Waiting time for floor plans and offers

There are 2 plots of land. One has a building line. This is the larger one. The house is now supposed to be on the smaller plot. After changing the property boundary, the house is on the larger one, the building line then lies on the smaller plot, where there is only the garden. It's a bit complicated, but it works that way

To me, this sounds like a first-class Pyrrhic victory – it seems that the whole surveying affair is more complicated than a classic building application including exemption fees.

Sounds more complicated than it is ;)

We started contacting 4 well-known and recommended general contractors (GU) in January 2020. All of them responded relatively quickly and there were also discussions, but they did not want to go into too much detail since no contract was signed. All of them sent a house proposal including an offer after about 2-4 weeks. However, only one GU inspected the conditions of our plot of land in advance and estimated the additional costs for the earthworks. In addition, they gave us a lot of information and help before we even signed. In the meantime, I wanted to try with an architect because our plot of land is quite small and also has a slope. I could not find an architect with capacity. Finally, we signed with our preferred GU in November 2020. Changes sometimes take 2-3 weeks to come through, but we were informed in advance that the order books are currently full and that supposed minor things could be delayed a bit. It is annoying, but as long as there is no pressure, everything is okay. The delays caused by the waiting times for the update of our building documents were taken care of by the building authority. We received the building permit within 9 working days. If you have a “simple” plot of land, I would pay attention to who gives you the safest feeling and trust. I think both a GU and an architect can make you happy there. If you have a plot with obstacles, I would definitely try to hire an architect!

Where did you build if I may ask?

So, I haven’t gotten around to it earlier...
since asked for it, here is the completed questionnaire with our ideas... a concrete plan that appeals to us does not exist yet....


Development plan/restrictions
Plot size 1000sqm
Slope slight elevation differences, see attachment
Floor area ratio 0.6
Floor space index 1.0
Building window, building line and boundary Building line only on one plot, otherwise 3m building boundary. Garage must be 5m away from the street
Edge development
Number of parking spaces 2
Number of storeys 1.5 with high knee wall of over 2m
Roof shape no specification
Style no specification
Orientation no specification
Maximum heights/limits only building boundary
Further requirements

Requirements of the builders
Style, roof shape, building type modern, gable roof, single-family house
Basement, floors no basement, ground floor + upper floor
Number of persons, age 2 adults, early and mid-30s, child planned within the next 2 years, possibly a second one
Space requirements on ground floor, upper floor
GF: home office, kitchen, dining, living, utility room, guest bathroom with shower
UF: 2x children, sleeping with dressing room, bathroom, gallery with panoramic window
Office: family use or home office? Home office
Overnight guests per year few
Open or closed architecture
Conservative or modern construction method modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island open kitchen, but around the corner
Number of dining seats 4-6
Fireplace yes, but dispensable if necessary
Music/stereo wall
Balcony, roof terrace
Garage, carport large garage for one car + storage and carport
Utility garden, greenhouse
Further wishes/special features/daily routine, also reasons why this or that should or shouldn’t be
- approx. 160 sqm
- Home office must definitely be on the ground floor, should also be usable as a bedroom in old age if necessary
- Dining room should face northeast, as a bay window with a wide view is planned there
- A gallery with panoramic window facing northeast should be created on the upper floor
- Bedroom with dressing room would be nice
- If possible, straight staircase
- Fireplace would be nice, but the first candidate to cut if necessary
- Controlled residential ventilation must be installed
- Entrance in the north or northeast, where the garage will be located


House design
By whom is the planning: not available yet
- Planner from a construction company
- Architect
- Do-it-yourself
What do you particularly like? Why?
What do you not like? Why?
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
Personal price limit for the house, including equipment: including garage/carport approx. 400,000, plot is already paid for, we are building in Vogtland... so that should be quite possible
Preferred heating technology: air-water heat pump

If you have to do without, which details/extensions
- Can you do without: fireplace, straight staircase
- Cannot do without: bay window ground floor, kitchen around the corner, gallery with panorama on the upper floor facing northeast, home office on the ground floor

Why has the design become what it is now? e.g.
- Determination of personal requirements/tastes, sifting through floor plans
- Orientation towards: Kern-Haus Allea and Rensch-Haus Modena


What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
Rensch-Haus Modena appeals to us on the ground floor, but it is too large,
upper floor would need to be modified because the gallery is in the wrong place

Suggestions, ideas?


Thank you in advance :)

whether @Escroda can follow these explanations – I certainly cannot.

No, I cannot follow.

Sounds more complicated than it is

Let's see if this assessment proves true. Please keep me updated.