If you want to realise your dream of owning your own four walls, you will soon be faced with a whole lot of paperwork. Permits have to be obtained, the financing has to be right and everything has to be carefully documented. It's easy to lose track of everything.
Before you can even lay the first stone, you must first obtain the necessary permits. The most important is probably the building permit. In addition to an official site plan, you need various building plans and calculations from the architect or civil engineer. It is extremely important that the documents are complete and signed. Otherwise, costly delays can quickly occur. By the way, you should keep the permits in a safe place, as you will need them again for further permits, among other things.
You would need these documents for a building permit, for example:
As a rule, such a large construction project cannot be financed out of your own pocket. In order to get the necessary loan from your bank, you must also submit some documents to prove your creditworthiness. In addition to your last three income statements, you must also submit your last tax return, proof of equity capital and other lenders, and the documents on your building project. Entrepreneurs must also submit other documents, such as a balance sheet with a profit and loss statement. In order to get financing as quickly as possible, you should start at least six months in advance to carefully keep all documents and manage them sensibly so that you have them at hand by the deadline. To give you an overview of which documents you need, you can find a list here.
Of course, you don't just throw away the notarised purchase deed. But you should also keep all other documents, such as tradesmen's invoices, because they can save you money. The invoices and receipts can help you later to determine the value of the house if you want to sell it again at some point. In addition, you can deduct the labour costs of the craftsmen (up to a maximum of €6,000) from your taxes. However, material and travel costs are excluded, with a few exceptions, such as the materials for your study.
As a general rule, it is better not to throw anything away! It is very likely that you will need most of the documents again later. In addition, even as a private person, there is a retention period of at least 2 years for many documents.
In this case, it is advisable to save the documents digitally, as it is quite possible that you will still need some documents 30 years later.
Botched construction is the nightmare of every builder. To protect yourself from this, you should not only keep your documents, but also take regular photos of the construction site. Make sure to include the necessary information, i.e. date and description. The start and completion dates of the orders can also be helpful in retrospect. You can then present the documentation in the event of a dispute. If this is still too uncertain for you, it is advisable to commission an expert with the documentation, who can also provide an expert opinion.
Photographs of the pipes and cables can also help you to visualise the course of the pipes and cables later on in the event of alterations or damage. These are important aids, especially for tradesmen, and can save you a lot of money.
Do you have any suggestions yourself on how to get a grip on your paperwork when building a house, or have you had your own experiences with it? Then post it in the comments!
