Low room height; build higher than approved?

Dear community,

I wanted to ask you for advice on how you would proceed in my case.

Problem:
(1) Building permit is available and construction start planned for mid-September (1.5 floors, gable roof)
(2) During the detailed and electrical planning, it was noticed that the ceiling height is quite tight (2.43m on ground floor + upper floor); this is my fault because we never really paid attention to the ceiling height before
--> As a result, the spatial feeling will probably not be very pleasant and the electrical planning will be relatively complex, since suspended ceilings are no longer an option

The following options arise:

(1) Leave everything as it is and at least plan with recessed boxes from the ceiling structure on the ground floor (approx. €1,500 additional cost); work with surface-mounted spotlights on the upper floor (bathroom)
- Disadvantage: Low room height + possibly raised spotlights
- Disadvantage: Additional costs from the ceiling structure
- Disadvantage: Not very flexible for later changes
- Advantage: No risk regarding building permit

(2) Raise the house on the ground floor by one row of bricks (12cm) and adjust the beam layer in the attic to gain height there as well; then suspend the ceilings for electrical installation
- Disadvantage: Not included in the building permit as is; however, there are no problems with setback areas or maximum heights according to the development plan
- Disadvantage: Additional costs due to walling up and suspending the ceiling (cost estimate pending)
- Advantage: Significantly easier and more flexible electrical installation
- Advantage: Better spatial feeling (recessed spotlights + approx. 3-4cm more room height)

What would you decide?

Clear matter: build as approved. A revision to the building application will not be sufficient, you forgot the stairs (or did you want to make each step 8mm steeper?). This is not a ceiling height for fear of bumping your head, it's still enough for Olivia Jones with high heels.

In the upper floor I don't find that so bad, but 2.43 meters are quite low in the ground floor in the open space. Is that with flooring? Without a change request, I wouldn't dare to increase the height. Could the staircase be given more space so that it can also be adjusted?

We have a good 2.40m on the ground floor (2.50m on the upper floor). I don't find it bad, but it certainly also depends a bit on the floor plan design. I have to say, I am over 1.90m tall myself. But as I said, I'm not constantly afraid of hitting my head ;-)

Regarding electricity, I wouldn't worry. Drill holes and lay empty conduits in the ceiling before it is finally concreted. Then you can pull cables through afterwards. Lights usually stay in one place anyway. So far, I haven't met anyone who constantly opens their suspended ceiling to install the lighting.

Clearly (1), if (2) then only with approval, otherwise it would be way too uncertain for me.
Electrical planning is not that complex - as already mentioned - many others manage it even with concrete ceilings after all - it’s standard :) I wouldn’t overestimate recessed spotlights, there are also nice surface-mounted spotlights.
Room height, on the other hand, a few centimeters would certainly not hurt if you have large rooms. However, I still wouldn’t lower the ceiling then either.

Option (1) I would only consider if either
a) an approval is obtained first - depending on that, later construction start
b) it can be guaranteed that a higher building is possible through a change/manipulation/new application. Then you could already start building and the approval would come afterward (there should be clear conditions here about what is approvable and what is not)

Thank you very much for the previous answers. I would probably just call the building authority. I just fear that I won’t get any statement over the phone and will be referred to a new building application with a processing time of 3-4 months...

The staircase currently has 15 steps with 18.8/26. That should still work out with +8mm, right?