Contract signing WITHOUT sampling and detailed planning

We too are now facing contract signing after long communication with Fa. Haacke. Regardless of the fact that we do not yet have a plot of land, but one in prospect, we have to carry out the final planning for private reasons before purchasing the land. Although despite numerous floor plans, phone calls, etc., no one has EVER tried to pressure us into signing the contract; we are now supposed to sign the contract based on an offer, the scope of services, and a floor plan, which we will definitely not do. My question: Is it industry standard to sign a construction contract BEFORE sample selection, detailed planning (e.g. sockets, etc.)??? There are countless documents, drawings, etc. that MUST become part of the contract; but at this point in time, they are not available at all because the aforementioned things are still pending! This practice seems anything but professional to me.... It would be comparable to signing a car contract after an advertisement, although details such as equipment are not yet clarified in detail! Surely no one would do that either..

What kind of private reasons? And what if the purchased house is not allowed to be built on the new plot if you don’t get the one you have in prospect? A quick signature is common in the industry (somewhere the low offer price has to be recovered through the selection of fittings), but not advisable. So first secure the plot, then plan, then select fittings, then have contracts reviewed, and only then sign.

THAT was not my question and is also not the problem! 1. It is clear that the property can be built on in this form! And the right of withdrawal for the worst case is also secured. The contract is being reviewed by a lawyer. Moreover, Haacke is by no means a "budget builder". Again, my question: Is it common with SERIOUS house builders that the contract is signed BEFORE the final selection of materials etc.? Maybe other house builders could share at what point they signed the contract.

We also signed, even though the sample selections were not yet completed. Because if we had not signed, there would have been no start of construction this year either, and winter would have come in between.
The only important thing is to be able to estimate what additional costs will still arise from the sample selections.
Only a standard equipment is always included with the developers.
If you want high-quality floors, tiles, and sanitary ware, you are immediately looking at about EUR 20,000 in additional costs. (Or you limit yourself to the simple standard and save money).

First of all, thank you very much for the response! So we have already looked at the essential things of the sampling, know the standards, and also know what we are bringing. I am a bit concerned that one gives up their negotiating position as a not yet "captured" customer too early and thus naturally also has a significantly worse negotiating basis - actually no basis anymore when it comes to price concessions, possibly changes, etc. AND of course also that numerous documents are initially not part of the contract. Will they then be included later in a supplementary agreement? Were there no unpleasant surprises for you in this regard?

Well, of course it is the case that you are only in a really strong negotiating position until the signing. Therefore, we conducted at least 5 detailed live negotiation meetings of 2-3 hours each with the current GU before signing, plus quite a number of phone calls and emails. Since it is a turnkey house, in the end it was about a decent discount. We managed to get 2%. Of course, one should negotiate and above all: clarify as many open questions as possible BEFORE signing!! I would always first: - plan the plot - buy the plot - commission planning through architects - obtain the building permit - wait for the building permit Then only sign and negotiate as long as necessary. Is there any reason to sign beforehand? Definitely not for me! However, it will never be possible to have all selections completely finalized before signing. That only concerns much later construction phases and is not really urgent. It is important to negotiate, but not to push your GU so far that he no longer enjoys building for you, but looks for ways to save on construction. That backfires! Both must remain partners, especially because the construction phase plus offer phase plus planning phase plus correction phase takes about a year and you have to get along well for that long, otherwise the time will be terrible...