Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

We are currently in talks with the shell builder. The first offer is now about 2 weeks old and after yesterday's conversation, the information came under the table that he will improve it again because he has received new price lists. As an example, he mentioned the sand-lime brick, where prices have been adjusted downwards by 5%. He hasn't experienced this in the last 5-6 years.

You are building in single-trade contracting, am I hearing that correctly? It is probably not wrong in the current situation, where prices are partially coming down again. With a signed fixed price with a general contractor, this would not be possible.

You are doing separate contracts for each trade, am I hearing that correctly? Given the current situation where prices are partly coming down again, that might not be a bad idea. With a signed fixed price contract with a general contractor, that wouldn’t be possible.

Exactly. We do everything in separate contracts. It’s simply because we can do a lot ourselves, such as plumbing/electrical/interior work, etc. In addition, we have good contacts with heating companies, roofers, structural engineers, architects, etc. Therefore, a general contractor simply didn’t make sense for us, even though the effort/coordination is naturally greater.

We are currently in talks with the shell builder. The first offer is now about 2 weeks old and after yesterday's conversation, we received the information unofficially that he will revise it again because he has received new price lists. As an example, he mentioned the sand-lime brick, for which prices were adjusted downwards by 5%. He said he hasn't experienced this in the last 5-6 years.

Fair. Just wait and see if he really adjusts it.

We are also noticing a price decline in photovoltaic modules. We have an offer for around 16k with modules for 15kWp, a storage with just under 10kW and an inverter. Of course, the whole thing is self-assembled, together with our electrician, who will also do the acceptance.

Do you already have the electrician’s offer? Self-assembly... are you a professional? If not... oh dear... Could be the oldest trick in the world: Let the amateur do it and then say, "Oh God! That doesn’t work, I have to redo everything according to DIN VDE. Invoice coming..."

Interest rates: We finalized our financing 2 weeks ago. We have now accepted a final interest rate of 3.75%. Of course still more than last year’s 1-2% interest rates, but not yet 4.5%. However, I have already heard from acquaintances that they were offered 4.3% in northern Germany. We are located in East Westphalia/South Westphalia.

Interest rates are currently jumping wildly back and forth. You got a relatively good interest rate. But right now it’s more a question of days or even times of the day...

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Do you already have the electrician's offer? Self-assembly... are you a professional? If not... oh dear...
Could be the oldest trick in the world, you let the layman do it and then say "Oh God! This doesn't work, I have to redo everything according to DIN VDE. Invoice coming..."

Yes, we know the electrical company personally and everything has been agreed upon that way. The procurement is also handled through this electrician. My task will rather relate to handing over, etc. So no worries. A professional is involved.

Grmpf... I let my plumbing order sit in the cart for a few days because I wanted to wait for feedback on whether I had put everything together correctly and appropriately. Now our sink (Villeroy & Boch Artis) has gone up from €299 to €359. And our bathtub from €359 to €409. What a bummer. Now I'm considering ordering the sink without "CeramicPlus." That is still at €309. Of course, that doesn't make a huge difference. Does anyone have experience whether this CeramicPlus process really brings any benefits? Or is it just pure marketing fluff?

I think that the coating is worthwhile for a toilet (there is always water in it) and for the other components it is a luxury (water drains away after use). The coating is beneficial, but deposits remain limited with temporary use :).