ᐅ How are you dealing with the current construction situation?

Hello everyone,

I’ve been quietly following along here for a while and wanted to check in with those who are about to start building or are still in the early stages of planning.

How do your friends and family react to your project? Do you get unsolicited “advice” to stop?
Do you find that your family talks about it all the time, or is it more a case of keeping calm and carrying on because there’s no turning back? Are you trying to calm yourselves with certain strategies, or are you already quite relaxed about it?

About us:
Our building project is nearing the end of the planning phase. The building permit / planning permission has been submitted, the loan is signed, and if everything goes according to plan, construction will start in late summer/autumn.
As a couple, we are actually pretty relaxed, but everyone around us is driving us crazy. We’re never quite sure how to react, which causes some frustration.
Tell us about your experiences.

If you trust your construction company and architects, go for it. Follow through with the project and don’t let bystanders discourage you.
No one will make the decision for you anyway, and many people can talk nonsense.

Our house is already built, and actually, no one in the family tried to dissuade us. Many just said, “Respect for taking this on at your age...” 😎

Now we’re glad we took that step, and we enjoy the new way of life and the friendly neighbors every day.

Klinkerstyle schrieb:

We often don’t really know how to respond properly, which causes some frustration.

"We have planned this well and can easily afford it – even during the crisis." This quickly shuts down complaints from others.

It seems you also planned ahead, so it’s okay to be a bit "cocky" when others and/or know-it-alls get annoying..

My building permit / planning permission should arrive in the next few days, the bank agreement is almost finalized, and the land has been transferred, etc.

Of course, I feel the general uncertainty, but when I look at it rationally: disruptions of this magnitude will take years to settle down, meaning that "postponing" is an undefined period. As long as you haven't planned right at the limit, I currently see the situation as still manageable—what else can you do?

I expect to complete the final selection of finishes by June, and then the prefab house will go into "production." Since I am building with one of the largest providers, I feel confident about this, because if they couldn't proceed, the entire industry would be in trouble...

EineEULE schrieb:

My building permit / planning permission should arrive any day now, the bank is basically secured, land transferred, etc.

Of course, I feel the general uncertainty, but when I look at it rationally: disruptions of this magnitude will take years to settle down, meaning "postponing" is a very indefinite period. Unless you planned right at the limit, I currently see it as still manageable – there’s not much else to do anyway.

I should finish the final selections by June, then the prefabricated house will go into "production." Since I’m building with one of the largest providers, I’m fairly relaxed about it, because if that company can’t operate anymore, the whole industry would be in trouble...

Did you get a fixed price, and until when is it valid? And I will say it again and again: hire an external construction supervisor.

The biggest construction company is often not the best solution. You are just a small piece in their entire portfolio of projects.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you. Our house handover is planned for July 😎

We are in exactly the same situation described by the original poster. I have to say that I am losing sleep over this and would advise others to stop as well… yet at the same time, we are pushing forward. Financially, we did not plan completely at the limit, even though the price increases are painful. However, we do not expect prices to fall, as mentioned above. The energy transition will permanently lead to significantly higher energy costs, and if there is increased demand for materials due to reconstruction, that certainly won’t make things more readily available.

Just the rise in interest rates since we signed the contract with the bank has already saved us a lot of money compared to a later date, despite penalty interest. That is one aspect that gives me at least some positive outlook…