Stop or pause house construction? Costs too high

How are you supposed to get offers if you are not allowed to show the plans to anyone?

The question "what does a roughly 200 sqm three-adult house in KfW40+ on our plot cost" should not embarrass a general contractor even without plans. Instead, they will regularly answer: according to my construction service description, the square meter costs xyz - grandma square meter same price. Only with individual contracts is shrugging possible without any plans. But that doesn't matter, because the total sum of all items is not significantly different - no matter how many apprentices don't believe it before they try it.

The question "how much does a roughly 200 sqm three-adult house in KfW40+ on our plot cost" should not put a general contractor in deep embarrassment even without plans. Rather, he will regularly answer: according to my construction service description, the cost per square meter is xyz - granny square meter same price.

The bad thing about it is that the architect could have done that directly as well :oops:

The worst part is that the architect could have done that right away :oops:

With my architect, after the first introductions, sketches, and 2-3 appointments, it was like this: he said if we continue now, we have to make a contract for service phases 1-4. Therefore, such a general verbal contract surprises me. Is that even allowed? We agreed on a fixed price for: 90 planning hours + costs for submitting the building application. That settled everything.

One should always clearly discuss the budget in advance at the first appointment. And also repeatedly check in between whether the planning is still within budget. This is not so common in Germany. I have the impression that people here tend to avoid the topic so as not to appear too rich or too poor. It also helps the architect if you clearly say that the limit is at amount xy. And this should not be the actual maximum bearable limit, but rather about 20% below that. I would clearly use the next appointment with the architect solely to discuss the budget, in case there was a misunderstanding about what construction sum is being planned.

Therefore, such a blanket oral contract surprises me. Is that even permissible?

The contract with the architect is concluded just as easily as the contract at the baker's when you buy a roll. No special formalities or formal requirements. Oral agreement and corresponding conduct are completely sufficient.

The contract with the architect is concluded just as easily as the contract at the bakery when you buy a bread roll. No special formalities or formal requirements. Oral agreement and corresponding actions are completely sufficient.

You are certainly right. However, at the bakery, you can see how much a bread roll costs; I mean, there is even something like a pricing obligation.