Hanse Haus project

[Orbinator]

I'm possibly about to embark on a Hanse Haus project (it's a type of prefab house with low energy rates etc for anyone who can't be bothered to look at the link) www.hanse-haus.co.uk/

I was wondering if anyone on here has used them or knows anyone who had? Any advice?

Also it is fairly daunting, if not very exciting, to be able to start from scratch. Is there anything in your own homes that you wouldn't live without? Or wish you had? Right down to sockets/lighting/storage/carpets/decking or special nooks and crannies that make for good cubby holes for kids etc? I really want ideas so that it isn't just a box! I have a 6 mo DD and want her to be safe and have enough space to play without me worrying about mess for example.

Thanks in advance for your time and responses :-)

[scaryteacher]

They did a Grand Designs on this and it looked fab.

Loads more sockets than you think you need. Wi-fi throughout. A library and a sitting/sewing room just for me.

[Orbinator]

I think I saw the Hoff Haus one years ago, maybe I can find it on Grand Designs? I'm hoping to go for the more cottage-y look than too modern as not sure the neighbours would go for anything too glassy!

I'm with you on the sewing space. Wondering if I can get a conservatory and use that as a multi functional room for sewing and DD's play/paint room...

Do you think they do real fires? Not noticed chinmeys on them and not sure if it's just radiators.

[QuintessentialyHollow]

We have done a self build, but not a hanse house. The best bits we included were 2 storage rooms (with lots of shelving naturally), a pantry where I kept the freezer and other food items, etc, and a 12 m2 family bathroom with plenty of storage space, and a washing machine and a tumble drier. We stored all the towels, washing equipment in the bathroom, had an airer (the washing machine and tumble drier and airer were hiding behind sliding doors), and all the children's undies and pyjamas.

Be careful to stick to your budget. Get a big spreadsheet on the ready so that everytime you go for a more expensive option, like different flooring, different door knobs, you know where you are headed, and to make sure you even it out with lowering the standard/cost on other not so essential items.

Good luck.

[ImpYCelyn]

I'd love one of these. I saw the GD one and it was lovely.

I agree with lots and lots of sockets.
Carpets for DC bedrooms and playroom. Cunning storage - underfloor or benches, window seats that type of thing.
Lots of wide, deep drawers in the kitchen, they're more practical than cupboards.
And if it's open plan try to have a way to close off access to the kitchen. We're open plan and it's a nightmare with DS in and out of cupboards, the bin etc.
I would also have a library nook at least, and a crafty nook.
Also, again if it's open plan I would personally have somewhere other than my bedroom that can be childfree, just as an escape occasionally.

[Orbinator]

Thanks guys. I have to visit the factory in Frankfurt to pick out fittings which are apparently mostly Villeroy & Boch so have been looking at their site a bit today. It's hard to get an idea of what styles to go with at the moment though... My current house is Victorian and has loads of features so it's going to be weird choosing more modern styles!

So far all I really want is the conservatory and a boot/utility room with a seperate entrance when we are muddy and perhaps a decking area at the back. It probably will be quite open plan (compared to my Victorian house anyway!) but hoping to keep kitchen separate.

Is white a very very bad idea? My brain tells me yes with a small child, but I can't help looking at all white rooms and thinking how fresh it would look in a modern place?

[Orbinator]

Oh and look at this for nifty storage!
pinterest.com/pin/284852745150678234/

This project has also given me carte blanche on Pinterest

[pearlgirl]

We had similar understair storage built last September for all our shoes ( in a house of six you get lots of shoes) and I love it - we now have a clear hall.

[Flatbread]

Oh, wow! their houses look lovely. I have a soft corner for bungalows and love the first two designs. One of my dream projects is to buy a loch facing plot in Scotland and build a German prefab.

Do you mind sharing the cost per square foot? I had called Hoff Haus (sp?) when we had seen a plot, and they quoted £1200 a square foot, not including kitchen fittings. But everything else was included, I think.

Do keep us abreast on how it goes and if you are satisfied with Hanse Haus.

Btw, love the under stair storage!

[moonmother]

I'm very of you.

I was going to suggest pinterest as they have some lovely ideas on there. I've actually started a folder of design ideas on there just in case I ever get to fulfill my dream of a self build.

[Flatbread]

Oh, looked again at the insulation and heating. Love, love that you can use geothermal and solar. I am so It sounds like such a comfortable, warm way to live. No worries about drafty windows and cold spots.

[QuintessentialyHollow]

Our house had absolutely no cold spots, which was great. We had underfloor heating in the entire ground floor, which made the entire house warm throughout.

[Orbinator]

Have to say I won't miss the old drafty sash windows!
Haven't had the full quote in detail yet but looking at about (rough guide after initial meeting so have added £10k in my mind) £250k for a 4 bed - but due to planning perms may only get 3 bed.
He pretty much said the initial cost is a flat £190-200k and actually the more space you have the cheaper it is - 8 bed would be about £400k to build. Can't find any negative reviews on line so far!
Id decking a nightmare to clean btw?

[QuintessentialyHollow]

Decking is fine to clean. You might need to pressure wash and restain after a few years.

Have a close look at what the quote includes. For example, it may include Lino floors, or carpets. Then if you want wooding flooring, you might need to add to it. And tiles, they may include tiles up to £9 per square meter, but in reality, the tiles you like could cost a lot more, and you end up paying the difference.
Some quotes are even without skirting boards, would you believe it....

[Orbinator]

Thanks. I have wondered and asked if I can see a real brochure of various tiles, carpets etc so that I can budget but not heard back yet (only asked this morning) as I had an inkling they would do the majority of their up-selling on furnishing it.

Good to have a list of the things they may miss out on! Ta for the heads up on skirting boards...odd!

[AnnawakeFourkiller]

Don't forget to have a proper ground test before starting and then still be prepared for surprises. Our nice fittings budget has gone into 6 extra courses of foundations

And don't forget to budget for gardening & landscaping

[Orbinator]

Oh yes, I did ask about a small cellar but was told that would add £30k on for removal of mud alone! Madness!
So if you want any more mud...?
Good luck over there, sounds like you are in the thick of it all!

[AnnawakeFourkiller]

ouch for the cellar

we've been in for a few months and loving it - it's hard envisioning a space with nothing much to go on, but great fun too and very much worth it in terms of space and living (not so much in terms of market value though)

[mumummumum]

Hi can anyone please tell me if the approx £200,000 quote includes kitchen (cupboards, sink, worktop, cooker, fridge), bathroom (shower, bath) etc?

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

Zombie post ?!