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Thermal insulation in Western Switzerland

Facades, roof, attic, cellar, windows: describe your thermal insulation project in Western Switzerland and receive free, no-obligation quotes.

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A poorly insulated house or building loses part of its heat through the roof, the walls, the floor and the windows. Thermal insulation aims to reduce these losses by working on the building envelope, without touching the heating itself.

This page presents the trade and the most common works, what differs from one French-speaking canton to another, and how to prepare a request. SOS Travaux is a neutral matchmaking service: you describe your project online, your request is passed on to tradespeople and companies in the region, who contact you to prepare a free, no-obligation quote.

Thermal insulation: facades, roof, cellars and windows

The trade covers several types of work, which are not all handled by the same trades.

  • Facades: the insulation can be fitted on the outside (with a render or cladding over it) or on the inside, against the walls of the living areas.
  • Roofs and attics: insulation between or under the rafters, or on the floor of unused attics. This is often the most obvious item in an older house.
  • Floors and cellars: insulation of the slab or of the cellar ceiling, to limit the feeling of a cold floor on the ground floor.
  • Thermal bridges: concrete balconies, lintels, junctions between wall and roof. These are areas where heat escapes more easily and where condensation can appear.
  • Windows: replacing the glazing and frames completes the insulation of the walls; it should be planned together with the facade so that the connections are neat.

A successful project links these elements together. Insulating a facade without treating the junction with the roof, for example, leaves a weak point in the best place for heat to escape.

When to call an insulation specialist

Several signs call for an opinion:

  • rooms that are hard to heat, or walls that feel cold to the touch in winter;
  • traces of damp or mould in corners, behind furniture;
  • a roof or attic that has never been insulated, or was insulated a very long time ago;
  • old windows that let air through;
  • a facade or roof renovation that is already planned, offering the chance to include insulation.

An insulation job affects the structure, the moisture and the ventilation of the building. A design error, such as insulation fitted on the wrong side of a wall, can cause damage that only appears after several winters. Hiring a professional is therefore advisable as soon as the works go beyond simple DIY.

Insulation in Western Switzerland: training, standards and CECB

Several building envelope trades (facade worker, roofer, carpenter, joiner) are learned through an apprenticeship ending in a federal certificate of proficiency (CFC). The qualification does not remove the need to ask questions: ask the company what references it can provide for works similar to yours.

On the planning side, the CECB, the cantonal energy certificate for buildings, draws up an assessment of the envelope and suggests renovation options. It helps decide where to start: roof, facades, windows or cellars. It also serves as a basis for discussion with the companies you consult.

Possible subsidies go through the Buildings Programme, whose conditions depend on the canton. They generally have to be applied for before the works begin. Always check with your cantonal energy department what applies to your project.

Permits and energy: what differs between Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Jura and Biel/Bienne

Insulating a facade from the outside changes the appearance of the building: depending on the municipality and the building, a permit may be needed. The procedure differs from one canton to another. In every case, check with the municipality or the competent cantonal department.

Geneva. Building permits are issued by the canton, through the Office des autorisations de construire (building permits office). On energy matters, the cantonal energy law (LEn) applies, and the Office cantonal de l’énergie (OCEN) manages the Buildings Programme subsidies. Many rental buildings are managed by property agencies, and the old town as well as some districts are protected. See the page on the canton of Geneva.

Vaud. The building permit is issued by the municipality, with the file going through the cantonal permits centre (CAMAC) when cantonal departments need to give an opinion. The Vaud energy law and the cantonal energy directorate oversee the subsidy programme. Old towns and the Lavaux vineyards, a World Heritage site, call for particular attention. See the page on the canton of Vaud.

Valais. The building permit is issued by the municipality within the building zone, and by a cantonal commission outside it. The cantonal service for energy and hydropower manages the subsidy programme. Chalets and second homes are numerous, and the federal law on second homes applies in the municipalities concerned. See the page on the canton of Valais.

Fribourg. Building permit applications are filed through the cantonal platform FRIAC; the permit is issued by the prefecture or the municipality depending on the type of works. The cantonal energy department manages the subsidy programme. The canton is bilingual and has protected old towns. See the page on the canton of Fribourg.

Neuchâtel. Applications go through the cantonal one-stop shop SATAC, with the decision lying with the municipality. The cantonal service for energy and the environment handles the subsidy programme. The watchmaking heritage of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, listed by UNESCO, deserves to be taken into account for any facade project. See the page on the canton of Neuchâtel.

Jura. The building permit is issued by the municipality or by the canton depending on the scale of the project. The cantonal energy section manages the subsidy programme. Delémont, Porrentruy and Saint-Ursanne have old towns. See the page on the canton of Jura.

Biel/Bienne and the canton of Bern. The building permit is issued by the municipality or the prefecture depending on the project, and the cantonal office for the environment and energy handles subsidies. Biel/Bienne is officially bilingual, French and German: you can write your request in either language. See the page on the canton of Bern.

