Cost estimate for the renovation of a single-family house from 1960

The house is from 1960 - approx. 150 sqm on just under 800 sqm of land. The roof goes down relatively far - knee wall on the upper floor about 1m - attic not developed.

1960 really knee wall 1m or do you mean a dormer? - what is supposed to be done: only modernization, without extension, additional storey or the like?

I agree with . I think you will have to do quite a bit yourselves for the 200k to be enough. You can easily do the demolition yourself, as well as the insulation between the rafters (pay attention to the vapor barrier brake). Floors and lightweight walls/drywall are quite doable as well. Some things really hit the budget hard, we are realizing that too right now. 50k for the new roof, 20k for new windows, plus heating etc. We are now at 250k, but in our case it will also be a KFW house in the end with the corresponding subsidy.

Have an iSFP made, then you will have a cost estimate excluding the interior work and possibly secure the 25% BEG subsidy via BAFA for the individual measures related to insulation at the same time. It will cost you about 600,-€. At least, that's how I proceed with my clients.

We finished our major renovation a few months ago. The structure was great (~ built around 1960 / ~150m²) and we did almost 2 years of own work (complete electrical work, gutting, shell construction, painting, drywall, etc...) and worked without an architect. We have the luxury of many craftsmen and construction engineers among our acquaintances. Our rough costs were:

Roof 32k
Windows + front door 9k
Venetian blinds (only one window front) 2k
Heating (3 floors underfloor heating) 16k
Water/ sewage 7k
Interior plaster 15k
Electrical materials 3k
Painting materials 1k
Construction debris 4k
Natural stone 4k
Drying (inside) 6k
Facing shell + perimeter insulation + drainage outside 19k
Screed 3k
Drywall 5k
Interior doors 6k
Tiles 14k
Floor coverings 9k
Sanitary installation 9k
Outdoor stairs 3k
Balcony waterproofing 2k
Exterior plaster repairs 3k
Building materials 7k
Home network 2k
Exterior plaster + insulation on one side of the house 14k

All in all, including the kitchen, about 190k and over 2 years of own work. We had imagined it to be a bit cheaper, but we are still satisfied. There are a few things we would certainly do differently now, but we are satisfied. Converting the cellar into a living cellar was probably not the smartest economic decision and ripping out all floors to install underfloor heating everywhere is also Pandora’s box in an old building with wooden beam ceilings :). Good luck with your project!

That's true, that's definitely a huge item

The windows are still okay and will remain original for now. Just replacing the windows can become dangerous because the wall is uninsulated, and with new windows we would probably reduce the U-value of the wall. No desire for mold in the place, so the windows will probably be addressed as a package with the facade in a few years when the windows are worn out.

Thanks for the other feedback, that already helped.

I can gladly do that. Here is a list with the approximate values. However, I have to say that my dad runs a small building materials business for ecological building materials and therefore some materials were sourced through equity.

Heating / Water / Sewage (Total costs: 29,500 Euro):

Own work (Material: 1,000 Euro):
- Removing old radiators and pipes / conduits and making grooves and shafts for new pipes / conduits
- Masoning heating niches

External work (28,500 Euro):
- Tank disposal
- Gas connection
- New heating (gas) / radiators / pipes / conduits


Electrical (Total costs: 6,000 Euro):

Own work (Material: 3,000 Euro):
- Grooving (opening and closing)
- Installing main distributor and two sub-distributors
- Pulling cables
- Purchasing and wiring sockets and switches

External work (3,000 Euro):
- Wiring of main and distributor boxes + inspection


14 windows / 1 door (Total costs: 5,000 Euro):

Own work (Material: 3,300 Euro):
- Removing and disposing old windows
- Ordering new windows via the Internet

External work (1,700 Euro):
- Installation by local carpenter


Roof insulation ([U]Total costs: 4,000 Euro)[/U]

Own work (3,500 Euro):
- Covering area, vapor barrier, insulating, underlay, new battens, roofing
- Substructure, 20 cm cellulose fill
- New attic stairs

External work (500 Euro):
- Scaffolding


Bathroom 6 m² and WC 3 m² ([U]Total costs: 10,000 Euro):[/U]

Own work (Material: 5,000 Euro)
- Gutting
- Bathroom equipment ordered via Internet
- Tiles from Bauhaus
- Installation sanitary

External work (5,000 Euro):
- Tiling
- Shower enclosure with installation


Floor ([U]Total costs: 8,000 Euro)[/U]

Own work (Material: 8,000 Euro):
- Removing old floors (carpet)
- Laying new floor


Walls ([U]Total costs: 10,000 Euro):[/U]

Own work (Material: 2,500 Euro):
- Removing old wallpaper
- Material procurement
- Primed
- Helped a bit

External work (7,500 Euro):
- Fine lime plaster downstairs
- Painter’s fleece + textured paint upstairs


Interior doors ([U]Total costs: 5,000 Euro):[/U]

External work:
- Completely new (9 pcs. completely by local carpenter including installation)


The remaining approx. 10,000 Euro went for waste and construction debris disposal as well as for small items (a bit of masonry, paint, etc.)