Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

Many municipalities/providers want it as proof. For us, it was not mandatory, but in the neighboring municipality it already was.

Just last week a bill came in for almost 500€ for just 1.5 hours of work + 45 minutes travel time: sewage pipe sealing test.

I just checked; we (house construction in postal code 0457x) paid 177 euros gross.

And all the water they pumped in (which was of course not little (and that in the very dry summer) we also had to pay for ourselves on top of that :(

At that point I had to laugh while reading (and it was funny to watch in reality too :) ): One of their giant employees borrowed a tiny little watering can, a little brightly colored children's toy watering can, with a capacity of maybe max. 400ml, partially filled it with water and let it run through. The water came out again at the end and we could have even collected and reused it. ;-) However, he also had to climb down into a pit for the money. ;-)

Many municipalities/providers want it as proof. For us it was not mandatory, in the neighboring municipality it was.

For us this test is also mandatory.

And here are our energy provider prices from 01.01.23: --------------------------------------------------------- Electricity consumption price: previously gross 27.78 --> from 01.01.23 gross 48.06 Gas consumption price: previously gross 12.65 --> from 01.01.23 gross 18.96 (The basic price remains the same with both providers. We also do not have a special contract, but are still initially in basic and substitute supply.)

Many municipalities/providers want it as proof. For us it was not compulsory, but in the neighboring municipality it was.

Of course I informed myself beforehand, called the municipality and architect. You have to do it for new buildings. I could have done that myself... 500€ gone for nothing. And the existing buildings next door, over 100-200 years old with ancient - probably leaky - pipes, are exempt from this requirement. Such nonsense!!!

I was predicted 5000kwh electricity for a new building by the heater... 155sqm, kfw55

Local heating costs 8.9 cents kwh... Heat pump tariff currently not under 50 cents kwh

With an average annual performance factor of 3...

If the heating engineer designs as well as he knows, that could be accurate. Annual performance factor 3 is a renovated old building, new building has an annual performance factor of 4. Also much too high heat demand as noted by a previous poster. He has 15,000kwh demand, i.e. 100/m2, which is also a renovated old building. Realistic is more like 50kwh/m2, resulting in 7,500kwh, with an annual performance factor of 4 at 1,900kwh electricity. So about 1,000€ per year for heating at the currently expensive price. For that it will rather become cheaper again and you are not, as with local heating, completely at the mercy of the provider. Local heating would be 700€ for the 7,500kwh, each of course without basic fee.

Yes, exactly, the general contractor also wanted us to check with our wastewater association. The tightness test is not mandatory for us, but the connection to the network is handled by the wastewater association, and they can see if the execution is okay. Ultimately, they are not liable for it, but you yourself/the civil engineer/general contractor are.

It's just maddening right now..

I really wonder where this is all heading..

Heating costs have doubled, luckily only 130 euros per month.

2x car insurance 200 euros more. Luckily one is paid off and the 2nd car only costs 220 euros per month.

Household electricity hasn't changed yet but there will definitely be an increase. So probably 100 euros more per month.

All insurances significantly more expensive.

The municipal utilities have also already announced price increases for trash and wastewater.

Leisure activities for the kids are either canceled or you reconsider twice.. because it's expensive.

For the older one, swimming is suspended for 3 months because the replacement heater can't handle it and the gas heater at the school is broken, replacement parts are not available.

Yesterday at gymnastics in another school, 12.8 degrees in the hall.

Shopping feels about 30% more expensive, Christmas market mulled wine 4 euros.. a sausage in a bun 6.5 euros.

Vacation this year, oh dear, sure you can stay in Germany but every region that offers a bit of something is super expensive. If you want to go away eg Turkey 2 weeks from 5000 euros for 4 people. Alternatively by car to Croatia or Italy, with fuel prices and room prices on site it’s no better.

In 2019 we were in Galtür in December 880 euros for 1 week. The same hotel this year in January 3400 euros for 5 nights. Okay holiday surcharge.

Luckily we have a good income, but even there it’s coming to an end, if one of us gets seriously ill then good night.

Enough venting..