Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

Yes, we are currently still waiting for the final price breakdown from the general contractor. Then we will see if and how much buffer is left. We can hardly save anything more on the house itself. The basement is more or less mandatory because of the slope, and otherwise we don't have much living space or unnecessary things like bay windows and such. There isn't much scope for personal contribution either.

It's just frustrating. The future prices are simply unpredictable and that makes it very risky.

First of all, I want to send you a big hug. Would you like to explain why you already had a contract but no longer do? I didn't understand that. And as an option: instead of a basement, you can also use the underground floor as living space on the slope. Maybe you could still save something there. Best regards and all the best to you!

What exactly are they offering you? So no fixed price at all, or how does something like that work? If your loan is already approved, you could actually sign the main contractor contract, right? However, I only know main contractor in connection with fixed prices. The cost certainty is precisely what is supposed to make this model attractive.

Before the war, there was still a fixed price and construction time guarantee. At the last conversation, we were informed that the new contracts are being revised and there will no longer be a fixed price. We are currently just waiting for the contract and the new offer, and then I will know more. He said he can of course put the current prices in, but if the heating costs more in half a year, we will have to bear the additional costs. We are building with a smaller regional solid construction company.

First of all, I would like to send you a dear hug. Would you like to explain why you already had a contract but no longer do? I didn't understand that. And as an option: instead of a basement, you can also use the underground floor as living space on a slope. Maybe you could still save something there. Best regards and all the best for you!

That is kind, thank you! So far, we have only signed an offer. That counts as a preliminary contract or is part of a large contract that we wanted to sign next. That's true, maybe you could still save something there. However, because of the basement, we have a second small residential unit and thus receive double KfW funding.

Before the war, there was still a fixed price and a construction time guarantee. At the last meeting, we received the information that the new contracts are being revised and there will no longer be a fixed price. We are currently just waiting for the contract and the new offer and then I will know more. He said he can of course put the current prices in for us, but if in half a year the heating costs more, then we have to bear the additional costs. We are building with a smaller regional solid construction company.

Similar situation with us. We used architectural services, wasted ancillary costs for the land purchase, etc. We are currently also asking ourselves whether all this still makes sense or if a cut now, even if it causes financial damage, which would be very annoying, would make more sense before the excavators start and we sell the land again. Sleepless nights are currently more the rule than the exception. I think you surely also get the (well-meaning) advice from your environment: "Just go through with it now"... Easier said than done. All the best to you!

The unpredictability is really a problem. I can already understand the GUs if they no longer want/can offer a fixed price. In the end, it cannot and must not be the case that he does all the work and still ends up losing money. No one can afford to work for free or even bring money with them. For the builders, however, it is also impossible to calculate well. So either you have so much money that it doesn't matter if it suddenly costs twice as much, or you are playing with fire. A terrible dilemma. The whole thing inevitably leads to no one trusting anyone anymore because you don't know if the increase is justified now, or if he is just adding something for himself. And lack of trust is a bad basis for tackling the biggest project of one's life. Simply a huge mess for everyone who is currently building

That's kind, thanks! So far we've only signed one offer. That counts as a preliminary contract or is part of a large contract that we wanted to sign next. That's true, maybe you could save something there. However, we have a second small residential unit because of the basement and thus receive double KfW funding.

We are also currently finalizing plans for a house on a slope. We're doing it as Ysop suggested and basically building without a basement, with 2 full floors where the lower floor is partially embedded in the slope. If planned cleverly, you can use that quite well. For us, among other things, the technical room goes there, as well as a long wall in the office for desks/monitors, and a storage room. You might want to consider which rooms might suit you there. We didn't factor in the KFW funding anymore. Have you had offers without it, meaning 55 standard / new energy saving ordinance? For us, with all providers, the extra cost for the KFW40 thing was significantly higher than the funding. Edit: That reminds me – if the loan is already approved, then KFW is presumably set, I assume?