Planning contract ... A new trick for quick customer retention?

At the moment, they can proceed however they want... That's fine and also completely legitimate. (Even if I don't consider many things very wise).

In any case, I am already looking forward to different times.

So it seems to happen more often and basically you understand the reason, yet I would not be willing to pay for it. With the architect, I can state my maximum price (you should probably state it somewhat lower than actual) and then "tinker away" within that framework until it fits. I suspect it rarely happens that architect and client think so far apart that sooner or later something usable doesn't come out that is implemented by the general contractor or via individual contracts. However, if I go to a GC and ask "how much does your house X cost with these and those changes to the floor plan/ heating concept etc.?" then I get an answer (often a fixed price... apart from later additions) and either that suits me or my money is gone. With the architect, the money would only be lost if you ultimately don't come together.

Or am I misunderstanding the system?

It's okay if you are not willing to pay. What's the alternative? Probably only the Massa Haus of this world. Otherwise, go to an exhibition and take a catalog price. But beware if you want any adjustment, it all costs planning money.

It's okay if you're not ready to pay yet. What is the alternative? Probably just the mass-produced houses of this world. Otherwise, you go to an exhibition and take the catalog price with you. But if you want any adjustments, then it all costs planning fees.

I don't even have to decide anymore (that's why I said "I wouldn't be willing...") since our house is already in progress. Honestly, it happened like this for us: we came across a Town & Country house on the internet, which we liked in terms of layout and exterior, and the catalog price made us suspect that even after changes and selections it would still be within budget. So we went to the responsible Town & Country franchisee here. We immediately had a good gut feeling with him, and the additional costs were not higher than expected, so after a few conversations and once a professional uncertainty was clarified, we signed a few months later. To be honest, we were very positively surprised by the surcharges during the selections. So far, I can't complain. Maybe we could have gotten a comparable house cheaper somewhere else, but since we both had a good feeling right away, the price was okay for us, and we didn't want to spend months looking for a general contractor, this was the right way for us.

Offer creation and customer acquisition are simply two absolute core areas in sales and are part of the regular sales activities. With small craftsmen, I can understand it because often the boss himself creates the offers. With house sellers, who usually do not even supervise the construction phase and are often never seen again after the signature, I lack some understanding. That is simply cherry-picking.

Creating offers and customer acquisition are absolutely two core areas in sales and are part of the regular sales activities. [...] For house sellers, who usually do not even supervise the construction phase and are often never seen again after the signature,

I completely agree with you, and this is also the practice among owner-managed providers. However, with many large providers, it is more (pure) theory – not least because the salesperson often has already moved on to the next employer by the start of construction. Corporate identity doesn’t come into play there at all; loyalty exists only with one’s own commission. Houses today, dietary supplements tomorrow, and electricity and gas the day after tomorrow are not uncommon.

I myself charge money for offers where the customer wants a preliminary plan ... the reason is quite simple, most customers take my work to others and have them implement it!

I consider it outrageous not only to get the service unpaid but then to take my intellectual experience to others ...

Meanwhile, I also charge money for offers without sketches ... because it takes away from my free time ...

Service paid = working time
Service unpaid = free time
Because even every small job requires at least 40 paid hours!