Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

Well. The truth also includes the fact that in most cases there is then an ugly, a random Ikea lamp or a lamp that was briefly trendy years ago, on the ceiling. I haven’t been able to stand this “we wrap the lamp cable around a wooden branch” look (tbc) for a while now. In very few cases do people then settle for “at least no expensive spots.”

Lamps are also the crux of furnishing. Who can afford Occhi or Ingo Maurer? I am a big fan of our recessed spot basic lighting, when you’re looking for a Lego piece or a small screw or need to clean thoroughly. Ambient lighting alone is sometimes just impractical. Otherwise, I don’t notice the spots at all.

But you don't have to inherit for that. Anyone who has 35€ for the registration can start a company.

That's true. Most of the local craftsmen companies here have grown over generations. I don't find that bad at all. The contacts and the investment in equipment represent quite a significant barrier to entry. The fact that employed craftsmen don't make a golden nose despite the shortage of such workers is not really a new insight. Parallels in nursing professions certainly exist. As an average tiler, you have to work about 3 hours to afford about one hour of tiling work.

Well. The truth also includes that in most cases there is then an ugly, any random Ikea lamp or a lamp that was briefly trendy years ago on the ceiling. I haven’t been able to stand this “we wrap the lamp cable around a wooden log” look (tbc) for a while now. In very few cases do people then settle for “at least no expensive spots.”

That people keep taking their own taste as a reference is by now just ridiculous. If someone is happy with Ikea furniture, fine.. just as if someone wants a thuja or cherry laurel hedge around their city villa.

The fact that the employed craftsman does not earn a fortune despite the lack of demand is not really a new insight. Parallels in the care professions certainly exist. As an average tiler, you have to work about 3 hours to afford about one hour of tile laying.

But that’s how it is everywhere. When I look at the price at which a day of project work is offered here, I couldn’t afford my own time for long either. It’s clear. First, one sixth of the end customer price goes to VAT. Then you subtract the fixed costs of a company: office, workshop, warehouse, vehicles, special tools, marketing and sales. Travel and loading times, because neither the craftsman nor his materials and tools are beamed to the construction site. Then you subtract 6 weeks of paid vacation, 2-3 weeks of holidays and a few sick days. And then the ancillary wage costs. And on the employee side, taxes and social security contributions. I don’t find a ratio of 1:3 that bad at all.

The fact that one's own taste is taken as a reference again is by now already ridiculous. If someone is happy with Ikea furniture, so be it... just as equally if someone wants a thuja or cherry laurel hedge around their city villa.

Clean, you half got my point about the criticism of ceiling spots.

Exactly that! Sure, there is free pricing. But if you see in the gasoline price app that the liter of premium is currently 1.70, start driving - and then realize that the 45-minute time window is over and now 1.80 must be paid... That should at least not be possible in a social market economy.

Now all that is missing is that the price at the gas station must remain unchanged from Monday 8 a.m. for 7 days. The hourly game of change to rip off customers is getting worse and worse