Building a new house is often cheaper than buying a house, but it’s still an enormous investment. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to reduce the cost of a new house, starting with the structural work. In this article, you discover everything about the costs and how to keep things affordable.

<h2>The cost of the structural work: a rough estimation</h2><p>There is no standard when it comes to structural work. How much you will pay depends on the <strong>materials</strong>, <strong>the contractors’ price…</strong> But, there is a point of reference to measure the affordability of a new house: the price per m2. In general, the price per m2 is €1.000 - €3.000 per m2 for a living area and about €500 for a non-living area (cellar, garage, storage…).&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p>Watch out: this estimation <strong>includes the finishing.</strong> To know the price of the structural work itself, you can use the following balance.</p></blockquote><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Structural work vs. overall budget: the balance</h2><p>Keep in mind that the structural work constitutes approximately half of the overall budget, or about <strong>€500 - €750 per m2</strong>. The biggest part goes to the <strong>masonry</strong>, which makes about 1/5 of the cost. Secondly, it’s the <strong>roof works</strong> (10% of the overall budget). Furthermore, there are the groundwork, sewerage, concrete and insulation.</p>

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<h2>How to reduce the structural costs</h2><ul><li><strong>DIY</strong>! By helping the contractor, you can save a lot of money, up to one third of the price of the structural work. It all depends on what you do yourself. Possible tasks are: moving bricks, placing roof tiles…</li><li><strong>Comparison is the way to go!</strong> If you compare different offers, you’re a winner. Whether it’s about the materials you buy or the contractors you choose. If you compare different options, you win!</li><li><strong>Grants are a must.</strong> The cost of the structural work must not be underestimated, but the grants of the government can help a lot.</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p>Tip: if you choose a turn-key company, you’ll never be surprised and you will have a budget overview all the time.</p></blockquote>

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Reducing the cost of the structural work? Keep this in mind!

Protecting your car against the weather? Time to build a garage or carport! Of course, you want to avoid as much administration as you possibly can. Luckily, it is possible to build a garage without a license, as long as it fulfils certain conditions. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know!

<h2>Conditions for building without a license</h2><p>Good news: chances are you can have your garage built without a license. You won’t need one if:</p><ul><li>The surface of the garage <strong>does not exceed 40 m2.</strong></li><li>The building has a <strong>maximum height of 3,5 m.</strong></li><li>The garage is located <strong>at least 3 m from the side boundary</strong> of your plot.</li><li>The garage is <strong>located at least 1 m from the back boundary</strong> of your plot.</li></ul>

<p><strong>Do you meet the conditions mentioned above? Good news! You don’t need a license.</strong> If this means your garage will be a little smaller or shorter than you wanted at first, you can choose a Full Omnium insurance to make sure everything is covered ;-)</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Duty of notification: sometimes it’s enough</h2><p>Important sidenote: the garage or carport cannot be <strong>directly attached to your house</strong>. In that case, you will have to notify your municipality that you have building plans. Luckily, you don’t need a planning permission.&nbsp;</p><p>Another important sidenote: your garage has to be <strong>next to or behind your house</strong>. If it’s in front of the house, you always need a license, even if it meets the conditions mentioned above.</p>

<p>Too much information? Let’s sum up:</p><ul><li><strong>No compulsory licensing nor duty of notification</strong>: a detached garage next to or behind the house that fulfils the conditions.</li><li>Just duty of notification: a garage or carport next to or behind the house that is attached to the house.</li><li><strong>Compulsory licensing</strong>: a garage in front of the house or a garage that doesn’t meet the conditions.</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Do you want to avoid compulsory licensing? Keep in mind that <strong>no one can live in your garage</strong>, not even for one night. In that case, it’s a living area which means you need a license.&nbsp;</p>

Building a garage without a license: these are the conditions

Your interior greatly influences your house. Your options in your house are endless. When discussing the interior finish, we will focus on the bathroom, kitchen and living room, but also on the interior doors, stairs, floors and accessories. You do not know which curtains or mirrors you want to have? You have doubts whether to choose a stove or a gas fire? Find much inspiration here and discover many ideas!

Interior and interior finish

In the past gardens and terraces were only used in summer, but now we live more outside throughout the year. You can also stay in the garden in winter because of patio roofs, pool houses and garden houses. Looking for inspiration for your driveway, gate or general garden design? Then find everything here!

