Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

The "do-it-yourselfers" enjoy my special respect - whatever reason they have for doing so.

This has nothing to do with those who buy the complete service packages. No justification needed - there are good reasons for that as well.

What I can't stand is complaining about high prices while at the same time insisting on not "giving up" anything, expecting all luxury to be accessible without sacrifices, and hypersensitivity to "leisure stress".

Whoever naturally earns such hourly wages that they earn more than the craftsman's hour, then of course they can also have it done. Doctors, top civil servants, and others naturally have construction done.
That has always been the case. It was about the average builder.

I just have my problems with having things done. On the one hand, of course, because of the money; on the other hand, it is difficult to find suitable craftsmen. My standards for quality are very high. The companies cannot always meet the expectations. Therefore, I do a lot myself before it gets botched. I just can't help myself.

If you don't overdo it, building together tends to strengthen the marriage. I built together with my wife, and we did part of the shell construction between Christmas and New Year's Eve. I think when you have handled every stone of the house three times, then you have a different relationship to the house than if you just turn the key and move in.

In the Hanover area, the price for a 'normal' new build is supposed to be around €4,000/sqm :oops:

I’m really making a bargain right now with €2800/sqm excluding additional costs or €3500/sqm all inclusive. Nevertheless, it’s somehow €100k too expensive and the additional financing is difficult.

Even if the toilet, washbasin, and toilet paper holder cost 5 times the internet price: it's much more practical to have the general contractor do everything from one source. Install a washbasin yourself? Nope... I often have to ask myself if they still realize how long they have to work for 20k. The same goes for outdoor facilities. They want them finished by the move-in or shortly thereafter.

I believe that you should do what you think you know about or when mere muscle power and time are sufficient. Everything else should be done by a professional, if they really are one. For example, I don't gain anything if I can't tile, but try to tile the ground floor myself to save labor costs and profit, only to feel sick and angry at myself for the next 20 years, even though I still spent tens of thousands on materials. But that doesn't mean that you can or should only paint.

I am of the opinion that you should do what you believe you have expertise in or if pure muscle power and time are sufficient. Everything else should be done by a professional, if they really are one.

Most people can install the washbasin, but hardly any plumber will lay the pipes without also being allowed to sell the ceramics. So even with self-contracting, it’s hard to save anything. I’m currently dealing with this issue with the heating. You can forget it. Nobody just lays pipes. And not everyone wants to lay a pipe. Sure, a clamp plier is not rocket science, but some tricks are needed again and parts/small items that a layman forgets and only reads about later in forums. That’s why there is training and experienced professionals..

Of course, if you earn such hourly wages that you earn more than the craftsman’s hourly rate, then you can of course also have it done. Doctors, top civil servants, and others naturally have things built. It has always been that way. It was about the average builder.

I just have my problems with having things done. On the one hand, of course because of the money, on the other hand it is difficult to find suitable craftsmen. My standards for quality are very high. Companies cannot always meet the expectations. Therefore, I do many things myself before it gets botched. I cannot help it.

If you don’t overdo it, building together yourself rather strengthens the marriage. I built together with my wife and we completed part of the shell between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. I think, if you have held every stone of the house three times in your hand, then you have a different relationship to the house than if you just turn the key and move in.

Sounds nice and romantic. But the prerequisite is that the children are taken care of. So parents living nearby. But that is rarely the case.

And about the wages. You don’t compare wages 1:1, but also the working time. For a non-craftsman I assume about twice the time needed. If the craftsman charges €40 on the bill, a net income of €20 per hour is enough.