Renovating a house in Switzerland: tips and costs
Want to renovate your house? Comparis explains how to go about a renovation project and how much it will cost.
03.04.2024
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1. Renovating a house: where do I start?
Whether you’re renovating an old building or carrying out routine maintenance work, you shouldn’t begin anything without planning first. The following steps can help you:
| 1. Wish list | What do I want to renovate? |
|---|---|
| 2. Building analysis by an expert | What is possible and what type of renovation makes sense in terms of building services and technology? |
| 3. Planning | What are the different stages of the renovation? |
| 4. Financing | How can I finance the renovation? |
Comparis tip: in Switzerland, house renovations cost a lot of money. However, you can deduct the cost of value-preserving maintenance work from your taxable income.
Mortgage financing
One way of financing larger renovation projects is to increase the mortgage. Contact experts early on in the process.
In many cases, you will need an official building permit in order to make renovations to your house. If you are planning to build an extension or a new garage on your property, for example, you will definitely need a permit.
The situation for interior work is a little different. If the existing rooms will continue to be used in the same way, you won’t normally need a permit. However, a permit is usually required if you plan to move walls or add more doors or windows.
2. What should I renovate first?
To maintain its value in the long-term, a property needs to be kept up-to-date in terms of energy efficiency, technology and construction standard. Check regularly whether minor or major renovations are necessary. The service life table provides a useful guide.
Generally speaking, renovations repair defects and damages and can remove signs of wear and tear. A renovation should make the living space a more attractive place to live. On the other hand, a modernization aims to bring a property up-to-date with the latest technology.
An example of renovation is the repair of a leaking roof or painting the walls. An example of modernization would be replacing an oil heater with a heat pump.
It’s not always easy to tell the difference between these terms.
Repairing damages or anything harmful should take priority. Focus on removing any asbestos before replacing outdated internal doors, for instance. In addition, you should start with renovations outside. Only begin indoor work when outdoor work is finished.
Possible stages of renovating a house
Improve the outdoor area (e.g. windows, blinds and awnings, façade, balcony).
Renovate the roof.
Replace the heating system to improve energy efficiency.
Renovate the kitchen, bathroom and pipework (could also be done as part of the third stage).
Good to know: if you aim to renovate an old house, it’s usually cheaper to carry out a full renovation in one go than to complete it in stages.
3. What types of building renovation are there?
Before you renovate the interior, you should finish your house’s exterior. This includes the roof, the façade and replacing any concrete. This can help you improve the building’s energy efficiency.
Concrete is not as indestructible as many think. Moisture, air and pollutants can penetrate and attack the steel that holds the concrete elements together. You can prevent this by using corrosion protection products, thereby making the concrete more stable.
If your concrete is damaged however, you’ll need to contact a specialist. Costs are usually around several hundred francs per square metre.
Roofs usually have a lifespan of up to 60 years. Flat roofs need more maintenance than pitched roofs. In Switzerland, tradesmen use different methods for calculating the cost of renovating a flat roof. Generally speaking, renovation costs in Switzerland are around 150-300 francs.
Do you want to renovate an old farmhouse that is also a listed building? That’s certainly possible. However, it's important to check with the cantonal authorities at an early stage regarding your renovation plans. If they involve preserving a listed building, you may be eligible for some financial assistance.
Renovating the façade of a house is very time-consuming and expensive. Depending on the material, a façade’s service life can be up to 50 years. However, since it’s exposed to wind and weather, you should check the façade regularly for cracks and other damage. The costs are usually calculated per square metre and can be broken down into the following areas:
Scaffolding
Cleaning
Painting
Renovation work
Comparis tip: when renovating a façade, take the opportunity to improve any thermal insulation. You may pay a little more for this in the short term, but you will save on heating costs in the long term.
4. Renovating a bathroom: what do I need to know?
The different parts of a bathroom have different lifespans. Ceramic washbasins and toilets usually last for 35 years, while bathroom furniture may last between ten and 25 years, depending on the quality.
Bathtubs and shower trays have a service life of between 20 and 35 years. Fittings last around 20 years. You should consider replacing your entire bathroom after 30 years.
Renovating a bathroom: costs in Switzerland
The approximate cost of renovating an eight-square-metre bathroom in Switzerland:
Budget modernization: between 20,000 and 25,000 francs (standard fittings, no redesign)
Extensive renovation: between 25,000 and 50,000 francs (rewiring, new water pipes and superior-quality bathroom fittings)
If moving walls: from 50,000 francs
Large tiles, luxury furniture and fittings or the installation of a freestanding bathtub will push the price up further.
5. When should I renovate my kitchen?
You should consider replacing your entire kitchen after around 25 years. Like with the bathroom, the cost depends on the standard of finish and the size of the kitchen.
Renovating a kitchen: costs in Switzerland
The following examples refer to the installation of kitchens including electrical appliances. Redesign work is not included.
Budget-range kitchen: about 20,000 francs
Mid-range kitchen: between 25,000 and 45,000 francs
High-end kitchen: from 50,000 francs
6. Replacing a parquet floor: what do I need to know?
A solid wood parquet floor lasts about 40 years. However, remember that you can improve the look of your existing parquet floor by sanding it. If the floor has a wear layer of four to six millimetres, you can usually sand it twice. You can also have the floor stained if you wish.
New parquet flooring: costs in Switzerland
Prices for a new parquet floor begin at around 40 francs per square metre but vary according to quality, finish and size. The cost of laying it is around 60 francs per square metre.
Please note: prices depend heavily on the quality of the wood, the subfloor and your place of residence. If you want to update the under-floor heating at the same time as replacing the parquet floor, the cost will be higher.
7. Replacing doors and windows: what are the costs?
Doors and windows will fall within roughly the following price range:
Windows: new windows will cost between 300 and 600 francs per square metre, depending on the quality.
Internal doors: these range from 120 francs, including door handle set and frame, to several hundred francs.
Front door: prices start at 1,000 francs for a plastic/uPVC door, 2,000 francs for an aluminium door and 3,000 francs for a wooden door.
Then there is the cost of hiring a professional to replace the doors and windows. This usually costs between 50 and 75 francs per hour. If you have the right tools and know-how, you can fit internal doors yourself.
8. How can I finance renovation costs?
Before deciding on how to finance your project, you need a full assessment of the costs involved. Include a financial reserve of 5-10% for cost overruns and unforeseen events. Consider the cost of building permits and the possibility that you may need to move out temporarily if your house is not habitable during the renovation.
Take advantage of federal and cantonal grants. The state will make a contribution towards the cost of thermally insulating the building envelope. Some cantons provide additional funding to convert your home to “Minergie” standard. Find out about the conditions applying to the buildings programme in your canton.
Increasing a mortgage to fund renovation work
You can often finance bigger and expensive renovation projects by increasing your mortgage. Independent mortgage specialists can help you find the right financing for you.
This article was first published on 22.11.2020
