no one knows the exact condition of the property.

(we also want to put attic expansions into the second floor to increase the living space

If that is even allowed. Have you ever inquired at the building authority?

My assessment would be:
.....

Since we are currently renovating 2 single-family houses, I can tell you that “before” is always overtaken by “after.” _Before_ the layman estimates the costs incurred, _after_ reality catches up ;)

If I have read enough here and there, you will inspect the property with an expert. Wait for their conclusion and then recalculate; maybe by then you will also know what the building authority says about your attic plans.

Question 2: What is done nowadays regarding energy to sensibly renovate an old building?

The approach of the question is wrong. It is not important what “one” does these days; it depends on how the building substance of the property is assessed and which renovation measures are taken: the heat generator has to fit the overall concept of the single-family house. If it doesn’t, it quickly becomes a money pit!

... a great craftsman on hand, who has already done many things really well in the houses of my parents and siblings. The cost is about ~€35/hour.

I suspected as much...

Having such a craftsman on hand is always helpful and good to know; but entrusting them with the renovation of an existing property: risky.

We probably cannot do windows, facade, roof alone. Also, the outdoor areas would partly have to be handed over to professionally capable hands – there are about 200-300 sqm of asphalt, which then should definitely be removed...

Wait, as written above, for the results of discussions with the building authority and the expert, and then consider together what you, what the recommended craftsman, and what should definitely be assigned to established companies. Provided expert construction supervision.

You should also urgently clarify your available budget; in terms of changes in the guidelines since 21.3.2016, there is a lot of paperwork you have to present. It is not quite so easy to get a loan for the renovation of an existing property; apart from the fact that it – from the bank’s perspective – is evaluated differently than a new build. But smarter users will know what to write about that, if they haven’t already.

Rhenish regards

I feared it ...

Having this kind of craftsmen on hand is always helpful and good to know; but entrusting them with the renovation of an existing property: daring.

Don't worry, in the end he will only do a bit of drywall and preliminary electrical work. ;-) The whole thing will be managed sensibly.

You should also urgently clarify your available budget; regarding changes in regulations since 21.3.2016, there's quite a lot of paperwork you have to submit. It is not quite so easy to get a loan for the renovation of an existing property; not to mention that from a bank’s perspective it is assessed differently than a new build. But smarter users will know something to write about this, if they haven’t already.

I am very curious about that. Generally, I take these things rather calmly. We would bind less than 25% of our net income in ongoing repayments, which in my opinion should be rather unproblematic. Hopefully...

but smarter users will know how to write something about it if they haven't already.

The fact that the OP hasn't commented on this side of the story means there was nothing to say about it yet

We would bind less than 25% of our net income in ongoing repayments, that should

Hopefully that means you have a solid equity capital. Repayment alone is not the only criterion you need to keep in mind.

Banks are often picky about cost estimates in advance as well. So a rough estimate is not always enough.

And, for example, a new kitchen: up to €10,000 cannot be included in the construction financing.

Have you already talked to a bank / intermediary about the project?