Building a house from a distance. New construction 300 km away.

From my point of view, when there is a great distance between the current place of residence and the construction site, one cannot avoid a few points: 1. Building with a general contractor (everything from one source): This way, at least some basic responsibilities are clear. 2. Very detailed planning of all trades - with written documentation of the defined executions. 3. Presence on site for the sensitive trades - documentation of agreed points ON site (with protocol): There is simply no other way - so invest holidays (it is worth it). 4. Almost constant availability of the client in case of emerging uncertainties: This also applies when you are not on site. 5. Someone "on site": So that even in the local absence, someone at least keeps an eye on things.

You and your WhatsApp all the time. My craftsmen often don’t even have that...

Shell builder: luckily has an email and lives a 5-minute bike ride away.

Carpenter: I wanted to fax him something on Thursday, didn’t work, asked if he had email, answer: nah, I can’t handle that, fax machine hasn’t worked for quite a while. When do you finish on Friday? 12:00? Okay, I’ll be just on the construction site then, just pop by briefly.

Electrician: I don’t even have a phone number for him, if something comes up, I drive to his home and we discuss the details in his kitchen.

Heating technician: he’s the exception, he has WhatsApp. Hasn’t used it yet, I prefer to go to his company or we meet at the site.

I have zero knowledge of the different trades either, but I’m glad to be able to be on site every day. You notice quite a lot that you can quickly intervene on. Current example: electrician chased two sockets exactly where the sink is supposed to go in the utility room, if I hadn’t stepped in, it would have gone wrong.

300 km distance I see as difficult, even if you don’t have your own expertise, there’s quite a bit to correct. Besides, I imagine craftsmen are a bit more careful if you’re on site more often.

With the right general contractor though, certainly doable. But they should maybe be one with a very good reputation and therefore possibly a bit more expensive.

WhatsApp has changed a lot. above all, it has made things easier. Many of us had WhatsApp. The painters and plasterers all received smartphones last year. Privately, well, most of it is really junk, professionally a dream. Not every builder can or wants to be on the construction site during housebuilding. Also, not every boss is always there. It's just 2 pictures, do you want option 1 or 2 I still need a box from the picture with the number

Our craftsmen had no WA except the tiler. I myself don't even have WA^^. From some craftsmen, we didn't even have a number, but I was also on the construction site (renovation) every day. I was usually there longer than the craftsmen themselves, which made things a lot easier.

1. Construction with GU (everything from one source): At least some basic responsibilities are clear this way.

Yes, that should hopefully be clear: "Remote" AND "individual contracts" would probably be a guarantee for surprises and/or nervous breakdowns

then add an architect newbie, and chewed-up table edges are guaranteed.