luigi01
2015-05-30 14:51:32
- #1
I wanted to briefly introduce myself and put my project (which in reality is still nothing more than just an idea) up for discussion. Incidentally, I also hope for a bit of assistance.
Well then. I am single and in my early/mid-forties from the Hildesheim/Hannover region. For various reasons, I have set my sights on acquiring property. An apartment is absolutely out of the question for me. If I am going to spend quite a bit of money, I also want to be the master of my own four walls afterwards. I do not want to acquire old buildings either. They are either in extreme need of renovation or much too large for one person. So what’s left is new construction. After some back and forth, it was clear that building as is usual in our area makes little sense for me. I have no laughing heirs, and affordable plots are so far out that after 30 years of use they will be worthless anyway and thus do not qualify as an investment (real estate only makes sense as an investment if the market is there when you want to sell. But you never know that 30 years in advance...). So for me, only "American" style building comes into question. That is, building for one generation. It has to be simple, fast, and cheap. As the cheapest option, I discovered wooden log houses on a slab. A medium-sized holiday home is more than enough for one person. According to my research, most manufacturers offer these both as building permit-ready and within the scope of the energy regulation (which does increase the price but is feasible). Moreover, the share of own labor can be extremely high because they are usually delivered as kits. If you remove the slab and gas/water, the own labor can indeed be up to 80%. Provided you have the necessary craftsmanship skills. The house is intended to be single-story so that I can use it as long as possible in old age (I currently have my parents as a sad example in mind). The planned footprint is about 9x9 m. This already includes a terrace and an annex shed. I would supply energy with a combination of gas and stove. That is not optimal energetically, but well-made "wood huts" have a fairly high insulation value. I then don’t need elaborate technology in the house. A suitable floor-standing boiler is sufficient for hot water and heating, and the tank can be placed in front of or next to the house. The smallest tank size also doesn’t cost the world. Whether you do this above ground or partially buried is certainly a matter of approval. Of course, the easiest is simply to set it up. You then only need foundations for the feet.
The whole thing is feasible for me with my own hands. I am not bound by time. If worst comes to worst, I’ll just live on the construction site for 2 months. I have a motorhome...
I currently see only one problem with the rafters. They are difficult or impossible to handle alone without outside help due to their weight. I have already completed several projects in this direction (conversions, major renovations) and at least have an idea of what awaits me even though I have never really built anything new. The important thing when doing it yourself is to recognize the point at which you reach your own limits and then get help to avoid causing damage. The costs involved are roughly estimated to be a joke compared to a conventional house. Although "as cheap as possible" does not result from financial constraints but rather from the limited duration of use. That’s the idea so far.
What worries me much more is the administrative part. What about the structural analysis, liability? Do I need an architect, or is it advisable to involve one? What about the building permits? Who does those and how does that work?
I also have a few small doubts regarding the plot of land. I need something between 400 and 500 sqm. The zoning plan must allow all this, and it would be fine with me if I do not, as is often customary, have to have at least started by a certain time X. Anyway, a look into the real estate markets shows that such "small" plots are not offered outside of town. The available plots start at 1000 sqm there. I do have some options. But if I don’t stop now, this will become so long that nobody will read it anymore.
Well then. I am single and in my early/mid-forties from the Hildesheim/Hannover region. For various reasons, I have set my sights on acquiring property. An apartment is absolutely out of the question for me. If I am going to spend quite a bit of money, I also want to be the master of my own four walls afterwards. I do not want to acquire old buildings either. They are either in extreme need of renovation or much too large for one person. So what’s left is new construction. After some back and forth, it was clear that building as is usual in our area makes little sense for me. I have no laughing heirs, and affordable plots are so far out that after 30 years of use they will be worthless anyway and thus do not qualify as an investment (real estate only makes sense as an investment if the market is there when you want to sell. But you never know that 30 years in advance...). So for me, only "American" style building comes into question. That is, building for one generation. It has to be simple, fast, and cheap. As the cheapest option, I discovered wooden log houses on a slab. A medium-sized holiday home is more than enough for one person. According to my research, most manufacturers offer these both as building permit-ready and within the scope of the energy regulation (which does increase the price but is feasible). Moreover, the share of own labor can be extremely high because they are usually delivered as kits. If you remove the slab and gas/water, the own labor can indeed be up to 80%. Provided you have the necessary craftsmanship skills. The house is intended to be single-story so that I can use it as long as possible in old age (I currently have my parents as a sad example in mind). The planned footprint is about 9x9 m. This already includes a terrace and an annex shed. I would supply energy with a combination of gas and stove. That is not optimal energetically, but well-made "wood huts" have a fairly high insulation value. I then don’t need elaborate technology in the house. A suitable floor-standing boiler is sufficient for hot water and heating, and the tank can be placed in front of or next to the house. The smallest tank size also doesn’t cost the world. Whether you do this above ground or partially buried is certainly a matter of approval. Of course, the easiest is simply to set it up. You then only need foundations for the feet.
The whole thing is feasible for me with my own hands. I am not bound by time. If worst comes to worst, I’ll just live on the construction site for 2 months. I have a motorhome...
I currently see only one problem with the rafters. They are difficult or impossible to handle alone without outside help due to their weight. I have already completed several projects in this direction (conversions, major renovations) and at least have an idea of what awaits me even though I have never really built anything new. The important thing when doing it yourself is to recognize the point at which you reach your own limits and then get help to avoid causing damage. The costs involved are roughly estimated to be a joke compared to a conventional house. Although "as cheap as possible" does not result from financial constraints but rather from the limited duration of use. That’s the idea so far.
What worries me much more is the administrative part. What about the structural analysis, liability? Do I need an architect, or is it advisable to involve one? What about the building permits? Who does those and how does that work?
I also have a few small doubts regarding the plot of land. I need something between 400 and 500 sqm. The zoning plan must allow all this, and it would be fine with me if I do not, as is often customary, have to have at least started by a certain time X. Anyway, a look into the real estate markets shows that such "small" plots are not offered outside of town. The available plots start at 1000 sqm there. I do have some options. But if I don’t stop now, this will become so long that nobody will read it anymore.