Pay attention to small details in planning: towel radiator, etc.

So rimless toilets are personally great in my opinion (hygiene), but if it doesn’t fit the budget in the end

The price difference for us was just 50 euros...

I prefer the laundry chute - also a useful little thing. Although I would design it as a multi-chamber chute so that you can already sort the types of laundry “at the source.”

well, but later the laundry has to be brought back up again. 2 staircases that have to be unnecessarily climbed our new washing machine is almost quieter than our dishwasher, so I don’t see a problem when it comes to noise

with a 50€ price difference I also wouldn’t think twice, if it ends up failing because of that I would ask my parents-in-law to gift us the 2-3 times 50€ in advance as a housewarming present XD

And as you write, the price in the end is not much higher. But it is usually higher.

I consider that a rumor. Just as you wouldn't want to compare a conventional electrical installation with a KNX installation and rightly relativize the absolute additional cost with KNX, you should do the same here. If you want to achieve the same with conventional electrics as, for example, with KNX, it will be significantly more expensive. If you want to replicate a conventional electrical installation with KNX (even if it doesn't make sense), it will be noticeably more expensive with KNX. It’s the same with an architect. If you want to build the same, individualized house of an architect (shapes, materials, features) with a general contractor (GU), you will definitely pay more. Which is not surprising. If (exaggeratedly) catalog products with a few variations suit you, you probably have a price advantage with a GU, although many apparently do not seem to realize that you can also hire a GU to realize plans made by an architect. However, in my opinion, that takes away the flexibility and transparency of individual contracts. My impression is, however, that building with an architect tends to take longer. And if you want to attach costs to that, there is probably a small price disadvantage. GUs are generally quite good and efficient here, which also reflects in the shorter construction time. Whether that is good or can also become a curse (construction is still too damp, but the GU goes ahead with installing the flooring anyway because otherwise, they lose the time window for the profit zone) is another matter. We are building with an architect and do not regret it. Quite the opposite! Friends of ours, however, have also had big trouble with an architect. The same applies analogously to GUs. There are bad apples on both sides.... OOPS, I just realized this is somewhat off-topic. Sorry [emoji51]

What about alarm systems? Considering the increasing crime rate, that is certainly something to think about.

None. Living in one of the quietest counties. Ask the police. They will advise you and they are independent.

What about alarm systems? Considering the increasing crime rate, that is certainly something to think about.

Crime rates are still declining, or do you only watch Fox News?

A light switch for each room is placed to the right of every single door frame; in the hallway, we saved 1-2 switches and placed 2 switches centrally, which simply isn’t ergonomic and has started to annoy us.

I’ve also been tempted by a fixed window pane so that you don’t always have to clear off the windowsill. Maybe in 20 years, when new windows come around.