A new house vs DIY house
What do you prefer? Where do you see yourself living in the next few years? Do you know I like a DIY house before a renovated or newly built house? Here is the reason: I like a building where you can feel and see that there has been a lot of craftsmanship to make a great result.
On the other hand, in some stages of life, there is not so much time to do things of your own in the house. And when you buy an old house where a lot of things need a bit of adjustment to your style, it is also a lot of work. So, that’s why I still dream of an old house with a lot of details, and an orchard.
Advantages of a new house
But now, we live in a newly built house. And it also has a lot of advantages! And we are still thankful for a separate room just for working. Some other advantages are:
– More parking spots than the houses built in the past.
– The newest building techniques and construction regulations are applied, so the house doesn’t consume (a lot of) energy and is well insulated.
– You can add your taste to it.
– In the coming years, you can expect that the maintenance costs will be limited.
Some disadvantages are:
– Depending on the project, you have to wait a long period before you can move.
– Before your house after receiving the house’s key, you need to make large investments. You need to think about the garden, kitchen, bathroom, flooring, wallcovering, etc.
Renovated house
When you look around, you see many houses renovated every 20 years or so. So if the house is 20 years old, there is a chance that the kitchen and bathroom will be replaced. Many Dutch people will buy a house that needs renovation before moving in. Or, they do it along the way. For an expat, it is also an option! And it has a lot of advantages:
– Not so many additional costs to adjust the house.
– The date of the move is normally soon.
– There are more houses on the market than the brand-new houses.
– Probably more expensive than a brand-new house, but you don’t have to do so much yourself.
– You can save money before investing in your house.
– You can negotiate about the flooring, curtains, and further belongings.
– There is not much work to be done.
Disadvantages
– Some houses are not so energy efficient. You can check it on the energy label.
– Don’t buy a house which is not your taste. Adapting a house will cost more than you think.
– Keep in mind that you need to reserve some costs for maintenance every year, depending on the state of the house.
– Always ask for a technical inspection. You never know which hidden defects will appear. As a buyer, you must do your research well.
Are you looking into options to invest in your house? Have a look here.
DIY house
What about living in a windmill, water tower or an old barn? These are most likely houses or other buildings where you have to do a lot yourself or outsource it. A lot of young couples buy a DIY house while living somewhere else. In most cases, they are busy for more than a year to upgrade the home. If you like doing many things yourself, it’s a good choice.
Do you want to prepare yourself well before starting your house renovation? Check out this guide for house renovation for free.
Some things to keep in mind:
– The house’s energy consumption is probably not what you wish for, so insulation is worth looking at.
– Be aware that most houses before 1990 can contain asbestos. The rules are getting stricter every year, so prepare that you have to remove them somewhere in the future. But maybe it is wise to do it now!
– Many houses in the south and east of the Netherlands are built on sand. And probably the floor isn’t insulated. If you want to do something about that, it can be daunting. You probably need to dig out the whole floor and begin again. Most people choose to let it go, however.
– By insulating, you can even make your house a self-supporting house energy-wise. Most likely, you can make use of subsidies.
– You can make every change in the house, you want. However, on the outside of the house, it’s another story. So inform yourself well if you need a permit.
– Not every cost can be included in a mortgage, so you should have a lot of spare money for this option. Depending on how much you want to do in your new house.
In the Netherlands, it is common to inform your neighbors about renovating the house. Details as duration, when you are planning to make noise are highly appreciated. Please be aware that it will have consequences for them too.
Costs of renovating a house
Of course, the costs of renovating your house depend on the state and size of the house and your wishes. If you want to have quotations or prices checked or other help: contact us!
To give you some examples of costs:
– Renovating a kitchen will cost you easily between €10.000 – 20.000.
– An average bathroom €15.000-€20.000.
– Insulating a roof (€1500-4500), floor except flooring €100 per square meter, cavity wall insulation €15 per square meter.
If you do it yourself, you will save the labour costs.
The good news is, that there are a lot of subsidies available. Check here.
Conclusion newly built, renovated house or DIY house?
What kind of house you want to buy is up to you. When you want a home where you can move in soon, a renovated house is a good option. A newly built house has the advantage of good insulation and less maintenance hassle. And a DIY house needs a lot of time investment. The choice is up to you!
Could you use some help with making a budget for your house renovation or do you think about buying a house? But not sure what costs to expect? Just plan a free introductory meeting here.
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