House construction too expensive - Stop building?

It would indeed be interesting to have an update on the construction status and preferably the remaining budget. We have just had the screed poured and the interior work is beginning. For our 170sqm + 80sqm garage, I hope to end up around 400k (without land and incidental costs). I’m also starting to set priorities. (Interior doors later, 2.5m & 5.5m garage doors later). The motto is to approach things realistically and estimate what can be “postponed” if you notice it might get too tight. PS: also doing individual trades plus getting your hands dirty saves a lot overall compared to a general contractor, I can definitely confirm that.

The shell is practically finished. The roof will be covered soon, and next the windows will be installed. Electrical work is also in progress.
Costs so far:
Architect + structural engineer €19K
Groundwork and demolition of existing structure: €7.6K
Masonry work €104K
Brickwork €6.8K
Surveying €7K
Roofers and carpenters €36K

Planned further costs:
Heating and sanitary: €37K
Electrical work: €8-10K
Windows and front door: €26K
Plastering: €10.5K
Screed €7K
Painting work €10K
Drywall €5K
Roof insulation €5.5K
Floors: laminate self-installed material €3.5K
Tiles (including concrete stairs) €15K
Photovoltaic system with storage €25K
Interior doors €3.5K
Outdoor facilities €7K
Construction power €4K
House connections €12K
Garage €15K
Kitchen €13K
Notary fees €7.5K
Furniture €2.5K
Brick jointing €3K

That all just sounds bad. You don't have to get all the money in cash from somewhere, but it is financed. The 1200 (or even more) is what you have to pay here with us for a 100sqm comfort apartment RENT apartment. Everything is within the green range.

How do you manage that? What are your expenses?

Don’t focus on other people. There is always someone who builds cheaper, spends less money, etc. It’s enough if you have no more children with the same income and loan limit. There are also older people here who build a new house after the children have moved out:

Groceries and drugstore: 800 Gasoline 300 Daycare 350

For two people with a job within cycling distance, there is still 1000€ more net per month left. But as I said, focus on yourself instead of others.

The shell is basically finished. The roof will be covered soon and next the windows will be installed. The electrical work is also in progress. Costs so far: ...

That sounds good and at first glance the calculation now also looks as if it is in the right ballpark.

How do you manage that? What are your expenses?

I actually can't tell you exactly because we don't keep a household budget.
But roughly 5000€ - 2500€ loan = 2500€

Of which:
250€ ancillary costs for the house
50€ insurances
200€ car insurance, repairs...
600€ food and drugstore
100€ clothing
=1200€

Then there are still 1300€ left for leisure, consumption, unexpected repairs, fuel...
Since we can still save money every month or invest in the outdoor area, it apparently suffices well.

Has the child benefit already been included in the household budget?

I actually can't tell you exactly, because we don’t keep a household ledger.
But roughly 5000€ - 2500€ loan = 2500€

Of that:
250€ additional costs for the house
50€ insurances
200€ car insurance, repairs...
600€ food and drugstore
100€ clothing
=1200€

That leaves 1300€ for leisure, consumption, unexpected repairs, fuel...
Since we can still save every month or invest money in the outdoor facilities, it seems to be enough.

Respect!
The point about insurances is already more than four times as much for us.

But as has already been written here, everyone has to find their own way. It is definitely doable, but generalizing that will be difficult. Everyone has different needs. Some are happy because nothing changes, others will realize after building the house that they can do without certain things they never thought they could before.