Weighing different options in the single-family house

Hello dear community,

we are currently planning the construction of our single-family house and I would like to clarify as many details as possible and make decisions about the equipment before signing the contract.
Here are some of my considerations, I would really appreciate your opinions on the individual points.
I am consciously looking forward to opposing opinions (with appropriate reasoning).

(1) Shutter material
Decision: Plastic slats
Reason: We will have white windows, so the extra cost for aluminum shutters is not worth it (for better color choice)

(2) Shutters vs. venetian blinds on the ground floor
Decision: Shutters
Reason: Venetian blinds are susceptible to wind (Northern Germany) and are also a bit more expensive; with some automation of the shutters, hopefully you won’t sit in the dark in summer anyway

(3) Heating
Decision: Air-water heat pump
Reason: Best price/performance ratio

(4) Ventilation
Decision: Central ventilation
Reason: Less noise and better efficiency, but higher costs (purchase and maintenance)

(5) Interior walls
Decision: Built from calcium silicate brick (instead of aerated concrete or drywall)
Reason: Better sound insulation desired (5-person household); additional costs not significant

(6) Interior doors (sound insulation)
Decision: Upgrade with better sound insulation
Reason: An improved sound insulation by approx. 3dB (honeycomb board insert instead of rod core insert) costs about €35.00 more per door leaf. (Statement by the general contractor (GU))

(7) Interior door (passage height)
Decision: Passage height 2.1m
Reason: I am 2m tall and have three sons who won’t be short; additional cost for a 2.10m passage height in a standard interior door is €65.00 each. (Statement by the GU)

(8) Stairs
Decision: Reinforced concrete stairs instead of wood
Reason: Better sound insulation; closed stairs with storage space underneath

(9) Security standard for windows
Decision: Not yet made (RC1 vs. RC2N vs. even better)
Reason: According to the GU, no big differences between RC1 and RC2N; additional costs not worthwhile

(10) Patio door
Decision: Hinged door instead of lift-and-slide door
Reason: Extra cost too high; risk of moisture ingress with lift-and-slide door

(11) "Outsourcing trades"
Decision: Remove certain trades from the GU contract to save costs, assign to local providers (no own work!)
Reason: Topics like sanitary fittings, flooring and painting work can be obtained significantly cheaper from local providers

(12) Bathtub
Decision: No bathtub in the upstairs bathroom, but prepare connections for possible retrofitting and use for washing machine
Reason: Not fans of bathtubs and would like to save costs; nevertheless, we would prepare beforehand in case we change our minds or for a higher resale value

(13) Electrical and home automation
Decision: Still quite open
Reason: Would like to do something but the solutions quickly become too expensive

(14) TV cable connection
Decision: Still open, possibly omit completely
Reason: Watch a lot of TV via internet, possibly can save costs here (?); is a TV connection still necessary in every room in the future?

(15) Second sink in the utility room
Decision: Still open, cost/benefit evaluation
Reason: Would be a nice feature for the kids’ dirty shoes or cleaning fish (I am an angler)

(16) Second front door from the carport into the utility room
Decision: Still open
Reason: Would be a nice feature to bring less dirt into the hallway (children, shopping drinks) and to get from the car into the house and vice versa with dry feet in the rain; however, the two doors are also only a few meters apart, really useful?

I agree with many points. Otherwise;

2) I would find it unpleasant without a venetian blind. In my opinion, shutters only work if the architecture and/or planting is planned in such a way that hardly any/no direct sunlight can enter in summer.

6) I don’t think it makes sense because openings are needed anyway due to the central controlled residential ventilation. Either above or below the doors.

14) We don’t miss the TV cable.

15) Why isn’t it possible with a sink?

16) Better to plan the entrance properly than to have two entrances next to each other.

Regarding (16): definitely do it, that was the best decision ever

On the subject of controlled residential ventilation/doors, it can be made airtight, but then there must be supply and exhaust air in every room and no overflow areas planned. This quickly becomes more expensive and partly also a routing problem for the air ducts.

Regarding point 1, I would prefer aluminum. They are more durable in the long run and do not warp as much under strong sunlight.

We have had aluminum roller shutters for almost three years now, previously plastic, and would not want to switch back.

Considerations mainly for cost reasons. I think that’s okay.

1. Plastic roller shutter slats warp significantly more in the sun than aluminum. Aluminum is usually also insulated – thermal protection. The color of the windows plays just as big a role in the choice of material for the roller shutter slats as the brand of the car. Please don’t choose dark roller shutter slats; light gray or similar always looks good and is less prone to warping.

2. Roller shutters vs. venetian blinds, in my opinion, is only a matter of taste and money.

3. Central controlled residential ventilation ==> thumbs up.

4. Interior walls made of calcium silicate: good for sound insulation. However, drywall does even better than calcium silicate.

5. The sound insulation you chose is practically the same as the general contractor’s standard. If anything, it has to be completely massive. Aside from that, for me personally, the question arises as to when which door has to be closed or what you need sound insulation for. I know it more like practically all doors are always open. At most, the kids want their peace and quiet sometimes. Home office would also be a reason for me, but then a door with real sound insulation. The fact that overflow above the frame or under the door leaf (i.e., a bigger gap to the floor) will be necessary was mentioned. That sabotages your desired sound insulation.

6. High interior doors ==> great. But then please don’t have rooms only 2.30 meters high. That looks terrible…

7. Window security standard: in my opinion, way too much thought is given to this. Breaking or prying open windows is now out of date. If protection, then at least RC2 – meaning with appropriate glass – or even RC3 at vulnerable points; otherwise, RC1N is enough (especially on the upper floors/attic).

8. Automation ==> look into Shelly. Very inexpensive solution for many automation processes. Can’t replace KNX, but for the "normal automator" a great solution that actually works well (e.g., in conjunction with iO-Broker).

12. I have/we have never missed a bathtub. False, for the kids as babies it would have been okay. Prefer a large great shower. Pre-installation I find pointless, because for retrofitting you’d probably have to tear up half the bathroom anyway.

13. Taking trades out of the general contractor contract ==> can initially save money. But please remember that then you have several contacts/companies on board that you have to coordinate yourself. But painters/tilers/parquet layers are usually trades you either do yourself or have done separately anyway (turnkey also always means that floors and walls are not done ==> just for orientation if you ever read a house offer from a house building company).

14. I would have the cables installed. If you take an internet contract via cable, the connection is often free of charge. Having the connection for TV doesn’t mean you have to use it for that. I like to say “better to have than not.” I would definitely take the connection for free. A TV connection in every room is actually hardly necessary anymore. You can run a lot over the network. Or my three kids watch exactly 0% linear TV – exclusively YouTube, TikTok, Disney+, etc.

15.&16. Nice to have. If it fits the budget, then do it. The second sink in the utility room can also be done yourself. If e.g. the connection for the washing machine or similar is there, you can do it as DIY (e.g., IKEA kitchen furniture as equipment for the room).