Checklist Construction Costs 2021: everything that you should not overlook

The construction is probably the biggest investment in life. Using a checklist to keep track of and experience in either the cost of expensive surprises still accounts for forgotten items.

Checklist for construction costs in 2021: everything you shouldn’t miss (Photo: Shutterstock- Jeanette Dietl)

Cost checklist: structure the major project

So that you do not lose track of your major project, a checklist helps to list and take into account all cost items. This means that you have a detailed cost overview in hand right from the start in order to meet a set budget and to recognize in good time when it threatens to be exceeded.

It is important to know the most important house construction costs that are related to the planning and execution of the construction project. Important: You should not only strive to be able to build the prefabricated house inexpensively, but also consider all aspects that are really relevant for you.

Calculate construction costs per square meter

Usually only the total construction costs for a house are given and a checklist contains the final prices. It can make sense to break down the costs per square meter. Included should be doing not only the construction costs, but also the additional cost of the purchase price, commission fee, registration in the land registry, notary fees, etc.

A total volume results from all cost points, which must be estimated for the construction of the new prefabricated dream house. A building loan can then be planned and it is possible to optimize the cost points that may exceed the budget or to cancel them entirely.

In the case of a house, the shell is always created, followed by the interior. (Photo: Shutterstock- JRP Studio)

Split total costs into cost blocks

Before creating an individual cost checklist for the house and property, it can be helpful to divide the total costs into cost blocks. The precise listing of all house construction costs helps to identify the largest cost factor, which is useful if savings measures may have to be taken into account because the budget was exceeded.

The cost blocks can be divided as follows:

Total cost of the property

This block can be the most expensive, because the selected property z. B. can be found in a particularly exposed location.

The checklist includes:

• The buying price,
• the brokerage fees,
• the notary and land registry costs as well
• the real estate transfer tax.

Total cost of the shell

In the case of a house, the shell is always created, followed by the interior. These two major steps can also be seen as separate cost blocks. This factor is the second major cost item after the property purchase.

The following cost items must be on the checklist to erect the shell:

• Construction of the foundation,
• Construction of the outer walls,
• Putting on the roof structure,
• Installation of stairs,

Total cost of the outdoor facilities

The house is on its own property, everything is finished. Now it is time to erect the outdoor facilities, which of course have to be broken down and planned in terms of costs. The cost pool of the outdoor facilities can best be included in savings measures, because many of these points can still be dealt with later.

The cost pool of the outdoor facilities can best be included in savings measures, because many of these points can still be dealt with later. (Photo: Shutterstock-nnattalli)

Note: The more complete the plot is to be designed immediately after construction, the more expensive it will be. There is enormous savings potential here if building owners decide to let the property gradually “grow” or to decide on additions to the planting only on a free budget.

The checklist therefore includes:

• the cost of fencing the property as well
• the construction of a parking space,
• a garage or
• a carport for one car or several vehicles.
• Terraces, paths and lawns to be created are also included in this cost block.
• Even plants that are to be used as privacy screens can be broken down.

Ancillary construction costs

This cost block contains different individual items and is handled differently on each checklist. For example, while real estate transfer tax or notary fees are sometimes counted as property costs, some other checklists count them as ancillary construction costs.

Overall, it can be assumed that the ancillary construction costs amount to around 15 percent of the total costs (Photo: Shutterstock-Phovoir)

Here, a builder should make a note of the total costs for his future prefabricated house and classify it as ancillary or property costs.

It is only important that these costs for the house are not forgotten. Overall, it can be assumed that the ancillary construction costs amount to around 15 percent of the total costs, but they vary depending on the federal state due to differently set fees.

The checklist includes:

• the cost of the preliminary construction inquiry,
• the building permit,
• the construction management as well
• possible insurance.
• The development costs must not be forgotten either.

Moving costs

This cost factor is not mandatory on the checklist for the costs of the new house, but can be useful depending on the amount of goods to be transported. If you want to have an expensive piano or grand piano transported, you have to expect at least 500 euros, which will be added to the normal moving costs.

