Facade renovation restores the exterior envelope of a building: cleaning, repair of the substrate, new rendering or new paint. It protects the masonry from the weather and gives the apartment block or house a well-kept appearance.
This neutral service does not carry out the work: you describe your project online, and the request is passed on to tradespeople and companies in Western Switzerland, who contact you to prepare a free, no-obligation quote.
What a facade renovation involves
The term covers a set of operations, not a single task. Depending on the condition of the wall, a project may combine several of them:
- cleaning the surface: removing dirt, moss, algae or old layers that no longer hold;
- assessing the substrate: spotting cracks, areas that sound hollow, leaks and rusting metal fittings;
- repair: filling cracks, patching damaged render, treating spalled concrete;
- the new finish: rendering, plaster, facade paint or wood stain on timber parts;
- finishing details: window sills, plinths, surrounds, flashings and junctions with the roof.
This work often involves several trades. A plasterer-painter or house painter applies the plaster and paint, a mason repairs the substrate, a sheet-metal worker deals with the metal elements, and a scaffolding company makes the site safe. Depending on how the project is organised, a single contact may coordinate everything, or you may deal with several trades.
When to call a professional
Certain signs show that the facade needs attention:
- rendering that flakes, comes away or sounds hollow when tapped;
- cracks that widen or come back after a touch-up;
- persistent damp, mould or streaking;
- paint that chalks, blisters or peels;
- metal or concrete parts showing rust.
Work at height cannot be improvised. Working on scaffolding, choosing a plaster suited to the substrate and preparing the surfaces all require equipment and experience. Poor preparation is paid for later: the new finish holds badly and the problems return. A professional can also identify the cause of a crack before covering it up, which makes all the difference to the result.
Training and rules in Switzerland
The facade trades are based on recognised vocational training. House painters and plasterer-painters complete an apprenticeship leading to a federal vocational certificate (CFC, Certificat fédéral de capacité). This qualification indicates a training path, but it does not replace your own checks: ask for references from comparable projects and read the offer carefully.
The contract is governed, for the most part, by the Code of Obligations (CO), under the rules on contracts for work. The parties may agree that the SIA 118 standard (the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects’ general conditions for construction work) applies: if so, the contract must say so explicitly, and the quote or agreement must refer to it.
Permits, energy and heritage by canton
A facade renovation is not subject to the same procedures everywhere. The rule depends on the nature of the work (simple restoration or a change of appearance, added insulation), the municipality and any protection on the building. In every case, check with the municipality or the relevant cantonal department before signing.
Geneva. Building permits are issued by the canton, through the Office des autorisations de construire. On energy, the cantonal energy law (LEn) and the cantonal energy office (OCEN) oversee subsidies under the Programme Bâtiments. The canton has many rental buildings run by property management companies, as well as protected districts and an old town: the colour and material of the facade are sensitive matters there.
Vaud. The building permit is issued by the municipality, and the file goes through the cantonal permit centre (CAMAC) when cantonal departments need to give an opinion. The canton has an energy law, an energy directorate and a subsidy programme. The old towns and the Lavaux vineyards, a World Heritage site, call for particular attention to finishes and colours.
Valais. The permit is issued by the municipality within the building zone, and by a cantonal commission outside it. The cantonal energy and hydropower department runs a subsidy programme. For chalets and second homes, the federal law on second homes may apply in the municipalities concerned.
Fribourg. Applications are filed through the cantonal FRIAC platform; the permit is issued by the prefecture or the municipality depending on the type of work. The cantonal energy department runs a subsidy programme. The canton is bilingual and has protected old towns.
Neuchâtel. Applications go through the cantonal SATAC desk, with the decision taken by the municipality. The cantonal energy and environment department runs a subsidy programme. The watchmaking heritage of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, listed by UNESCO, means facades in these towns are especially tightly regulated.
Jura. The permit is issued by the municipality or by the canton depending on the scale of the project. The cantonal energy section runs a subsidy programme. The old towns of Delémont, Porrentruy and Saint-Ursanne have a heritage character to be respected.
Biel/Bienne and the canton of Bern. The permit is issued by the municipality or by the prefecture depending on the project, and the cantonal environment and energy office runs the subsidy programme. Biel/Bienne is officially bilingual: if needed, plan for discussions in both French and German with the companies.
If the facade is insulated from the outside as part of the renovation, energy rules come into play. The conditions for obtaining subsidies, where they exist, should be checked with the cantonal department before work starts.
Preparing your facade renovation quote request
The more precise your description, the more comparable the quotes will be. Gather the following:
- the type of building (detached house, apartment block, co-ownership) and the number of facades concerned;
- the approximate height and access at the foot of the wall (courtyard, street, garden, close neighbours);
- the visible condition: cracks, falling render, damp, timber or metal parts;
- the current finish, if known, and what you want: the same appearance or a change of colour;
- photos taken from a distance and close up, with an overview of each facade;
- your status: owner, co-owner or tenant with the landlord’s agreement;
- any constraints: protected building, sensitive district, timetable linked to an owners’ meeting.
If the building is protected or located in an old-town area, mention it: the choice of materials and colours may be subject to the authorities’ opinion. For a co-owned building, say whether the decision has already been taken or still has to be voted on.
What a reliable quote details
A facade renovation quote is more than a total. At a minimum, it should separate out:
- scaffolding or other means of access, with erection, hire and dismantling;
- protection of the surroundings: windows, floors, plants, vehicles;
- cleaning and preparation of the substrate, with the method planned;
- crack and render repairs, and how they are treated;
- the proposed finish system: primer, plaster or paint, number of coats if the company states it, products and manufacturers;
- finishing details and special points: surrounds, plinths, metal elements;
- waste removal and making good the site;
- payment terms, the planned period of work and the period for which the offer is valid.
Also ask what is not included: unforeseen repairs found once the render is removed, sheet-metal work, insulation. A clear offer on this point avoids surprises during the work.
What affects the cost of a facade renovation
No figure can be given without seeing the building. The cost depends mainly on:
- the surface to be treated and the height, which determine the scaffolding;
- the condition of the substrate: a sound facade is simpler to prepare than a cracked or damp wall;
- the type of finish chosen, its expected durability and how it is applied;
- the complexity of the architecture: balconies, cornices, decorative features, many openings;
- site accessibility and constraints from neighbours;
- heritage or energy requirements linked to the canton, the municipality and the building;
- the time of year, as the weather affects certain plasters and paints.
Only a quote prepared after examining the facade takes these factors into account. Comparing two offers means comparing equivalent services.
Legal warranties after a facade renovation
The Code of Obligations governs the warranty for defects in the work. For work on a building, such as a facade, the period is five years under art. 371 CO. For movable work, it is two years. These periods run from acceptance of the work, and a defect must be reported without delay once it is noticed.
If your contract refers to the SIA 118 standard, it applies in addition. To keep your rights clear, keep the contract, the quote, the invoices and the acceptance report, and record any defects in writing, with dated photos. If in doubt, legal advice or a homeowners’ association can help.
Request a facade renovation quote near you
To receive proposals from companies in your area, request a quote describing your facade, its condition and what you expect. The quote is free and without obligation. The canton pages below bring together local information:
Updated 29 October 2026