Cost of planning order with the general contractor

I believe "Erhalt Bauantrag" means when the construction application is sent to the TE by the GU. So before it is submitted to the building authority.

Just ask the GU what activities are behind the second payment. Then you will be able to assess whether the payment makes sense. We have always made sure to pay only for the trades that have actually been completed.

Edit: ...although I am just wondering what is meant by "receipt of building application" when there is already a "handover of building application"

The original poster did write in post #3: "Receipt of the building permit from the city" Either way, the OP's question about the classification of the payment steps cannot be answered unless he provides more information. Rhineland greetings

One could interpret that for the approvable planning, 10,000 euros are to be paid and upon receipt of the approval, a further 8,000 euros. A total of 18,000 euros. For other construction projects, 5% of the construction sum is common, here therefore 18,000 euros / 5% = 360,000 euros. This can provide a direction as to whether the price is customary.

The procedure is rather unusual with a general contractor AFAIK, as here the contract for the entire house is usually concluded before the planning. If only the planning (as a contract for work?) is commissioned here, then that should be okay. However, this does not relieve from the usual necessity to review the contract (for the planning) just as one would review a contract for work for the entire house.