The latter can also be included as a sub-item in the checklist for ancillary construction costs. At this point, you can save a lot of money later by doing it yourself. If you do the move yourself, you don’t have to pay a moving company.

Certain cost points still have to be factored in, for example, because the old apartment also has to be renovated. According to the motto “Small cattle also make crap”, there are additional cost items piece by piece, which add up in the end.

Extra costs

Special requests cause special costs for a house. These points must also be added to the checklist. If you want to have a winter garden, a pool in the garden or an underground car park, you not only need a higher budget than the average, but also a separate item on the checklist.

If you want to have an expensive piano or grand piano transported, you have to expect at least 500 euros, which will be added to the normal moving costs. (Photo: Shutterstock-Monkey Business Images_)

The extra cost is the point most likely to be saved and made up for later.

The underground car park cannot be implemented in every prefabricated house, but is useful if a basement is planned. Up to 50,000 euros can be incurred as additional costs. Pool and winter garden also cost up to 30,000 euros, but are differently expensive depending on the version.

It is important to take into account not only the pure execution costs, but also the fees for further permits and the additional planning effort of the architect or civil engineer.

Have costs calculated in advance

In order to get a good overview of the costs incurred for the house and to be able to draw up a detailed checklist, it makes sense to use the planning by the architect or civil engineer. However, the property costs are already dropped, because the architect will only plan the dream house when the property has already been bought.

However, the funds already spent can still be included in the list of total costs. It is important to use the checklist to get an overview of whether the budget is actually being met even during the construction project. Savings may have to be implemented so that the overall budget can still be maintained.

Building a house is probably the greatest investment in life. (Photo: Shutterstock-REDPIXEL.PL)

Checklist building costs: Example of a cost overview

Builders can use a checklist to avoid expensive mistakes. You should therefore note the cost groups mentioned above and enter the known amounts.

Important: If you have received a total budget from the construction planner, you should definitely look for additional costs. Find out which are included in a total price and which are coming separately. The amounts that are known to you can be written directly after the respective item in the checklist.

Checklist building costs: construction costs

• architect
• Structural engineer
• Energy consultant
• Setting up the construction site
• Development costs for the property
• Provision of construction electricity and water
• Foundation and creation of basement
• Base plate
• Shell construction costs
• Roof and roof insulation
• Windows, doors, blinds
• Electrical and lightning protection installation
• Installation of smart home technology
• Installation of sanitary facilities
• Installation heating
• Interior plaster
• Exterior plaster
• Screed and insulation of the floor
• Creation of a ventilation concept
• Further technical equipment

Checklist for construction costs: Interior construction

• Laying the floor coverings
• Furnishing of bathroom and toilet including sanitary ware and fittings
• Painting and wallpapering
• kitchen equipment
• Creation of winter garden
• new furniture
• Lamps and lights
• stack
• sauna
• any other equipment

Checklist for building costs: outdoor area

• build a garden
• Plants and hedges
• Construction of garden and tool shed
• Construction garage or parking space
• Paths and paving
• Creation of the terrace
• Establishment or planting of privacy screens
• Design of the entrance
• Porch

If a builder has a special request, such as covering the plinth on the house with straps and doing without the otherwise usually usual plaster, this becomes significantly more expensive. (Photo: Shutterstock-Robert Kneschke)

Checklist building costs: additional costs

The other cost items are to be seen as the cost factors for the outdoor facilities. They should be included in the overall budget, but it is possible to separate them from the same. This means that the corresponding work on and in the house can also be carried out later. Nevertheless, it has been shown that the inclusion of individual additional costs in the overall calculation is better.

If a builder has a special request, such as covering the plinth on the house with straps and doing without the otherwise usually usual plaster, this becomes significantly more expensive. He takes out this cost factor and assumes that his project can be realized in a few years. However, the running total costs and other expenses for the house are high, so the application of the straps is postponed from year to year.

For a checklist to be made, house building costs therefore apply: Better set the budget a little higher and realize all your wishes directly, provided they are not to be classified as a completely unnecessary luxury and completely break the construction budget. The later realization is possible, but in practice it has been shown several times that the implementation of additional requests is usually not carried out.