Floor plan planning shortly before submitting the building application

Then you can only keep your fingers crossed that everything will turn out well with the GU in the end.

Thanks. I don’t think everything with the GU is bad either. They also put a lot of effort into the planning; there were countless adjustments until we had something we liked in the end. And they always remained patient and understanding.

I believe there was no ill will with the 201cm. They also told me kindly that they didn’t understand all the fuss about this issue.

Otherwise, the first inspector’s visit before filling the basement was without complaints. During the shell inspection, there were some points… but it’s certainly not a total failure. The issue with the patio doors is also so far the only one where I now say, in the shell stage, that we definitely should have planned this detail differently. Otherwise, from the current perspective, I would plan the house exactly the same way again. You have to say this in defense of the building partner, because it’s a joint result. I think in very few projects there aren’t one or more things like that…

All in all, you have already done a lot right; things can always go wrong with a freelance architect / architecture firm. Our architect really does an excellent job, but he is also quite busy, so sometimes information comes with a delay. In the back office, our project manager, also an architect, sits who has the plans, tenders, etc. under control. Occasionally, there are also some hiccups regarding communication. The more interfaces, the worse. Smooth processes are probably the exception; one has to get used to that because the standards of one's own job unfortunately do not seem to apply in the construction industry.

Be that as it may. You have probably done the maximum that is possible regarding involving "experts" etc. Although I cannot follow the consideration GU vs. architect, as many points seem to me to be marketing phrases from GUs (e.g., availability of craftsmen, warranty issues), the assessment is individual. However, to believe that GUs architects are generally comparable to freelance architects is, in my opinion, confusing. There are already clear quality differences here, in my opinion.

I think the only thing that might help is to engage much more intensively with the project yourself. That costs an insane amount of time, but for me, given the investment sum, it’s hardly possible without it. I know almost every detail of our working plan by heart; I have already redrawn and modeled it several times in the CAD program or Sketchup. Whether you want or can spend the time or effort is up to you. But even then, there remains a residual risk - a mistake like the one made on your side would have been noticed by me, but maybe other things wouldn’t be...

Fingers crossed that you find a good solution for yourself!

Although I cannot follow the consideration GU vs. architect, as many points seem to me marketing phrases from GUs (e.g. availability of craftsmen, warranty issues), the consideration is individual. However, I find it confusing to believe that GUs are generally comparable to independent architects. In my opinion, there are definitely clear quality differences here.

The consideration GU vs. architect did not come from the GU at all! The independent architects said that themselves! That’s the crazy part! The client is threatening with a contract!

I also wrote that I estimate that the really good architects do not work under the umbrella of an employment relationship with the GU. That’s why there is construction supervision from the planning phase. But the whole planning is not that bad either. However, I remember that there were already discussions during planning when we had the interior doors raised to 2.13 m. The GU wondered if that was really necessary... it probably is not often installed. I believe they mostly build 80% standard houses without high demands / special requests.

Why someone with such an expensive house doesn't even inform themselves about how the planning is done, or what advantages and disadvantages the options bring, I don't quite understand.

Or at the wrong places? – I would have left out the ceiling lamp shopping list drawer

I think they mostly build 80% standard houses without high demands / special requests.

A general contractor naturally builds GU houses much more often than architect houses. Theoretically, you should have chosen the general contractor whose standards deviate the least from your own wishes. But practically, there is a market where the absolute ideal is not always available at just the right time.

Since the picture with the tall test person, I think the door passage will ultimately be unproblematic. And incidentally, I believe smoking balconies in front of bedrooms are overrated, especially when you also have a garden.

Or in the wrong places? - I would have left out the ceiling lamp shopping list drawer

But you wouldn't have done the lighting planning for me either, and the general contractor architect would also have charged for dimensioning, etc.

Otherwise, I agree with you regarding the presumed frequency of balcony use. I can also imagine bigger problems. Nevertheless, it is annoying.

And we do not smoke.

You wouldn't have done the lighting planning for me either

No, not on this "level," but for a contemporary "smart" house - but you didn't want to climb ladders and pull wires yourself a little.

And we don't smoke.

Then the balcony is just decoration except for the part for hanging laundry.

It's annoying all the same.

But hardly relevant. You will walk through there four times a year - sometimes with a Dujardin in the evening, sometimes to quote the chairperson "wonderful, fantastic" in view of the sunny morning. The floor-to-ceiling bathroom window would have been fine with a "French balcony."