Cost explosion even before it really gets started

The only thing that helps is to insist on a realistic recalculation and advise on what can be dropped or refinanced.

From my own experience, I can say that the topic of discount is overrated. You will never ever save as much as was miscalculated.

We are now about 20k over after the shell construction.

And we really calculated well.

And we just have to live with that? As I said, we would never have agreed to the project if we had known that it would exceed our specification so immensely. Then we would have planned smaller from the beginning.

What annoys me the most right now is that we only followed up again 2 weeks ago because we have only just applied for the loan. There were already several offers at that time, and even with some rough calculations, one could have seen that none of it would work out. However, we had not received the offers yet.

And we just have to live with that? As I said, we would never have agreed to the project if we had known that it would exceed our target by so much. Then we would have planned smaller from the beginning.

Yes. An estimate is an estimate. I once saw a table that showed how accurate the estimates are allowed to be in each project phase. 1st cost estimate up to 25%. After submission of the offer, a maximum of 5% More But if you don't update the estimate, the first estimate simply remains the basis

And that we have not received any updates so far despite multiple inquiries, we presumably have to accept as well?

And that we have not received any updates so far despite multiple inquiries, we presumably have to accept as well?

Yes. There is no legal recourse.

EDIT: Unfortunately, you are also arriving too late here. You are not the first and will not be the last. We have countless prime examples here.