The Client and Their Vision

Every construction project begins with an idea. The client – whether a private individual, family, or investor – has specific expectations: house size, style, location, budget, and intended use. This is the foundation for everything that follows. Purchasing land, arranging financing, and setting a rough timeline are usually the first decisions. Even at this early stage, involving an architect to assess feasibility is recommended.

The Architect: From Vision to Design Plan

The architect is the creative and technical mind behind the project. In close coordination with the client, they develop the initial design and later the permit and construction planning. Beyond aesthetic considerations, functional, economic, and legal framework conditions must be taken into account. Modern architecture increasingly uses digital tools such as 3D models or virtual reality to convey a sense of space and effect early on.

The Structural Engineer: Ensuring Stability

The structural engineer checks whether the planned building can be built safely and stably. They calculate loads, material strengths, and ensure that the house withstands all requirements – even during storms or snow. Their expertise is especially indispensable for multi-story buildings or innovative designs.

Law and Permits: Navigating the Bureaucratic Jungle

Nothing happens without a building permit. The architect submits the building application, which is based on the local development plan, state building regulations, and other requirements. Fire protection, building distances, noise and environmental protection, heritage preservation, and more play a role. In many regions, the obligation to install solar technology is already in effect.

Energy Efficiency and Technology: New Legal Standards

The Building Energy Act (GEG) mandates high energy efficiency for new buildings. Gas heating is hardly allowed anymore; instead, air-to-water heat pumps, photovoltaic systems, and central ventilation systems are commonly used. In many states, new buildings are already subject to solar obligations. Smart home technology, battery storage, and rainwater harvesting complete the energy concept.

Coordination, Construction Time, and Handover

Contracts are signed, plans finalized – now begins the phase that tests many clients' patience. The decisions of the past months now take shape as foundations, walls, roofs, and technical systems. This is where it becomes clear how well things were thought through, coordinated, and prepared. Any oversight, unclear wording in tenders, or uncoordinated trades can now cause delays or extra costs. The construction schedule is not a rigid framework but a dynamic tool tested daily on site.

This is also the phase where the client is most involved – whether through personal decisions, coordination with trades, or the emotional tension that comes with watching a house take shape. Those managing their own trades, coordinating tasks, or contributing hands-on navigate a fine line between responsibility and control. Knowing when to step in and when to let go is often difficult.

In parallel with the manual work, quality assurance begins. Good architects or site managers know that regular inspections, clean documentation, and open communication with contractors are essential to prevent defects. Still, small or larger mistakes are inevitable. They are part of building. What matters is how they are handled.

At the latest during the final inspection, it becomes clear whether the construction period was shaped by trust or friction. A professional handover is not only legally important – it is also the last major milestone before the house officially changes hands. Plans, maintenance documents, certifications, protocols – all must be complete and comprehensible. Those who are thorough here lay the foundation for a home that functions long-term.

After the handover, the occupancy phase begins. And it, too, often brings surprises. Doors may stick, heating systems may need fine-tuning, or a crack in the plaster may appear. That’s normal and no cause for concern. What’s important is having contact persons available and using warranty periods actively. A successful construction project doesn’t end with the last brick, but with the reassuring feeling of being able to rely on quality, documentation, and support.