Single-family house with >180 sqm / basement / garage

We are building an energy-saving ordinance house without a ventilation system with a combined heating system heat pump plus solar with 197sqm of living space. We currently have the closed shell including rough installation of sanitary and electrical, and we are still at a total house price including floor slab and chimney of around 270,000 euros. In addition, floors still need to be installed in the house except for the three bathrooms (which are tiled) and walls in all rooms need to be sanded and painted. We are paying another 5,000 euros for the bathroom fittings (3 flush-level tiled showers, two shower WCs, and a shower system with rain shower). The electrician will receive around 2,000 euros more for our special requests. There is underfloor heating everywhere. The standard is not very high, but all are brand products and so far the building expert has had little to complain about. However, we were very careful with the price during planning and gave up almost everything that would become expensive because we do not want to overstretch ourselves financially.

I would go to an architect who does a building submission plan for a fixed price and roughly plan 200 sqm without a basement. Basement replacement room next to the garage included. Based on that, you can get several turnkey offers. I did the same. I think that’s the best way to go, because you don’t rely on a general contractor and can pick the offer with the best price/performance ratio. When I consider that we are around 330 to 340k without a basement, 400k could be enough. But you shouldn’t expect major leaps in the fittings.

I think you have to make compromises, but overall you could manage without a basement. We, 2 adults and 2 children, are building in Hesse, just under 180 sqm, masonry with a large garage, standard is mid to upper range, with photovoltaic system and storage, generous electrical planning, 2 bathrooms with high-quality tiles, kitchen, outdoor area, air-to-water heat pump, filter system for hard water, reinforced concrete staircase with granite covering and are at 390,000 (excluding land). For us, it was important to have 2 full floors so that we don't lose any space, we have a walkable attic for storage, we also allowed ourselves 2 bay windows, gray windows, especially large windows in all rooms etc. In addition, we planned the utility room so that it connects directly to the garage and there is a basement replacement room of about 18 sqm in the garage.

We are building with a regional contractor who takes over the construction management but awards all trades individually and only to reliable craftsmen with whom he has been working for years. However, we coordinate with the trades ourselves and thus have a complete overview of what the offers look like. The planning came from an architect who has worked with the company for a long time (costs incl. approx. 8,300 €).

We were fortunate that we already know people who have built with this company and were more than satisfied. I hope you find a good company.

Hello,

we are building just around the corner from you - 10 km north of Donauwörth. 226 sqm with a basement. We requested turnkey offers - between €670,000 and €770,000. It’s absolutely insane what kind of quality you get for that money - lowest quality. That’s why we handed over the shell and organized the trades ourselves. It will probably also come to €600,000-700,000 - but at least we get the features we want. With land, outdoor facilities, and furnishings, it will be between €950,000 and 1 million. I don’t understand this world anymore. For this money, I would have expected a luxury castle, not a normal house. If you can manage with your money - then we are doing something wrong. Or maybe you build everything yourselves without craftsmen, just with family..... Best regards

Hello,

we are building just around the corner from you - 10 km north of Donauwörth. 226 sqm with a basement. We requested turnkey offers - between €670,000 and €770,000. It's absolutely insane what kind of equipment you get for this money - lowest quality

Have you already signed?
If yes, then you have been nicely ripped off. I find that completely excessive.
Compared to the area, it is almost comparable to our construction project.
Do you want to have the walls covered in gold, or what did you use there?
How did you do the planning?

Signed, the turnkey offers? No, that would really be a rip-off – although when I look at the neighbors – the prices are all the same.

That’s why, as I wrote, we decided to award the shell construction ourselves and organize the trades ourselves.
Our house was built 5 years ago, somewhat smaller, by relatives – all done as DIY...! Still, it came to €580,000. Aluminum windows – oak windows already cost 50,000 – blinds 15,000, ventilation system 15,000. Heating / sanitary – 100,000 €. etc. Then there are 160 sqm terrace waterproofing, railings, etc. … An architect’s house… we only start on 28.05.18. Today that’s not considered standard – 25 years ago it would have been standard. Today anything that’s not 9x9 m is already a palace – a joke. Gold-plated faucets – well, we’re still far from that!!!
25 years ago, with my first house, everything was easier. Today, complying with the regulations already costs a fortune.

Builder’s liability insurance, construction performance insurance, shell fire insurance – sorry, either that didn’t exist back then, or I was so naïve that I didn’t notice.
This construction performance insurance – at our build sum level, you only get it for insanely high contributions. Close your eyes and hope nothing happens.
It’s no fun anymore.