Property developers with less experience should be particularly keen to read on: in our guide we provide you with some useful tips for before you start construction:

• 1. Make your ideas concrete: Think about exactly how large the structure should be in advance. This is because the costs of new construction increase linearly with the volume of the building. Build less, and you'll pay less as well.
• 2. Proceed cautiously and with determination: You can already save money in the planning phase by giving yourself sufficient time and developing different variants with an architect. Then make a final decision for one version. No hesitation or indecision is the motto. Replanning in the actual construction phase can be expensive.
• 3. Lay out your project with as much detail as possible: This is important so that your architect can carry out your request for quotation exactly. All elements or trades of the new building are listed, including a description of quantity, performance and quality. You present this request for quotation to various craftsmen so they can make you an offer. You can discuss with your architect which service providers are suitable.

Which design do you prefer? A framed house is built over several months, has great durability and retains its value. The walls can hold in heat, but don't heat up too much in summer. A healthy room climate is typical for this design. Prefabricated houses are, above all, built quickly. They are very well insulated so that you can easily configure them as energy saving houses. No matter which type of house design you opt for, an architect is a reliable source of advice. But of course, your wishes are decisive. Would you like a large garden and plenty of private space? Then a freestanding single family house is right for you. However, you need a large property, which costs money. For a terrace house you need less property. In every case you should at least basically plan a functional, flexible layout with for few projections and recesses in the facade to prevent energy loss.

Building a house is frequently building for life. That's why it is advisable to already think about growing older. It may become more difficult to climb stairs, or there may not be enough room to move in the bathroom or it could be difficult to get into the bathtub. Frequently it's the small details that can increase living comfort for all generations. Ideally, you should build for full accessibility, or at least ease of access. Learn what that means with our home construction guide:

DIN 18040 - part 2 sets out which accessibility requirements a new building should fulfil. For example, doors should be at least 90 centimetres wide, so that wheelchairs and walkers can pass through without issue. Movement areas and design features are also regulated. You can orientate the planning of your house around the specifications of this norm.

Basically, there are two options for ensuring the hot water supply:

• Centralised, coupled with the heating system
• Decentralised via flow heater or small water tank

Important to know: these devices can be operated using electrical energy, but this is not necessarily practical. Since it is relatively expensive. With electrical energy you can feed power peaks and receive basic heat from renewable energy sources, for example with the help of a solar system. This allows you to heat about 60 percent of your annual hot drinking water supply. Clarify at an early stage of the planning of your new building what conditions should be fulfilled for a solar system. Examples here are the areas on the roof, the inclination and the shading.

If you're looking to save energy in construction, you should become familiar with the following concepts. They are included in the building energy certificate and will appear again and again over the course of planning:

Annual primary energy demand (QP)

This is how much energy a house needs annually, from energy production to heat generation.

End-of-year energy demand (QE)

You should procure this amount of energy annually - for instance in the form of heating oil, gas or pellets.

Annual heating demand (QH)

Your house needs this amount of energy while heating, in order to maintain the normal inside temperature.

Transmitted heat loss (H't)

You can to take into consideration the heat loss through exterior surfaces (wall, roof and floors on the ground).

Environmentally-friendly design begins right from the choice of plot. This has an effect on the energy consumption of the house. Because it depends on the nature of the building, which heating system can be integrated and which building materials must be used. Additionally, it should be ensured that air, water and soil are kept clean and that renewable energies are used.

Always make sure to keep health and ecological concerns in mind when planning:

• Safe materials
• Efficient heating systems
• Optimal waste disposal and avoiding hazardous waste
• Focus on regional energy and material flows
• Reduction of climate-damaging CO2 emissions
• Good heat insulation
• Use of solar energy

Tip: with the proper automatic sun shading system solution you can conserve energy in home construction.

Type of house

Framed house or prefabricated house? Freestanding single family house or terrace house?

House size

How many square metres and how many rooms? How large is the garden?

Layout

Can the rooms be repurposed if necessary? Can the house be divided later, and the rooms sublet?

Equipment

Should this be a luxury build or are there cheaper but comparable alternatives?

Accessibility

Is the home still comfortable and accessible for seniors or wheelchair users and other persons with limited mobility?

Budget

How large a budget do you need and can you save money through sensible planning? What is the financing situation? Do you have enough capital available?

Environmental protection

Can you rely on renewable energy and use resource-saving materials?

Design

How will you prevent heat loss? What is the insulation situation?

Energy efficiency

EnEV - does your house fulfill the requirements of this European regulation?

Hot water supply

Central or decentralised?

For many, a garden simply means quality of life. There you can spend a whole day relaxing, grill with friends or let out your creative energy. Children have a place to play, and at the same time a well-planned, well-cared for garden increases the resell value of your house. A part of this is the proper sun shading system for the garden . This not only provides shade and keeps out damaging UV rays, but also protects against wind and rain showers.

Hint: Not enough property for a garden on the ground? No problem. Facades, garages and roofs can be planted just as well. A balcony can also be transformed into a city garden.