Altitude, winters and older buildings: adapting insulation to the region

Requirements are not the same in Lausanne, by the lake, as in the Valais mountains or the Jura heights. The longer and harsher the winter, the more the building envelope matters for comfort and for the heating bill. A chalet or mountain house, often used intermittently, also raises the question of moisture and ventilation.

In older buildings, thick walls of stone or traditional materials react to moisture differently from a recent wall. An unsuitable insulation can trap water in the wall. Ask the company to explain its choice of material and how the wall will continue to breathe. In an old town or protected district, the facade is often the sensitive point: internal insulation, or treating only the roof and cellars, may then be the workable route.

Preparing your insulation quote request

The more precise the request, the more comparable the quotes. If possible, gather:

  • the municipality, the type of building (house, apartment building, co-ownership) and its approximate age;
  • your status: owner, tenant (with the landlord’s agreement), co-ownership, small business;
  • the areas concerned: facades, roof, attic, cellars, windows;
  • photos of the areas to be treated, and the CECB if there is one;
  • known constraints: protected building, works in an occupied site, desired schedule.

In co-ownership, the decision generally rests with the owners’ meeting: the co-owners’ agreement must be obtained before the works.

What a reliable insulation quote should detail

A useful quote describes the works rather than summing them up in one line. Check that it specifies:

  • the surfaces to be treated and the method (from the outside, from the inside, between rafters);
  • the type of insulation, its thickness and the planned finishes;
  • how thermal bridges and the connections with windows and roof are handled;
  • scaffolding, site protection, waste removal;
  • the formalities that are the company’s responsibility or yours (permit, subsidy application);
  • the payment terms and the announced timescales, which should remain realistic and be in writing.

Several factors affect the cost: the surface area, access to the facade, the choice of material, the condition of the substrate, the need for scaffolding, the complexity of the connections, and the requirements linked to a protected building. That is why no amount is given here: only a quote drawn up after a visit reflects your situation. Comparing several quotes helps to spot what is included in one and not in another.

The Code of Obligations (CO) governs the warranty for defects in the work. For work on immovable property, such as facade or roof insulation, the five-year period set out in article 371 CO applies for certain defects. For movable items, it is two years. If the contract refers to the SIA 118 standard, its provisions apply in addition.

In practice, report a defect in writing as soon as you notice it and keep the contract, the quote and the invoices. For a specific case, turn to a legal adviser or to a tenants’ or homeowners’ association.

Thermal insulation near you: city pages

For a project in a specific city, see the dedicated page:

Is your project ready to be described? You can request a quote: the request is free and without obligation.

Updated 29 October 2026

Thermal insulation: pages by town

Thermal insulation – BienneThermal insulation – BulleThermal insulation – CarougeThermal insulation – DelémontThermal insulation – FribourgThermal insulation – GenevaThermal insulation – La Chaux-de-FondsThermal insulation – LancyThermal insulation – LausanneThermal insulation – MartignyThermal insulation – MontheyThermal insulation – MontreuxThermal insulation – MorgesThermal insulation – NeuchâtelThermal insulation – NyonThermal insulation – SierreThermal insulation – SionThermal insulation – VernierThermal insulation – VeveyThermal insulation – Yverdon-les-Bains

Practical guides

Thermal insulation in SwitzerlandEnergy renovation: subsidies

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to insulate a facade from the outside?
External insulation changes the appearance and sometimes the thickness of the facade: a permit may be required depending on the municipality and the building. Check with the municipality or the competent cantonal department before signing anything. A building in an old town or a protected district is most often subject to specific requirements.
Is a CECB compulsory before renovating?
The CECB, the cantonal energy certificate for buildings, is first of all used to identify the weak points of the building envelope and to rank the works by priority. Depending on the canton, it may also be required to obtain a grant. Ask your cantonal energy department.
Can I get a subsidy to insulate my home?
The Buildings Programme provides support for certain insulation works, but the conditions vary from one canton to another. The application is generally filed before the works begin: check the procedure with your cantonal energy department. No amount can be given here, as it depends on the programme in force.
Internal or external insulation?
External insulation deals better with thermal bridges and preserves living space, but it changes the facade. Internal insulation is considered when the facade cannot be altered, for example in an old or protected building. The choice depends on the construction, local rules and the professional's opinion after a visit.
Can a tenant ask for insulation works?
A tenant is not free to alter the building envelope: the agreement of the landlord or the managing agent is required. You can nevertheless describe the need in your request and state that the owner must be consulted. Requesting a quote does not commit you to anything.
What warranty applies after insulation works?
For work on immovable property, the Code of Obligations (CO) allows five years to report certain defects (art. 371 CO), and two years for movable items. If the contract refers to the SIA 118 standard, its provisions apply in addition. Keep the quote, the contract and the invoices.