Single-family houses up to €120,000 – what can you build for the price of an apartment?
Why does the myth of the million-dollar house still scare people?
In the public consciousness, there is still a lingering image of construction as a process lasting years, full of unforeseen costs and consuming seven-figure sums. This perception is deeply rooted in the experiences of past generations who built houses using traditional masonry methods over a decade. Today's media, showing celebrity villas, only reinforces this stereotype. My clients often come to the first meeting convinced that a budget of €120,000 is, at most, a down payment. When I show them that for this amount you can build a fully functional, modern house, their perspective changes 180 degrees. It's simple math. The price of a square meter of an apartment in a major European city is now €3,000-€4,000. This means a 65-square-meter flat costs nearly €250,000! Meanwhile, modern construction technologies allow you to bring the cost per square meter of a house down to around €1,000-€1,200. The key to breaking the myth is not seeking magical savings, but changing the definition of the construction process. Instead of thinking about bricks and endless labor, you need to embrace prefabrication and optimization.
What exactly do you get for €120,000 in timber frame technology?
Let's talk specifics. The amount of €120,000 is not a virtual promise, but a real budget for building a house to the so-called developer standard. In our prefabricated timber frame technology, this means you receive a building ready on the outside and prepared for finishing works inside. Analyzing the house construction costs in 2026, it turns out that a full-sized Ekodom 110 is cheaper than an average apartment in many cities. Such modern single-family houses are perfect examples. For a 110 m² house, we provide a complete, precisely made structure of certified C24 timber, insulation meeting the latest energy standards, full roofing, windows (triple-glazed as standard), doors, and facade. Inside, we complete all installations: electrical, water, sewage, mechanical ventilation with recuperation, and a heating system, usually based on a heat pump. The walls are finished with plasterboard, and floors have screeds. This is where a developer would hand you the keys to an apartment. The difference? Instead of 70 meters with a small balcony, you have 110 meters with your own garden.
| Element | Timber frame house up to €120k (Developer standard) | Developer apartment for €120k |
|---|---|---|
| Area | approx. 90-120 m² | approx. 40-50 m² |
| Structure and Roof | Complete, ready structure with roof | Shared part of a multi-family building |
| Windows and Doors | Yes, triple-glazed, secure | Yes, basic developer standard |
| Internal Installations | Complete (Electric, water-sewage, heating, ventilation) | Complete (brought to the unit) |
| Garden / Balcony | Private plot with garden | Balcony or small terrace |
| Independence | Full (no neighbors behind the wall) | Limited (neighbors, community rules) |
What are the hidden costs you don't see when comparing a house to an apartment?
The purchase price is just the beginning. The real game is about TCO – Total Cost of Ownership. Here, an energy-efficient timber frame house outclasses an apartment. When buying a flat, you agree to a monthly, fixed, and growing expense in the form of administrative fees or "condo fees." These are amounts of €150-€250 per month. Over 30 years of mortgage repayment, you give the administration the equivalent of a luxury car. In the case of a house, the only fixed cost is property tax, which is incomparably lower. The second aspect is heating costs. A modern timber frame house with good insulation and a heat pump can have annual heating costs of €400-€600. Meanwhile, heating a 60m² apartment in an older building can cost the same or more, plus the high administrative fees. Of course, a house requires garden maintenance, but these expenses are under your full control, unlike unpredictable rent hikes.
What is the process and schedule for a budget-friendly house?
Another argument for prefabricated timber frame technology is time and predictability. These are the keys to keeping the budget in check. Traditional construction carries risks – rising material prices and weather delays. A contract for a timber frame house is, in 99% of cases, a lump sum contract. This means the price agreed at the start is final. Moreover, the process is incredibly fast. From the moment our team enters the prepared foundation slab to handing over the keys in developer standard, only 3-4 months pass. You can finalize everything in one season. Compare this to waiting two years for an apartment block. During those two years, you pay mortgage installments for a flat you don't have yet while paying rent elsewhere. In a fast house build, this period of double costs is minimized. This saving, often overlooked, can amount to €15,000-€20,000. It is through such process optimization, not a reduction in quality, that single-family houses up to €120,000 become an extremely attractive alternative to city living.
