Property Valuation
Renovation Potential Report
Renovation cost calculator per square meter
Planning a renovation and worried about unpredictable costs? Many property owners underestimate the effort by up to 30%. This article shows you how to plan accurately with a renovation cost calculator per square metre and avoid common cost traps.
With access to Google, BORIS, and Deep Research.
The renovation costs for a house typically range from €500 to €1,500 per square metre, depending on the condition and scope.
An energy renovation can reduce energy consumption by up to 75% and is subsidised by the government up to 45%.
An individual renovation roadmap (iSFP) not only increases the subsidy rate but also doubles the eligible costs to €60,000.
Is your property due for renovation and you're wondering what realistic costs are? The answer is more complex than a simple figure. Renovation costs per square metre can range from €400 to over €1,500, depending on the condition, fittings, and energy efficiency goals. An online calculator can provide an initial, valuable guide, but the true costs lie in the details. We guide you through the main cost blocks, from energy-efficient renovations to interior fittings, and show you how to plan your budget in a data-driven and secure way. This way, you can turn a financial burden into a value-enhancing investment.
A renovation is an investment that can increase the value of your property by 15% or more. Before you start, you should be aware of the key cost factors.
Cost range: Expect to pay between €500 and €1,500 per square metre for a comprehensive house renovation.
Energy measures: A complete energy renovation costs an average of €89,000 for a 110 m² house but can reduce energy consumption by 75%.
Making use of grants: State subsidies from KfW and BAFA can reduce costs by up to 45%.
Hidden costs: Always plan a buffer of 15-20% for unforeseen expenses, such as renewing electrical installations.
Calculator as a tool: A renovation cost per square metre calculator is ideal for an initial estimate but does not replace detailed quotes from professional companies.
This overview serves as a starting point for detailed budgeting, which we will explore further in the following sections.
Wondering why there is such a wide range in renovation costs? The condition and construction year of your property are the biggest factors. A pre-1960s building often requires a complete renovation costing around €1,200/m², whereas a house from the 1990s might only need a modernisation for €600/m². The structural condition determines up to 50% of the total costs.
The scope of the measures is also crucial. A simple bathroom renovation starts at about €3,000, while renewing the entire home technology (electrics, heating, plumbing) can quickly exceed €25,000. The geographic location affects the cost of tradespeople, which can be up to 20% higher in southern Germany compared to the north. A precise analysis of the renovation requirements is therefore the first step towards a reliable calculation. The complexity of the measures determines the final investment amount.
The Building Energy Act (GEG) mandates energy improvements for certain construction measures, such as the replacement of boilers over 30 years old. However, these obligations are also an opportunity. An energy-efficient renovation can reduce heating costs by up to 90% and make you more independent from energy price fluctuations. The investments are considerable but profitable.
Here is a breakdown of typical costs:
Facade insulation: Expect to pay between €60 and €250 per square metre, depending on the insulation system.
Roof insulation: Costs range from €40 to €160 per square metre.
Window replacement: Modern triple glazing costs about €290 to €390 per square metre of window area.
Heating replacement: A new heat pump including installation starts at around €10,000.
In particular, the insulation of the building envelope often pays for itself after just 10 to 15 years. An energy renovation calculator helps identify the most profitable measures. State subsidies are another lever to maximize profitability.
The Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings (BEG) is your key tool for reducing costs. Through the KfW Bank and BAFA, you can receive significant grants and low-interest loans. For a complete renovation to an efficiency house, the KfW offers loans up to €150,000 in Programme 261 with a repayment grant of up to 45%. This means the government forgives almost half of your loan amount.
For individual measures such as new insulation or windows, BAFA provides a basic grant of 15%. This rate increases by an additional 5% (iSFP bonus) if the measure is part of an individual refurbishment roadmap (iSFP). Such a plan, created by a certified energy consultant, also doubles the eligible costs from €30,000 to €60,000 per housing unit. Engaging an expert is subsidised at 50% as well. A funding check is therefore essential for optimal financing.
A calculator for renovation costs per square metre is an excellent tool for initial planning. It analyses your inputs regarding building type, construction year, and living area to provide a cost estimate within minutes. This allows you to explore different scenarios: What does a partial renovation cost compared to a full renovation? What impact does higher-quality equipment have?
However, note the limitations: The calculators work with statistical averages and cannot account for individual circumstances such as a complex floor plan or specific damage cases. Use the calculator's result as a budget framework for the first conversation with banks and craftsmen. For binding planning, a detailed renovation potential report based on an on-site analysis is the more reliable foundation. It provides not only exact costs but also strategic prioritisation of measures.
The renovation costs per square metre are not a fixed value, but the result of a multitude of factors. Careful planning, which begins with an online calculator and culminates in a professional analysis, is the key to success. An average house renovation costs between €500 and €1,500 per square metre, but by skilfully utilising up to 45% of state funding, it becomes a highly profitable investment.
Unsure where to start? The Auctoa ImmoGPT can provide you with an initial assessment of your renovation needs and the potential costs – data-driven and in just a few seconds. A solid data foundation is the best insurance against unpleasant surprises and maximises the value of your property.
Statistisches Bundesamt provides information on construction prices and the real estate price index in Germany.
Statista offers statistics on the costs of energy-efficient renovations of rental properties in Germany.
KfW provides information on funding programmes for energy-efficient renovations for private individuals.
Handwerkskammer Berlin provides an article about the costs of energy-efficient renovation of residential buildings.
Verbraucherzentrale offers information on the topic of energy-efficient renovation.
Deutsche Bundesbank provides statistics on real estate and construction performance prices.
ifo Institut offers an article on the lack of orders in residential construction.
How accurate is an online calculator for renovation costs?
Online calculators provide a good initial orientation based on statistical averages. They are ideal for initial budget planning. However, for a binding calculation, they are too inaccurate because they cannot account for individual circumstances such as the exact condition of the building fabric, regional price differences among tradespeople, or complex floor plans.
Which renovation measure has the best cost-benefit ratio?
Insulating the top floor ceiling and the facade often offers the quickest payback and greatest energy savings. These measures can reduce heating costs by 30-50%. In combination with government subsidies, the cost-benefit ratio improves further.
Do I need to hire an energy consultant for KfW funding?
Yes, for most KfW funding programmes in the renovation sector (e.g., loan 261), the involvement of a certified energy efficiency expert (EEE) is mandatory. The expert confirms compliance with the technical minimum requirements. The costs for this consultation are also subsidised by up to 50%.
Can I deduct renovation costs from taxes?
Yes, as an alternative to direct funding, you can claim the costs for energy-efficient renovation measures on owner-occupied residential property for tax relief. Over three years, 20% of the expenses (up to a maximum of €40,000) can be deducted from the tax liability. However, combining this with other funding for the same measure is excluded.
What is the difference between renovation and modernization?
A renovation addresses defects and restores the original condition (e.g., drying out a damp basement). Modernization, on the other hand, improves the standard of the property beyond its original condition, enhances living comfort, or increases energy efficiency (e.g., installing a new heating system or a modern bathroom).
How can Auctoa assist with cost planning?
Auctoa provides data-driven tools such as ImmoGPT for quick preliminary assessments and detailed renovation potential reports. These analyses go beyond generic calculators by evaluating object-specific data and providing you with reliable, prioritized action and cost planning. This way, you can make informed decisions.
