What came on the cut list?

Even during the sampling, we didn’t even look at more expensive or prettier bricks, doors, faucets, etc.

commendable, if the enemy of good is not awakened in the first place, it can’t tempt!

We basically scrapped everything we had pinned/liked about half a year earlier – before concrete planning and numbers – on Pinterest, hou zze and co.

open gallery, fireplace, bay window, extension, projecting facades, flush doors, etc. pp. – you name it

Again about the fence. A welded wire fence is actually currently under discussion. We don't find it quite so nice, but financially it's a completely different ballgame than a nice WPC privacy screen.

As for the ivy, or any other climbing plant. We have concerns that this could cause problems with the neighbors. The ivy doesn't know where its side is and happily grows in all directions...

Cancelled so far the outdoor whirlpool... although the empty conduits are in place... maybe it will come after all someday.

Not exactly "cancelled," but: if I were to build it again, then one row of stones wider.

Again about the fence. A welded wire fence is actually currently under discussion. We don’t find it quite as nice but financially it’s a whole different league compared to a nice WPC privacy screen.

As for ivy, or any other climbing plant. We have concerns that it could be a problem with the neighbors. The ivy doesn’t know which side is its own and happily grows in all directions...

Just talk to the neighbor. Maybe he prefers ivy over WPC or something else. Then he might also take the hedge trimmer and cut back what grows too much. I do that too. Whatever is too much in ground cover and ivy just gets cut back and that’s that.

As I said, ivy can become a curse. It can also lift roofs off garden sheds, etc. You have to be very disciplined when pruning.

Talk to the neighbor. Maybe he prefers ivy over WPC or something else. Then he might also pick up the hedge trimmer and cut back what grows too much. I do that too. Whatever is too much in ground cover and ivy simply gets trimmed and that's it.

There are three neighbors. A church kindergarten and two who, like us, have not built yet.
One is very nice. The other is a really nasty character. He has already been very difficult with regard to an easement granted to him on our property. Actually, we don’t want to do anything he can somehow influence.