Stop or pause house construction? Costs too high

May I ask why you want to build an architect-designed house if it is supposed to be a "simple house like at uncle’s"?

We were too naive. We still are. Back then, we received a great tip to build with an architect. The advantages were obvious. You could design your house yourself and be flexible. The architect takes the entire work off our hands. The architect already knows many companies and can negotiate prices well. The architect... The architect.... The architect is the best man, and in the end it only costs maybe 20-30 thousand euros more because he negotiates prices well. On the internet, it says that building with an architect is often more expensive. But often is not always, and certainly not twice as much. It was a mistake, that is clear today. The contract as I know it was not concluded. We only talked about it, he sketched a little with his pencil on a few appointments and thus an oral contract was unnoticedly concluded. But we do not want to speak badly of him. No blame either. We would have only wished that he had pointed out the costs to us. And that earlier than LS 1 and 2 were completed. Such oral contracts are common. And he also did everything quickly. Going back is bad, the architect must get the money. Building is not possible at that price.

Hello, Please send me the plans confidentially (incl) 3D, as you said, including the name of the architect to kriminelle@freenet.de I want to see what has come out of 300 hours, i.e. 4 months of planning time at 4 hours/day.

Again, maybe it didn't come across well: I want to see if the design is elaborate and identify where the cost drivers are. Also, possibly show an improvement of the costs.

Settle But then only according to HOAI and not with astronomical prices per m2, in my opinion max. 3000 Euro/m2 for standard. For the billing review, I would even go in with 2500 Euro/m2.

Architects usually charge according to m3 of enclosed space. Then it is probably 900 - 1100 Euro/m3

How is the relationship with the architect?

Actually good.
After the estimate, we are very unsettled, but haven't told him anything yet.
We are waiting it out and considering what we should do.

But I find it strange that the architect didn't ask about the budget.

We assume the mistake happened on our side.
The neighbor built the house for 610,000, an acquaintance Peter for 570,000. Others had a price range from 400 to 600 thousand.
So we thought that with our maximum of 900 thousand € we would be easily within range. We don't need a luxury house anyway.
The money was not yet a topic of conversation.

the email address might not exactly come across as trustworthy. ;)

Again, maybe it didn’t come across well: I want to see if the draft is elaborate and identify where the cost drivers are. Also, possibly indicate an improvement in costs.

Thank you very much for your willingness to help. We will think about it.