ETICS, exterior wall, insulation, energy experts' experience reports

Hello,

The problem is that a prospective builder, who spends his valuable time in such forums to get information, simply has no idea about the subject matter and cannot do much with such general answers.

Well, forums certainly provide a lot of information, the question is just how reliable it is. Here, alongside honest informants, there are also anonymous hobby experts, sometimes know-it-alls, competitors, and many others. Deliberate/unintentional misinformation is spread in places. The aspiring builder is, after all, a layperson; how is he supposed to verify the truthfulness of even the most nicely worded statements without existing expertise?
I would never base a major investment decision on such statements. Forum posts simply cannot replace precise planning/dimensioning. It usually isn’t as simple as in this case. If it were, all experts could hang up their boots.

... Not to mention that he can never grasp the overall connections between the building envelope, technology, economy, ecology, and what else there is. Certainly, many answers or forum posts are technically correct, but a help-seeker (who is not a professional) can rarely take anything useful from them.

Then he often has a huge problem and has not understood the essentials! Precisely because of the complex interrelationships, the objective and sales-independent assistance of a professional is essential. Otherwise, the inexperienced builder will fall for the tricks of the trained and skillful salesperson.
I see botched installations almost daily. In many cases, the builders don’t even realize how and that they have been taken advantage of. Only a few technically interested parties sometimes notice something. Usually, afterwards, only a cosmetic correction with limited success is possible. The idea that turning a few switches will make everything alright is absolutely wrong. Bad luck, despite the high investment costs! And now? Expensive lawsuits or living with the problem in the long term?
Nice prospects
I am always amazed at how little prospective builders care about essential things. The dormer is important, the shape and color of the tiles, the golden door handles, roof tiles, fancy shower and bathtub... etc. How high the actual demand/consumption for heating/hot water/and possibly ventilation will be later—no idea. On this basis, almost any junk can be sold. But a nicely calculated energy saving ordinance/KFW certificate is there as a comforting pill.
What always rings in my ears are the phrases from the cheated: " Yes, if we had known that beforehand, we would have..."

Best regards

Hello,

With this text, you have literally written from my "soul" and dispelled my last doubts regarding my wall construction and building technology. Especially your last two paragraphs are, in my opinion, an honest and objective assessment of the very confusing topic of energy + building services + building envelope.

I am always honest; I am simply too lazy to lie

What I should have added is that - since we are a small but ambitious construction consulting firm - we are fortunate to call some "ticking" people our partners; this includes, among others, a building services planner. We do not "define" houses solely according to the Energy Saving Ordinance or as KFW houses, but as a holistic concept. This also includes, for example, taking into account the location of the plot and its geological characteristics in the planning.

What €uro rightly criticizes is that most builders strive exclusively to reconcile their desired features with their financing volume; these are mostly items that, as a rule, are subject to a replacement cycle of 5 years. What is more durable is the building envelope and the installed technology. And since these account for a significant part of the costs in new construction, the focus of builders should primarily be on what has to be executed solidly and economically sound in the long term.

Unfortunately, the opposite is often the case; when a clever salesman comes along, the worst junk gets sold and the builders are even proud of it. The sad thing is that these supposed "bargains" always turn out to be the most expensive option; consistently in every trade. That is why I am very cautious when a "cheated" builder speaks up here in the forum. Professional experience has taught me that every pot finds its lid; this truism also applies to house construction.

Ultimately, that is also the reason why I invest a good part of my free time in the forum. Education is very important, as is the urgent note that it is almost impossible for a layperson to understand a project like the new construction of a single-family house. As a first source of information, the internet is certainly a good approach; but it must not be regarded as a substitute for consulting experts.

Thanks for that!!!

You’re welcome

Best regards