Answers to all your questions
What is all included?
Almost everything! CIRCL builds your complete house, including the kitchen, bathroom and floors. We take care of all inspections and certificates, such as the energy certificate, blower door tests, and electricity checkup. What is not included s the cost of connecting the utilities, as well as the archtect's fee, which is charged separately. Moreover, furniture and lighting fixtures, except for light points and switches, are not included in construction.
Will my CIRCL home be custom-built?
Absolutely, every CIRCL home is custom-made, fully adapted to your plot and your family's needs. We strive to create unique and individual homes that perfectly suit your specific situation.
How energy efficient is my home?
CIRCL always builds with a negative E-level, which means your home is extremely energy efficient. You benefit from efficient heating and cooling thanks to our heat pump, and thanks to the solar panels on the roof, you even generate your own electricity. This keeps your energy bills low.
How long does it take to build a CIRCL home?
A CIRCL house is built on site in a span of 12 weeks. The total lead time, from the time the building application is approved to your move, is about 5 months. This includes the entire process from the start of construction to completion.
What about the quality of a CIRCL house?
At CIRCL, we attach great importance to quality. Every aspect of the home is carefully prepared and much of the construction is done under controlled conditions away from the influences of wind and weather. Only after strict quality checks are materials sent to the construction site. The end result is a perfectly finished home that meets or even outperforms any other home.
Is my plot suitable for CIRCL?
Sure! CIRCL builds on any type of plot in Belgium. Whether you want a detached house on a large plot of land, a semi-detached house against another house, or a terraced house between two other houses, we are able to realise your dream custom-made home. Take a look at all our completed projects to see some examples of what is possible.
Can I buy a CIRCL house shell only?
In principle, CIRCL builds the complete house, including kitchen, bathroom, floors and technical installations. If you choose not to complete attic or children's rooms yet, for example, this is certainly possible. We are happy to adapt to your wishes.
How high is the interior space?
CIRCL always provides at least 2.65 metres of free space, ensuring a sense of spaciousness and comfort in your home.
What can I do myself?
Normally, you don't have to arrange much yourself. CIRCL takes care of almost everything. But if you would like to add a personal touch to your home, you can, for instance, take care of the furnishing, such as choosing and installing lamps, painting, wallpapering, and other decorative adjustments. Let us know what you would like to do, and we will be happy to explore with you the possibilities of making your CIRCL home even more to your liking.
Do I need a building permit?
Yes, in Belgium, a building permit is always required for houses. But don't worry, CIRCL takes this worry off your hands. In collaboration with your architect, we take care of the necessary permits and take responsibility for the entire application process.
What else do I need to take care of myself?
CIRCL takes care of the entire construction process, including the kitchen, bathroom, floors, and even a carport. We also handle things like EPB (Energy Performance for Buildings), ground foundation works... Your only responsibility is to arrange connections for electricity, water and internet. Apart from that, you don't need to worry about anything.
Do I need an architect?
Yes, in Belgium, an architect is always required to design and build a house. If you already have an architect, that's perfect! We are happy to share information about the CIRCL concept with your architect, so they can work within our concept. Don't have an architect yet? Also perfectly fine! We are happy to refer you to architects who have already worked with us for other clients.
I'm an architect. Is CIRCL open for collaboration?
Yes! As architects, we would like to invite you to visit our show houses. We will discuss in detail how CIRCL works and how we can collaborate on projects.
What about VAT?
For CIRCL homes, the purchase is always taxed under the VAT system. The prevailing rate in Belgium is usually 21% VAT for a new-build property. In case you have bought an existing (dilapidated) property that you want CIRCL to demolish and rebuild, you may be eligible for the 6% VAT regime. VAT regulations can be quite complex, but we are happy to provide advice to determine which rate applies to your specific situation.
Liability in case of problems?
With CIRCL, you build with one reliable partner and always according to the Breyne Act. You have a fixed contact person who supervises your home from A to Z. We guarantee that the house will be delivered perfectly. If, after the provisional delivery, there is anything that is not quite right, the CIRCL team will make sure it is solved immediately. We enforce the rules of 10-year liability in construction.
Does my property contain solar panels?
Every CIRCL home comes with solar panels as standard, generating your own energy and making your home extremely energy efficient. If you want to go even further in sustainability, there is the option of adding extra solar panels on top of the standard package.
How does heating work?
We use the most sustainable heat pump technology to heat and cool your home. This technology keeps your home warm in winter and cool in summer, while keeping your energy bills affordable. CIRCL homes are highly energy efficient and have a negative E-level.
Is CIRCL also building my garage?
Indoor garages do not usually contribute to the energy performance of the house, but if necessary, we can integrate them. We are also happy to provide a carport for your car, which is an excellent alternative.
Is CIRCL also doing my garden?
For the design and construction of your garden, we prefer to work with specialists. However, CIRCL does take care of the property itself, including any carport, driveway and a fence for your garden. As soon as you receive the key to your new home, you or your gardener can get straight to work landscaping the outdoor space.
Does CIRCL also do renovations?
CIRCL focuses mainly on the new construction of entire houses. For partial renovations, we recommend working with other contractors. However, if you are considering a total renovation, where you want to completely demolish and rebuild an existing house, you have come to the right place with CIRCL!
Is there a green roof?
CIRCL can install a green roof on flat roofs, or parts of the roof, depending on your specific home and solar panel options.
