2023

From preparing the building plot to interior design and electrics - many aspects can be decisive in ensuring that the construction of your dream home runs smoothly. The experience of former builders is therefore a valuable asset for future builders. They can avoid mistakes when building a house. Former construction manager Marco Fehr has gathered the opinions of former builders and...

A home is a reflection of your own preferences and lifestyle. The kitchen plays a key role in this and the current trend is towards open-plan kitchen concepts. Up to 90 percent of all new builds are to be fitted with open-plan kitchens. Open-plan kitchens are modern, spacious and prestigious. The lack of walls creates a harmonious transition between the individual...

The Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) is calling for more intensive financial support for low-income households in the heating transition. The vzbv criticizes the fact that the planned state funding for the replacement of outdated heating systems by the federal government is inadequate. This position is supported in an updated statement on the proposed amendment to the...

People in need of care in Germany are increasingly under financial strain. This is the result of a study by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (vdek). The costs for new arrivals in care homes are rising particularly sharply. Their co-payment has risen by an average of 348 euros per month compared to 2022. Even for those who have been living in a care home for some time, the...

A study commissioned by the Federal Environment Agency has shown that temperatures above 26 degrees Celsius could increase the time spent in living rooms by more than half and in offices by around a quarter. This would have a negative impact on comfort and health. It is therefore increasingly important to protect buildings from overheating. As the number of hot days and tropical nights...

Young people are stepping up their efforts to secure their finances and are increasingly investing in shares and real estate. This is the result of a Swiss Life pension report. The pension report shows that the average age of those investing in retirement provision and security has fallen by 1.5 years to 35.4 years over the past ten years. The demand for real estate and...

The Master's degree course "Real Estate and Facilities - Management and Technology" at the Rhineland-Palatinate University of Technology Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) will also be offered on a part-time basis from the coming winter semester. Registration for the winter semester is still possible until Friday, September 15. In the Master's program, students can expand their knowledge in the areas of strategy,...

The Federal Cabinet has passed an amendment to the Energy Industry Act (EnWG). This is intended to drive forward the development of a hydrogen core network in Germany. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck emphasizes: "Our goal is to quickly ramp up the hydrogen market in order to further promote the decarbonization of economic sectors with high greenhouse gas emissions...

Hairdressers that were closed during the first lockdown in spring 2020 are not entitled to compensation for loss of income. This was recently decided by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) (III ZR 41/22). In this case, a self-employed hairdresser had filed a lawsuit. She claimed compensation for the six-week closure of her business as part of the fight against the pandemic...

The German parquet industry is facing new challenges, also with regard to international trade. According to the Association of the German Parquet Industry (vdp), the turnover of member companies in Germany rose by 6 percent to 274.4 million euros in 2022, partly due to price increases in the supply chain. However, parquet sales fell by 11.7 percent to 7.7 million...