Building a semi-detached house: Save costs and effort
Building a semi-detached house – The semi-detached house is cheaper than a detached house. How much can really be saved, many builders can not estimate at first glance. At Lukinski, we will be happy to advise you on the potential savings when building a semi-detached home. However, semi-detached homes also have some limitations – some flexibility is required. Our semi-detached house experts would like to share some ideas with you. Perhaps the semi-detached house is just the right form of living for you?
Why the semi-detached house helps to save
The reasons for saving money when building a semi-detached house weigh several times. The factors for the favorable construction of the semi-detached house lie in the
- Smaller plot size
- the omission of the outer wall, as both units are connected
- a single roof structure for two houses.
Even more savings can be made with a semi-detached house if the heating and hot water supply are used together. Although the purchase price for a large heating system is also higher – about ten to twenty percent – than for a detached house, the larger heating system can bring savings of up to 60 percent.
If you compare the construction costs of two single-family houses with those of the semi-detached house, the savings potential can be seen at first glance. The construction method reduces the area of the eight exterior walls, as one wall area can be saved by assembling the houses. Special insulation against heat loss is also not required for this intermediate wall. The exact savings possibilities for your semi-detached house can only be calculated precisely in each individual case.
Accurate calculation of savings opportunities
Basically, it can be said that the larger you build, the higher the cost savings. On average, about one third of the cost of building two walls is saved. The Lukinski team of experts will be happy to provide you with further information and advice on saving money with a semi-detached house. A common heating system, electrical installation and hot water supply offer additional savings opportunities with semi-detached house construction. More favourable cost estimates can also be expected to a large extent, as the contract is larger, longer term and therefore more profitable for the construction companies involved.
Great cost savings on the land
In the case of detached houses and apartment complexes, a statutory minimum distance must be maintained from the neighbour. This reduces the buildable area. For example, the building plot for a detached house must be a total of six metres wider than the house. In the case of a semi-detached house, this minimum distance does not apply and more square metres can be built on on a sufficiently large building plot. With a plot length of 100 meters, 300 square meters less building land is required – in the length 3 meters are available for living space, since no minimum distance is to be kept. If a price per square metre of 100 euros is taken as a basis for the building plot, this means a saving of 30,000 euros.
The cost savings for a semi-detached house are somewhat lower if the building plot prices are low or a larger garden can be dispensed with. The smaller the plot to be built on, the smaller the saving on the semi-detached house. In urban areas, however, the semi-detached house is a very attractive way to get the most out of an expensive building plot. Considerable savings can be made on land costs and building costs.
Life in the semi-detached house
In general, the resale value for a semi-detached house is quite high. Semi-detached houses are in demand, also because of the possibility of accommodating several generations under one roof. Large families or those who want to become one, but also new living concepts such as Airbnb can be implemented excellently with a semi-detached house. The parents, the children – all find room in the semi-detached house. In the meantime, it can be rented out on the regular rental market.
In addition to the savings from better use of building land, the single roof construction also brings financial benefits. Only one roof is required for two houses, which must be insulated. Lower energy costs can also be expected. In most cases, duplexes sit on less confined lots than single-family homes. This is one of the reasons why semi-detached homes are among the most sought after properties in the real estate market. As a rule, good prices can be achieved for semi-detached houses and buyers can be found quite quickly.
The greatest savings potential of the semi-detached house
The semi-detached house has one wall less than two detached single-family houses. This not only reduces construction costs, but also heating costs in the semi-detached house. However, it must be conceded that free-standing properties are also currently excellently insulated and insulated. Due to the very good external wall insulation, modern buildings lose significantly less energy through the walls.
However, the fact that the running costs of the jointly used heating system are apportioned to a larger living area means that the semi-detached house design has further financial advantages. The apportioned maintenance and repair costs are about half of those for two independent, conventional heating systems. This means that several hundred euros can be saved per year.
However, the biggest cost advantage of the semi-detached house lies in its construction. When building the house, a semi-detached house can be up to 50,000 euros cheaper than a comparable single-family house with the same living space.
Considerations before building a semi-detached house
According to development plans and legal requirements, the two households must give a uniform impression to the outside. This restricts the owners’ design options. SO a subsequent extension of the attic, for example to insert dormers, can only be carried out for the entire semi-detached house. No planning permission will be issued for a single semi-detached house to extend the attic.
Also, many renovation measures are only possible after consultation with the owner of the second half. This also applies to repairs to the roof and other externally visible areas. If a change to a different energy source, district heating or a complete modernisation of the heating system is required, the two owners must first agree on a solution.
The common wall prevents further windows in the room. However, with clever planning, this should not be a major disadvantage. In semi-detached houses, however, there is light only from three cardinal directions. Depending on the location of the building site and the development, it is possible that one of the semi-detached houses has south-facing windows, while the other has permanently dark north-facing windows. Therefore, it is important to discuss the building site and possible development with a professional before purchasing. We, at Lukinski are a competent and reliable contact for all questions.
The proximity to the neighbour – a disadvantage?
Fear of noise from the neighboring family should not be. For semi-detached houses, particularly good sound insulation is considered in the planning. However, noises from hammering, drilling or house music can penetrate the wall. It can be similar in the garden. Depending on the requirements of the residential location, a family with many children can cloud the relaxing afternoon on the terrace. Similarly, however, tension can arise when family members or friends occupy the duplex. With the constant presence, a closeness sets in that is perhaps not wanted in the long term.
Overview of the semi-detached house
If the price of land is high, it is worth buying or building a semi-detached house. The smaller the required land area, the greater the cost savings. In addition, there are advantages when land prices are particularly high. The more expensive the square metre prices in the region, the more the construction of the semi-detached house pays off.
Shared facilities in and around the house can further reduce the cost of living. Maintenance and repair of the roof, heating and other installations are shared between the parties. A disadvantage can be the restricted use that exists in the case of conversion measures – if they affect the outside area. Special attention should be paid to the orientation of the duplex so that each of the halves has sufficient daylight.
Would you like to build a semi-detached house?
Contact us for all questions regarding your real estate purchase or the new construction of your semi-detached house. As an online real estate agent for the regions of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate, Lukinski has numerous very favourably located plots of land on offer which are ideally suited for a semi-detached house. We are also happy to advise you on basic questions of building, the orientation of the house and the possibilities of exploitation – e.g. by renting. If you would like to build a semi-detached house, Lukinski is your experienced partner.