Join our unique guesthouse and community space , exploring the local area near Bad Zwischenahn, Germany

Details

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  Description

  🛠 Help with renovation, cleaning & house-sitting at a guesthouse in Northern Germany
  
  Hi there! 👋
  I'm Dirk, and I’m transforming an old countryside guesthouse in the Ammerland region (near Oldenburg & Bad Zwischenahn) into a unique place combining rural charm, comfort, and sustainability.
  
  At the moment, we’re entering a major renovation phase — and that’s where I need your help!
  This means: real construction work, not just painting and decorating.
  If you’re reliable, practical, and not afraid of getting your hands dirty, this could be a great opportunity for you.
  
  What I love about this place is its peaceful setting, surrounded by nature. In fact, the beautiful lake "Zwischenahner Meer" is just a 15-minute bike ride away, and I’ll make sure you have a bike to explore the area. I’m sure you’ll enjoy being part of this project, both in terms of the work and the surroundings.
  
  💪 What I’m looking for
  - EU citizens only (I’m currently not accepting non-EU applicants because of visa and insurance complications)
  - Minimum stay: 3 months, ideally longer
  - People who are physically fit and used to practical, hands-on work
  - Independent workers who can also take responsibility when I’m not around
  - Couples are welcome if both are equally motivated to work in a physical renovation-job ;-)
  - Not afraid of dust, mud, or long days — it’s a real renovation project 😉
  
  💶 Pay & conditions
  - €14/hour
  - About 40 hours/month on average — flexible scheduling possible
  - Official minijob contract (German tax ID and health insurance required)
  - You’ll be responsible for your own meals (shared kitchen available)
  
  Accommodation is provided in the main house.
  As renovation progresses, you might need to change rooms occasionally — sometimes it’s very comfortable, sometimes a bit more basic for a while. But we’ll always find a good solution!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  House sitting
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  🏡 About the place
  The place is located in Ekern / Bad Zwischenahn, surrounded by trees, fields, and old farm buildings.
  The beautiful lake Zwischenahner Meer is just a 15-minute bike ride away. You’ll get a bike for local trips and shopping (about 10 minutes to the next supermarket).
  
  This is a quiet, rural area — perfect if you enjoy nature and peaceful surroundings rather than nightlife.
  
  🌱 Cultural exchange (with realistic expectations)
  We have a warm and friendly atmosphere here, and I love to exchange ideas and cultures.
  However, please note: due to my other responsibilities in a second job and and family life, I’m not always around for daily interaction or regular social events.
  So if you’re very independent and comfortable working on your own sometimes, you’ll fit in well.
  
  What we hope to learn from you:
  Hosting people from different cultures enriches us as a team. We’re curious to hear your ideas, share stories about your home country, and learn about your traditions. We believe in the mutual benefit of cultural exchange and hope you bring your own unique perspective to our guest-house and gardens! :)
  
  We look forward to creating lasting memories and building something special together.

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

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  Help

  🔨 The main tasks
  
  Over the next few months, most help will be focused on renovation and manual work, such as:
  
  - removing wallpaper and floor coverings
  - cleaning and organizing the construction site
  - carrying construction materials and tools
  - assisting with painting, plastering, and minor repairs
  - helping to install insulation, drywall (Rigips), flooring, etc.
  - transporting waste to the recycling yard
  - preparing building materials and tools
  
  In addition, there are recurring cleaning, gardening and house-sitting duties, for example:
  - cleaning and preparing the guest apartments (sometimes independently)
  - laundry (washing, drying, folding)
  - taking out trash and recycling
  - basic garden or outdoor tidying (sweeping, picking up litter)
  - checking that windows are closed and lights/heating are off in the evening
  - letting craftsmen in or keeping an eye on deliveries
  - keeping shared spaces in order
  
  After some time, I would expect a proactive attitude — people who can see what needs to be done without being told every detail :-)

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Danish: Beginner
  Spanish: Beginner
  French: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  You will have a room in the main house. As we are currently renovating, it can be that you need to switch rooms from time to time as the renovation progresses. Most of the time, you will have a small private bathroom for yourself, occasionally it can be a shared bathroom. The kitchen is a shared one.
  
  With all the essentials provided—from cookware to bedding—you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. The nearest supermarket is just a 10-minute bike ride away, so you can easily stock up on groceries and enjoy cooking at your own pace. A bike will be provided for you to explore the area and run errands.
  
  We aim to create a relaxing and welcoming environment, where you can unwind after a day of helping out on the project, or even take advantage of the surrounding nature for a quiet retreat.

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  What else ...

  If you’re looking for:
  ✅ real, physical work on a meaningful renovation project
  ✅ fair pay and proper work conditions
  ✅ rural life in Northern Germany
  ✅ a mix of responsibility, independence, and creativity
  
  ...then I’d love to hear from you.
  
  This is not a relaxed artistic project right now — it’s about construction, reliability, and getting things done.
  But if that’s your thing, you’ll definitely enjoy the sense of progress and teamwork here!
  
  Looking forward to meeting you and building something great together!
  — Dirk
  
  PS:
  On your days off, there’s plenty to explore in the local area. The beautiful lake "Zwischenahner Meer" is only a 15-minute bike ride away, perfect for swimming, hiking, or just enjoying the scenic views.
  Oldenburg as a vibrant student-city is also pretty close and offers a mix of historical sites, cafes, and local markets for you to explore.
  
  You’ll have access to a bike to make getting around easy. Public transportation is very convenient—there’s a bus stop right in front of the house, and from Bad Zwischenahn, you can catch a train that takes you through Oldenburg and directly to Bremen, perfect for day trips or exploring the region further.
  
  As for house rules, we keep things quite relaxed and informal. We simply ask that you respect each other’s space and that the guests can actually relax without unnecessary noise, and that shared areas are kept clean.
  We value collaboration, creativity, and mutual respect, so feel free to share your ideas for the project! Your input and energy are always welcome.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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