In the garden

It will become increasingly important to examine your choices regarding energy & climate. Perhaps you prefer a solar pump, heat pump or solar boiler? Or even a home battery and charging station. Here are ideas for low-energy options in your house!

Energy and climate

Want a (total) renovation? We will give you the necessary inspiration. We have ideas enough to know what is suitable for you and what you want, whether it concerns a bathroom renovation, loft design or a house extension,. Be inspired and start to dream about your renovated place.

Renovation projects

The summers in Belgium may be hotter than in the past, but a good heating system is still vital. Do you prefer a central heating or perhaps a floor heating? Do you know about loft heating? And do not forget the plumbing, so that you can always take a hot bath, whenever you want. You are here at the right address: be inspired about tailor-made heating systems!

Plumbing and heating

The garden of your dreams is very likely to also include water, in the form of a swimming pool, swimming pond or wellness with a sauna and jacuzzi. Water gives an extra dimension to a garden, and has a great surplus value. Find the most beautiful swimming pools and ponds and wellness ideas in this column. It will wet your appetite!

Water and wellness

Electricity is perhaps the basis of modern housing comfort. Without electricity you have no lighting, informatics and telephony, and also no domotics, alarm systems or camera surveillance. Electricity is the key factor for the comfort in and security of your house. Be inspired by the latest gadgets and must-haves in the field of electricity and security.

Electricity, domotics and security

A beautiful facade, roof or kitchen is one thing, but their maintenance is another thing. Cleaning companies, window washers and handymen can help you out. Does your facade or roof have to be cleaned or do your solar panels have to be polished, but are you always postponing it? Here you discover what a difference a thorough maintenance can make. It will make your house almost new again.

Cleaning and maintenance

Time for a new floor? Time to make choices. Do you want tiles or do you prefer parquet? Cast floors and mortex can be used very well in a functional interior. Find many ideas and much inspiration here, but remember: keep both feet on the ground, otherwise you will float away.

Floor and tiling

Build a house from A to Z? That takes some thinking. Discover the most beautiful new-housing projects and turnkey houses and your options. Choose between various building techniques, such as timber frame construction, passive houses and BEN houses. Quickly find handy ideas for an interior and exterior matching the dimensions of your new house!

New-housing projects

A roof reflects the representative quality of your house, together with the façade. It is your business card, as it were. This is why we will examine the roof covering of your choice. Thatched roofs, slates and roof tiles are great classics, but green roofs are also becoming more popular. Discover the most beautiful roofs, including skylights. Do you want a roof renovation and will roofing be carried out soon?

Roof works

Although you look forward to finishing a new-housing project or renovation, you must start at the beginning. Demolitions, ground works, structural work and drillings are actually very important. Also do not forget the terrain and the sewerage works!

Structural work shell and terrain

When we are outside, we want sun all the time, but inside we prefer to keep it cool. The solution? Awning, sunshades or shutters. However, curtains or traditional shutters also help quite a bit, requiring no an extra investment. Discover which system you prefer, and also get much inspiration!

Shutters and awning

The outside joinery is the cherry on the cake of a façade. Well-chosen windows and doors in wood, aluminium or PVC, a shining veranda or solid garage gate also determine the character of your house. Find inspiration for tailor-made outside joinery, according to your wishes, and the latest trends!

Outside joinery

A façade reflects the representative quality of your house, together with the roof. This is why it is important to make the right choices in façade work or façade renovations. Whether you choose traditional masonry, rough coating or a mat façade, it is always good to have examples. See the most beautiful façades and find many ideas and much inspiration for your ideal façade!

Façade work

Insulation work on your house is necessary to experience long-term comfort. You can reduce your energy invoice substantially with a good roof insulation. But that’s not all: we will also discuss floor insulation and wall insulation. Discover here how you can best insulate your house and which method is suitable for your project or problem. The options for insulation are endless.

Insulation work

With a renovation or building project you are building on your future, You may often come into contact with confusing terms and legislation. No panic, this is normal. Everything you want to know about coordination, regulations and inspections you can find here and at Offrea.

Study and building coordination

Building, converting and renovating without material? This is like a café without beer. And just like a café gets its beer from the brewer, you get your material from a professional. You are here at the right address for renting machines, scaffolds, equipment and site toilets. With the right material you (or your professional) will realise your project in no time.

Sales and rental

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