Without a plan for the home

Respect for the achievement. Finally someone in the forum who thinks like me. I also have to say that the forum is quite skeptical about doing things yourself.

I also try to do a lot myself. I did that with my first house as well. The problem you often have when building new is the schedule. Doing it yourself takes a lot of time and (in the scope described here) also a lot of nerves. I only renovated part-time for half a year without additional schooling and ended up completely exhausted. Rarely did something work immediately as planned. It was really tough and only possible with a low mortgage rate on the side. Therefore, I have the utmost respect for the OP.

Hello first of all,

I really like your thread and hats off to you for having such a goal at a young age and sticking to it. Very down-to-earth.

Yes, of course you can also "make something happen" with little equity, although in your case you have to say you are: young, childless, and a craftsman. That means factor time + the skill to pull something like that off. You can also save money on kids' toilets.

Lastly, you made the snag in Saarland. Not exactly the high-price region.

Here, it is rather the unrealistic financing schemes that are being "bypassed".

Looks pretty good already! Respect. We are in the final house-building phase (wallpapering, painting, etc.) and are slowly really running on empty. Yes, the renovation can work. It is especially "easy" if you don't have children. As soon as the family is involved, it becomes significantly more difficult. The relationship quickly suffers when a house is being renovated for 2 years and mom hardly sees dad anymore. (currently seeing the extent with relatives. We hope their marriage can withstand it). We are only so critical of renovations because many newcomers greatly underestimate the effort and stress. In our circle of friends and acquaintances, everyone who has done a major renovation has said "never again!".

With my experiences, I want to contribute to encouraging a few users to dare to do it themselves.

First of all, respect from my side as well for the courage and achievement!

On the other hand, your example is also just a warning: You are alone (in terms of a life partner, children), you are young (in terms of being healthy and fit) and specially qualified. So three major advantages for this task. Possibly, experience and network are still lacking (a 40-year-old master electrician is likely much more connected with other trades ... then even more is possible).

Nevertheless, two years go by until the planned (!) move-in date (November 2015 to the end of 2017, planned).

This is generally not reasonable for working fathers and mothers. Most people I know want to move into their own home faster and are not able to bear the multiple burdens resulting from such a project over such a long period.

Well, compared to a new building of the same size, he probably saved 150,000 euros, which he would never have paid off in 2 years. So, also economically a sensible thing. If you can do it.

Thank you for the encouragement. I would have expected different reactions by now. The strain is already enormous. But my girlfriend supports me completely. However, we don't see each other often at the moment.