Fee notice for building application

But processing a building application does not require more or less work whether I am building for €100,000 or for €1 million, whether I am building 100 sqm or 1000 sqm. At least not significantly more or less.

That is certainly true. If each application were charged based on the actual full costs, it would hardly make sense to submit a small building application, for example for a conversion or a carport, because the fee burden would be disproportionately high. Thus, the builders of larger projects partially pay for the applications of builders of smaller projects. This is, so to speak, a form of cost solidarity among the group of builders. Without ruling out that this could be regulated better, I find it reasonably balanced. There are plenty of other causes for outrage that are more important.

That is certainly true. If every application were charged based on the actual full costs, it would hardly make sense anymore to submit a small building application, for example for a renovation or a carport, as the fee burden would be disproportionately high. Thus, the builders of larger projects partially pay for the applications of builders of smaller projects. This is, so to speak, a form of cost solidarity within the group of builders. Without ruling out that this could be better regulated, I find it reasonably balanced. There are enough other more important irritants.

Perhaps one should consider streamlining the workload.

Maybe one should consider streamlining the workload.

Yes, that is even stated in the new coalition agreement (topic digital construction file). Surely, every municipality, every district can also adjust the operating costs, which are allocated to the services within the framework of a full cost analysis. A start would be the consistent energy-efficient renovation of one's own stock and expansion of photovoltaics on the roofs of one's own buildings. There is already quite good funding for this and even more in the future, if you read the new coalition agreement.

Yes, that is even stated in the new coalition agreement (topic digital building file). Also, every municipality and every district can certainly adjust the operating costs, which are allocated to the services within the framework of a full cost consideration. A start would be the consistent energetic renovation of their own stock and the expansion of photovoltaics on the roofs of their own buildings. There is already quite a bit of funding for this and even more in the future, if you read the new coalition agreement.

Since you are involved with the subject matter.
How high is the actual workload for a building permit application?

I lived until last year in a Berlin old building from 1886. Due to water damage from a roof terrace, roof beams and consequently the stucco facade were damaged. A specialist needed details about the original construction because this type and extent of necessary renovation is influenced by that. At the building authority, I was able to view all construction and building documents from 1886, as well as those from a renovation carried out in the 1930s. 140 years old, and two world wars. Somewhat dusty, but complete.

So much effort is put into that.

I am not directly involved with the subject matter, but I am involved with the design of companies.
If you break down the processing of a building application into individual processes from mail receipt handling through input, reading, understanding, matching with legal situations, correspondence, internal communication, possibly forwarding, documentation, archiving... the effort (regardless of the quality of process efficiency) becomes clear at first. Besides the purely time-related effort (wages and wage-related costs), operating costs also arise (e.g., provision of office infrastructure, technical equipment, unproductive services such as human resources, etc.), which are broken down to the processing process in the context of a full cost analysis. Since not every new application is the same, one will probably differentiate and evaluate different types of applications.
Therefore, it is too simple to take a fee amount and divide it by an assumed hourly wage and wonder how many hours come out of that.
To calculate the full costs of a building application in a specific authority, I would have to delve into the organization and cost structure. However, one can also make some plausibility considerations and experiment. Presumably, you pay for small building applications as well.

By the way, there are guidelines that are used for fee determination. These include cost recovery as a performance principle, but also transparency, legal certainty, and—hear, hear—an orientation toward business management principles. Therefore, the fee determination at your place of residence should, if in doubt, be able to be made comprehensible to you upon request.