Many have to calculate hard when building a house. Saving a few thousand euros can be important. Personal contributions can make this possible – but you shouldn’t have too high expectations.
Own work instead of expensive craftsmen, who are currently still in short supply – does this calculation work for builders? Experts are skeptical that taking on tasks in house construction or in the context of renovations can replace the work of specialist companies. But experienced and talented do-it-yourselfers can save a few euros by doing their own work.
Don’t expect pro results
The “muscle mortgage” is particularly suitable for work that requires a lot of personnel but can also be done without a great deal of specialist knowledge. Many paint and wallpaper, lay floors or help with insulating the roof. Some also dare to lay the tiles.
Nonetheless, Klaus-Jürgen Edelhäuser from the Bavarian Chamber of Engineers says: “Personal work is not a cure for the current staff shortages in construction companies and craftsmen. It’s not for nothing that there are various professions that require long training periods,” he says. “With the best will in the world, amateurs cannot quickly acquire the specialist knowledge that painters, bricklayers, tilers, roofers or electricians have.”
Calculate realistically
You also have to lower your expectations financially. “Big money” cannot be saved by doing things yourself, says Klaus-Jürgen Edelhäuser.
This is because the major cost items in building a house are accounted for by work that usually has to be carried out by professionals. But not only. In practice, the work that relatives and friends do often does not remain unpaid – one agrees on small helper wages for all the effort and time that they invest. In addition, losses of expensive materials can occur due to a lack of knowledge, uncertainties and clumsiness.
Whether doing your own work ultimately leads to significant cost savings when it comes to construction financing depends heavily on the craftsmanship, the time available and the commitment of the builder and his environment.
Anyone with manual skills can take on a lot of work. But you should offset the effort, especially if you are already very busy with work and family. Engineer Klaus-Jürgen Edelhäuser therefore advises: “If you are not sure that you really want this, you should not allow yourself to be persuaded to do your own work.”
Try what suits you
But the money isn’t the only reason to lend a hand. Many builders enjoy being involved in the creation of their own home. And you can learn a lot, for example in online courses. Robert Raschke-Kremer, trainer at the DIY Academy in Cologne, therefore advises trying out what suits you before deciding on certain personal contributions.
Even those who are not very skilled with their hands but are physically fit will still find enough fields of activity. In the case of renovations and conversions, this includes, for example, preparatory work such as tearing down old wallpaper and floor coverings or dismantling built-in components. Builders can also take on jobs for craftsmen, such as smoothing walls and floors or milling slots for electrical wiring.
“It is important to discuss this with the construction companies beforehand and to clarify all liability issues. Because the specialist companies only accept liability for their own work, not for that of the client,” advises Klaus-Jürgen Edelhäuser.
Arrange in detail with the construction company
Before signing the contract, you should list exactly what you want to do yourself. This must then be coordinated with the contractual partner and laid down in detail in the contract, explains the Association of Private Builders (VPB). It is particularly important to precisely define the interfaces between external and in-house services, in terms of both timing and organization.
And it must be ensured that the personal work does not disrupt the construction process, but rather fits in smoothly. “It’s not easy, because lay people usually need at least twice as long as experienced craftsmen,” says DIY trainer Robert Raschke-Kremer.
The financial questions must also be clarified in advance so that it is clear what the value of the personal contributions will be in the end. “Many construction companies are willing to get the builders involved, also because they are currently having difficulties finding staff,” says engineer Klaus-Jürgen Edelhäuser. “But then it has to be negotiated how they are paid – by time, as a lump sum or possibly with a discount from the final price.”
take out insurance
If helpers from family and friends support the builder-owner with their own work, the builder must insure them and himself. “Because private individuals who work on their own behalf on their construction site are not protected by statutory accident insurance,” according to the Association of Private Builders. “You have to protect yourself with private accident insurance or voluntary insurance with the trade association.”
