ᐅ Evaluating Different Options in Single-Family Home Construction

Hello dear community,

We are currently planning the construction of our single-family home 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 thoughts; I would appreciate your opinions on each point. I welcome contrasting views (with appropriate reasoning).

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

(2) Shutters vs. Venetian blinds on the ground floor
Decision: Shutters
Reason: Venetian blinds are vulnerable to wind (Northern Germany) and somewhat more expensive; with some automation of the shutters, hopefully we won’t sit in the dark during summer anyway

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

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

(5) Internal walls
Decision: Masonry made of calcium silicate bricks (instead of aerated concrete or drywall)
Reason: Better sound insulation desired (5-person household); additional costs are not significant

(6) Interior doors (sound insulation)
Decision: Upgrade with better sound insulation
Reason: Improved sound insulation by about 3 dB (honeycomb core instead of hollow core) costs approximately €35 (about $35) more per door leaf. (According to general contractor)

(7) Interior door (clear height)
Decision: Clear height 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Reason: I am 2 m tall (6 ft 7 in) and have three sons who won’t be short either; additional cost for 2.10 m clear height in a standard interior door is about €65 (about $65) each. (According to general contractor)

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

(9) Window security standard
Decision: Not decided yet (RC1 vs. RC2N vs. better)
Reason: According to the general contractor, there are no major differences between RC1 and RC2N; extra costs are not worthwhile

(10) Patio door
Decision: Swing door instead of lift-and-slide door
Reason: Price difference too high; risk of moisture ingress with lift-and-slide door

(11) “Outsourcing trades”
Decision: Exclude certain trades from the general contractor contract to save costs, contract local providers (not self-performed work!)
Reason: Trades like sanitary equipment, flooring, and painting can be obtained significantly cheaper from a local supplier

(12) Bathtub
Decision: No bathtub in the upper floor bathroom, but prepare connections for possible retrofitting and for washing machine use
Reason: We are not fans of bathtubs and want to save costs; however, we want to prepare 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 solutions quickly become too expensive

(14) TV cable connection
Decision: Still open, possibly omit completely
Reason: We watch a lot of TV over the internet; maybe costs can be saved here (?); is a TV connection necessary in every room anymore?

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

(16) Second exterior door from the carport to the utility room
Decision: Still open
Reason: Would be a nice feature to bring less dirt into the hallway (kids, groceries, drinks) and to get dry from the car to the house and vice versa; however, the two doors are only a few meters apart — is this really useful?