Die größten Überraschungen bei der TGA Planung für unser Gebäude

When we started our construction project, I initially thought that the technical building services (TGA) planning in Germany —the building services—was a small part of the whole. In my mind, buildings were primarily about architecture, structural engineering, and design. The TGA seemed more like a detail that could be planned „on the side.“ But I quickly realized: It’s the core, without which nothing works.

Surprise 1 – how complex everything really is

My first big surprise was the complexity. Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, electricity, fire protection , security systems – all of this not only had to be planned, but also perfectly coordinated. Even small errors or missing interfaces could have massive repercussions. Some days, it felt like I was trying to solve a puzzle where every piece had to fit in multiple directions.

Surprise 2 – the enormous impact on costs

Another eye-opener was the extent to which MEP planning impacts overall costs. At first, I thought it was „just“ about the technology behind the scenes. But the deeper we delved into the planning, the clearer it became: A good or bad MEP decision can save or cost millions. Efficiency, funding opportunities, and long-term operating costs play at least as important a role as the investment itself.

Surprise 3 – Sustainability as a game changer

I was particularly pleasantly surprised by the significant role sustainability plays in modern building services planning. I would never have imagined that concepts like heat recovery, photovoltaic integration, or CO₂-neutral solutions would be so naturally incorporated into the planning process. For us, this was not just a technical decision, but also a strategic one: We wanted a building that was future-proof and reflected our values.

Surprise 4 – how important the right communication is

Perhaps the biggest personal surprise was how crucial communication with everyone involved was. Architects, specialist planners, clients, tradespeople – everyone had their own perspectives. Without clear coordination, we could easily have gotten bogged down. For me, this was a lesson: MEP planning isn’t just about technology; it’s also about teamwork.

My conclusion – a journey full of aha moments

In the end, I no longer viewed MEP planning as a minor matter, but as a crucial factor for the success of our construction project. The many surprises – from complexity and costs to sustainability and communication – showed me that it’s better not to take shortcuts. Today, I’m grateful that we went through this process consciously and thoroughly.