Take money for free planning?

HHN has filed for bankruptcy as far as I know? I think only FFM remains, or the Americans' airbase. ;) But yes, we have actually already discussed with all the GCs that we would like extended noise protection. So Ytong probably won't be used again.

We had the same problem back then. Since we had relatively clear ideas of how our house should look, we didn’t want to sign a contract first and then start planning, but rather plan the house first and then look for the provider. We then obtained several architect offers, but in the end they were unfortunately far too expensive. Through a tip, we came across an engineering firm at the time, which eventually even settled the cost with the construction company. Maybe take a look at epch Weinheim.

We came across an engineering office back then through a tip, which eventually even settled the payment with the construction company.

That's a nice thing, but it will also limit the options, as not every general contractor makes such a deal.

We had the same problem back then. Since we had relatively precise ideas of how our house should look, we did not want to sign a contract first and then start planning, but rather plan the house first and then look for the provider.

That is indeed a "problem," going into planning already with precise ideas. I would first go through service phase 1 and then see with the architect whether to take a standard house model or develop a custom design in service phase 2. Not every construction project "requires" individual planning.

We have now placed the order, partly because we thought €1500 is not the end of the world and you get an idea of what something like this can look like, built into the slope.
So we submitted 2 DIN A4 pages of text about what we wanted, the full package, really hardcore "wish for what you want" and "what if money didn't matter".

In the end, we received the first draft plan and are totally smitten. Especially my husband, who is usually more like the "yeah, it'll do" and "yeah, that's fine with me" type, is completely blown away. I've never seen him look at floor plans so often. :D

The thing is - because it really implements about 98% of our wishes - it has become quite big.
We'll have it calculated anyway. If it's somehow within an affordable range, we might just build our dream castle.

We have received the first draft of the plan and are completely shock-struck in love. Especially my husband, who is usually more the "yeah, that works" and "yeah, that suits me too" type, is totally blown away. I have never seen him look at floor plans so often.

(When) can we look over your husband's shoulder?

What was the saying, you build the first house for your enemies, the second for your friends, and the third for yourself. If you take your move to the family, then you can call that the second house.