Guides
Practical knowledge: renovating, carpentry and building permits in and around Zurich. Honest, concrete, no jargon.
26 guides, sorted by topic. Each answers the question in its title, gives real figures in francs and says where things get expensive.
Renovation and remodelling in Zurich · First conversation, free
Renovation and remodelling
Renovating a house in Switzerland: costs and process
The overview: what a renovation costs, the right order of decisions, and where to find the in-depth guides.
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House refurbishment: from partial upgrade to full gut renovation
The terms clearly separated, the right order of trades, and the subsidies that come with it.
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Apartment renovation: what works and what doesn't
Understanding condominium ownership, respecting the house rules — and finding the wasted square metres in your floor plan.
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Removing a wall: what a wall opening costs
Load-bearing or not — the one question that decides between thousands and tens of thousands.
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Renovating an old house: what matters – and what is special about Zurich
Assess the structure, budget realistically, clarify heritage protection early. With honest figures and the Zurich specifics.
Read article →Bathroom and kitchen
Bathroom renovation in Switzerland: what it costs and how it works
Honest cost ranges, duration, and the four mistakes that make every bathroom renovation more expensive.
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Kitchen renovation in Switzerland: costs and process
The one question that decides your budget, and the way to an open kitchen without nasty surprises.
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Bathroom remodel: ten ideas that genuinely improve your bathroom
From fittings to daylight: ten proven ideas, each with an honest price range.
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Bathtub out, walk-in shower in: costs and process
Switzerland's most popular small bathroom upgrade: one week, a clear price, no more stepping over the rim.
Read article →More space
Adding a storey to your house: costs and options in Switzerland
When a new floor is possible, why timber has won, and what a square metre costs.
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Attic conversion: from storage space to living space
Head height, insulation, roof windows and permits: what your attic needs to offer and what it costs.
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House extension: planning and costs
Boundary distances, utilization rules, budget — and why the best extension makes the whole house better.
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Adding a conservatory: what it costs in Switzerland
Cold or heated, timber or aluminium, with or without heating: the fundamental questions with honest figures.
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Basement conversion: hobby room, office or guest room
First the moisture, then the light, then the fit-out — making proper use of the cheapest space in the house.
Read article →Farmhouse and barn
Converting a farmhouse: from old beams to a new home
Reading the structure, clarifying protection status, joining old and new — with our own project in Giswil as an example.
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Barn conversion: living space from old farm buildings
The zoning question first, then the new shell within the old structure — with our own project in Giswil.
Read article →Interior fit-out and wood
Interior design with wood: ideas and examples
Where wood shines, which species suits which use, and how to avoid the chalet effect — from a trained carpenter.
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Renovating a wooden staircase: refresh instead of replace
Sanding, oiling, fixing creaks — and when a new staircase is the more honest answer.
Read article →Carpentry and timber construction
Roof renovation in Switzerland: costs and process
When the roof is due, what a square metre costs, and why insulation is the real decision.
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Pergola and carport from a carpenter: made to measure, with costs
Kit or made to measure, honestly compared — and the permit question almost everyone underestimates.
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Timber facade: types, costs and the question of greying
Build-up, cladding forms and species — and why the silver-grey facade is protection, not a defect.
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Building a wooden deck: timber, substructure and costs
Whether the deck lasts ten years or thirty is decided by the substructure — with honest prices per m².
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Installing a roof window: costs and permits
Nowhere else buys this much light for this little money — costs, permits and the mistake with the size.
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Wood panelling and timber ceilings, thought through for today
Between the dark parlour and the modern timber wall lie three decisions: species, profile and dosage.
Read article →Planning and permits
How much does an architect cost in Switzerland?
Percentage, hourly rate or fixed fee: the three fee models explained openly — and what you get for the money.
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Building permit in the Canton of Zurich: what needs one – and what doesn't
Permit required or not? Simplified or standard procedure? The overview without legal jargon, including core zones and heritage protection.
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