Single-family house optimization and planning (180 sqm + attic without basement)

Hi Crossy,

thank you very much. The numbers are fine as they are. We can go up to 420 including everything, but that already includes everything. That leaves a maximum of 10k reserve from the equity for a new car or something. The repayment is calculated at 1500 per month and the additional costs at 400-500 euros.

Calculated with 1750€ per square meter, I come to a maximum of 180 sqm. That would be okay. But there are missing roller blinds, kitchen, furniture, garden. That annoys me. I would also be fine with 160 sqm, that would have to be calculated by a professional.

I have already calculated the garage at 33 sqm for 1 vehicle and bicycles and a lawnmower. That’s enough.

I am also being advised on the side by the industry king Viebrockhaus. They are supposed to calculate an Edition 600 (165 sqm) for me. According to the catalog 350k gross (yes, I know, without garage and co) - that is where I want to go. With own contribution, I will then get below 350k, so I can upgrade roller blinds or whatever again.

I am aware that we can only have selected things. The first draft is useless, but it opened my eyes. We also wonder why the biggest mansions stand everywhere here and we calculate ourselves at 140 sqm, although we already have the plot. But I don’t care about other people’s finances either.

At 420k and a smaller garage, 160 sqm should roughly fit.

420k all in
- 25k garage (then smaller, as you mentioned)
- 30k incidental construction costs including groundwork
- 20k garden with [EL]
- 20k kitchen and smaller furnishings
325k left for the house
Makes about 160 sqm.

But don’t calculate everything so tightly that you have no buffer left. If you end up at 420k in your first discussions, then cut something. It’s better to aim for 400k if you can spend 420k. If the budget is planned down to the last cent before the first groundbreaking, the construction phase will cause you sleepless nights. It almost never goes as smoothly as previously calculated. There are simply things that cannot be calculated beforehand and for that you need a reserve.
And don’t fall into the misconception that you can save massively with [EL] as someone not from the construction industry.

And Viebrockhaus is certainly a good provider. But they also already include some extras in the standard package, which makes the whole thing expensive. I don't think that's feasible for you.

If the Edition 600 costs 350k, your calculation won't work.

350k house
+ 20k incidental construction costs (I'm being generous here and reducing the incidental construction costs for Viebrockhaus, since quite a bit is already included in their price)
+ 25k garage
+ 20k exterior facilities in EL
+ 20k kitchen and some furnishings

Then you're at 435k. And you won't save 15k through EL (unless you're a professional in one of the trades and only charge for materials) to meet your budget.
Let alone that you could "work out" money through EL for desired extras.

I would put the garage on the list for "later construction projects" and then just make a carport with a shed out of it. Saved about ~30K again.

Here is another suggestion with 1 office. However, daylight spots are necessary on the upper floor.






(Carport only indicated.)
All bay windows removed and rooms integrated into the house. Width increased, but depth reduced. The children have the south side - however, one with an ear towards the bedroom - possibly make the wall thicker. Access for the kids to the master bathroom + laundry chute.

There is one point and the nursing home is the only sensible option there. Before a couple moves to the ground floor, a lot has to happen. There are options like a stairlift. The nursing service also comes to the upper floor. Why give up the large familiar bedroom? Why squeeze into the tiny bathroom with a caregiver?

That's exactly what I mean, or rather not. You simply do not give up your bedroom if only one person needs care. And you want the person being cared for a) more centrally located on the ground floor and b) not the care in your bedroom. In my opinion, an extra room on the ground floor would make sense, especially because it could first be used flexibly (office, guest, exercise).

Caregiving is exhausting. If someone can no longer stay in their bedroom – despite a stairlift, despite the use of a nursing bed for the double bed, 2x nursing service is no longer sufficient. At least care allowance level 4 applies here, if not level 5.