Do you have a tendency towards perfectionism when it comes to the house?

If we were perfectionists, we wouldn’t have built on our small plot of land in the first place. But then we would still be sitting in our rental apartment, which is actually too small for the three of us, wondering how we would build if we won the lottery. Ultimately, we made the best of the given circumstances and are doing quite well with the attitude "you can change everything eventually," at least everything concerning the interior. However, I am generally not very perfectionistic and rarely regret decisions. That certainly plays a big role.

For proper perfectionism, I neither have the money (I don't need to write anything here about the crazy prices for land in the Southwest and house construction in general) nor the time (small children, hobbies, friends...). I also lack relatives consisting of bricklayers, electricians, master plumbers, architects, or the like, whose advice and help could allow one to build "more perfectly." At least there is this great forum here :-) I am already happy if our construction project (for which the building permit is still pending) runs more or less according to the time and financial plan.

We are about to start the groundwork. It's starting to tingle a bit. We both tend to "plan in such a way that we have to be annoyed about as few planning mistakes as possible afterwards." Compared to friends and acquaintances, we are much more meticulous in this ("You don't decide on the outlets only on the construction site?") and go through and update plans, notes, and to-do lists very frequently. We do not go to sampling and consultation meetings without a prepared list of questions, wishes, thoughts, and uncertainties to make sure everything is clarified afterwards. For example, tonight I supplemented the notes from the initial meeting about the alarm system with the handwritten records on the PC because this has consequences for windows, doors, and construction partners. Whether this is perfectionism, I don’t want to judge myself given my Franconian modesty. :)

However, I have found over the past months that I have really bitten into my perfectionism with some things and then quickly let other things pass.

I’m actually scared of that too! Could you maybe name two or three things where that was the case for you?

It was over 2 years of pedantic planning and then just over a year of construction phase during which I was on site almost every day for several hours or the whole day.

Would you and also the others please describe what exactly being "on site" looks like? Do you check the work and have it shown to you by the foreman/site manager? Do you help out yourself? Our construction is about to start soon and although I’m really excited, I can’t imagine the role of the client on the construction site at all...

I did some things myself. This also makes you more accepted than if you stomp around the construction site once a week in a suit. I already knew most of the trades beforehand. I then got to know the employees on the construction site. Occasionally treated them to food, drinks, cigarettes, ice cream, etc. We also discussed personal matters during breaks. In addition, I was always available as a contact person and could quickly make decisions if any issues arose. You can immediately see if something is missing or if unexpected interface problems occur. I worked my way as deeply as possible into all topics. I know almost every corner of our house and the premises. There are also pictures of almost every critical spot. The craftsmen were proud to work on this project. Several factors came together for us that made this construction possible in this form. Acquaintances and almost exclusively local craftsmen, an unusual project, meticulous planning, time flexibility, and the willingness to pitch in yourself. If you want to know more, you are welcome to read my large thread. It now has 264 pages.

I was also often on the construction site since we continued living on the property. I sometimes just sat down and watched, talked with the workers, had a lot explained to me, was even allowed to operate the excavator… I provided the workers with drinks and coffee. But I also always watched to see if, from my perspective, everything was going right, which was good twice because the workers apparently thought that construction plans were totally unnecessary. An expansion joint in the screed was set incorrectly (the room door opens into the hallway) and a door jamb would not have been plastered (no door frame will be installed there). I coordinated quite a bit with the drywall installer, for example the triple boarding of a pre-wall element so that the tiles end exactly in the corner.

I would most likely replace the railing with a pedestal staircase. In addition, I would get more involved in the topic of WP+underfloor heating.

BUT: Considering what we paid for the construction in 2019, I lick my fingers every day all ten of them that the house stands there as it does with this equipment ;-)