Apartment Renovation in Switzerland: Understanding Your Budget by Trade

Renovating an apartment in Switzerland is a major investment, ranging from a simple cosmetic refresh to a full renovation involving every trade. This guide breaks down the cost factors trade by trade, and explains the specific rules for condominium ownership (PPE), the administrative steps and the criteria for choosing the right tradespeople in French-speaking Switzerland.

What determines the overall budget

The cost of a renovation cannot be reduced to a single figure: it depends on the scale of the project. Here are the main levels of renovation, for a 3.5-room apartment (about 80–90 m²):

The more you touch concealed technical installations (pipework, wiring), the more unknowns the project carries. Assessing the existing condition before requesting quotes helps avoid unpleasant surprises.

Detailed budget by trade

Each trade involved in an apartment renovation has its own cost factors. Understanding them helps you read a quote with more perspective.

Plumbing and sanitary installations

Plumbing is often the least predictable item in an apartment renovation. The cost varies according to:

• the condition of the existing pipework (copper, galvanised steel, lead to be replaced);
• the complexity of any relocation: replacing a fixture like for like is much simpler than changing the position of supply and waste connections;
• kitchen connections (sink, dishwasher);
• the possible replacement of the riser if it is deteriorated, which is always priced by quotation.

In a PPE, work on shared risers must be coordinated with the manager and may require approval from the owners’ meeting. See our guide to plumber costs in Switzerland to understand how interventions are invoiced.

Electrical work

Electrical work in a Swiss apartment must strictly comply with the NIBT (SEV 1000) standard. All electrical work must be carried out by a licensed electrician, who will issue a safety report once the work is finished. The cost depends in particular on:

• the age and condition of the electrical panel, which may need replacing if it is obsolete;
• the extent of the upgrade of the installation to current standards;
• the number of dedicated circuits, for example for a renovated kitchen (oven, hob, dishwasher);
• options such as home automation or built-in LED lighting, where the level of equipment makes the bill vary considerably.

Kitchen

Renovating a kitchen is often the most visible investment. Three main categories can be distinguished:

• Standard kitchen: standardised units, simple installation, limited choice of finishes;
• Semi-custom kitchen: adaptable modules, choice of worktops and fronts;
• Custom kitchen: designed for the room, high-end materials, longer manufacturing lead times.

Appliances, worktops, taps and the plumbing and electrical adjustments are added to the price of the units. For the details of each item and the gas regulations, see our guide to kitchen renovation in Switzerland: budget and steps.

Bathroom

Renovating a bathroom is the second major item. The cost depends above all on the degree of intervention:

• Light renovation: replacing the sanitaryware and taps, without touching the tiling;
• Standard full renovation: removal, waterproofing, tiling, new sanitaryware in the existing positions;
• Renovation with relocation of the sanitaryware: work on the drainage and the slab, and therefore more work for the plumber and the mason.

Waterproofing, ventilation and the choice of tiles also clearly influence the end result. See our complete guide to bathroom renovation in Switzerland for all the details.

Floor coverings

The choice of floor coverings has a significant impact on both appearance and budget. Each material has its strengths:

The total cost includes supply, laying, preparation of the substrate and removal of the old covering. An uneven substrate or a screed that needs redoing can change the bill appreciably.

Painting and finishes

Painting is the most visible item and one of the most accessible. The cost depends on:

• the area to be painted (walls, ceilings, woodwork);
• the condition of the surfaces: filling, sanding and plastering before the finishing coats;
• the number of coats and the quality of the paint;
• decorative finishes such as decorative plaster or tadelakt, reserved for the high end.

PPE rules: what you need to know

If your apartment is in a PPE (propriété par étages, condominium ownership), Swiss law (CC art. 712 ff., the Swiss Civil Code) distinguishes two types of rights:

• Private parts (your apartment, cellar, parking space): you manage their upkeep and renovation freely, provided you do not affect the common parts or the other owners
• Common parts (roof, façades, stairwell, shared service risers, shared heating): their renovation is decided by the owners’ meeting

Before any work involving shared water risers, party walls or slabs (major openings), notify the PPE manager in writing and check the rules of use and administration. Some regulations impose strict hours for noisy work, generally during the day and on weekdays, with a break at midday.

Planning the project: how to coordinate

For a full apartment renovation, the order of interventions is crucial. The usual sequence in Switzerland:

• Start of the project: demolition, removal of floors, demolition of non-load-bearing partitions
• Next: structural masonry work (if new partitions), plumbing risers
• Then: concealed plumbing, electrical chasing
• Screed (if necessary): allow sufficient drying time before laying the floor coverings
• Tiling of the bathroom, wall tiles in the kitchen
• Floor laying (parquet, vinyl)
• Final electrical fit-out: sockets, switches, panels
• Installation of the kitchen and the bathroom fixtures
• Painting and finishes
• End of the project: cleaning, handover inspections, checks

The total duration depends on the scale of the work, the drying of the materials and the availability of each trade. Allow a margin for the unexpected.

To coordinate all these trades, you can either appoint each tradesperson separately (often cheaper, but you handle the coordination), or entrust the project to a general contractor or an architect (fees are added, in exchange for coordination by a single point of contact).

How to choose your tradespeople in Switzerland

The Swiss renovation market is very active. A few practical rules:

• Require the CFC (Federal Certificate of Proficiency) or the federal diploma for each trade: plumber CFC, electrician CFC, tiler CFC, painter CFC
• Check the specific authorisations: the electrician must hold NIBT authorisation (registered with ESTI); the gas plumber must hold a cantonal certificate for gas work
• Ask for several quotes and compare them in detail (labour and materials, deadlines, warranties)
• Check professional liability cover: ask for a certificate of professional liability insurance before the work begins
• Draw up a works contract under CO art. 363 ff. (Swiss Code of Obligations), with a detailed quote, deadlines and staged payment terms

To get started, you can describe your project on the quote request page: you will receive proposals to compare against the same specification.

Tax deductibility of renovation work

In Switzerland, apartment renovation work is partly tax-deductible for owners. Three cases arise:

• Deductible maintenance costs: like-for-like replacement (a similar new bathroom, a new kitchen of equivalent standard, paint, floor coverings). Deductible from taxable income in the year of the work.
• Deductible energy-saving improvements: insulation, replacement of windows with double or triple glazing, replacement of the heating with a renewable energy source. Spreading the deduction over several years is possible in some cantons.
• Value-adding work not deductible from income: extensions, additional storeys, significant modernisation, but deductible from the property gain on a sale.

Keep all original invoices showing VAT. For a major renovation, the advice of an accountant or tax adviser is recommended, to split the expenses properly between maintenance costs and value-adding work.

Preparing your project before requesting quotes

A well-prepared project makes it easier to compare offers and limits surprises during the work:

• Define your priorities: distinguish what is essential (compliance with standards, waterproofing, outdated installations) from what is a matter of comfort or appearance.
• Take stock of the existing condition: measure the rooms, note the age of the installations, look for signs of damp or mould.
• Write a common specification: if every tradesperson prices the same scope, the quotes become comparable item by item.
• Set aside a reserve for the unexpected: in an older building, opening a partition or a floor sometimes reveals hidden defects.
• Plan for lead times: orders for kitchens, windows or specific tiles can take time, which determines the order of the work.
• Inform the property agency or landlord if you are a tenant: any major alteration requires their written consent.