A full renovation in Switzerland typically costs CHF 1'200-3'500 per square metre — depending on building elements, choice of materials and energy efficiency class. A new bathroom costs CHF 25'000-60'000, a kitchen CHF 30'000-80'000, a new roof CHF 40'000-120'000. Anyone buying a property and planning to renovate should budget 15-25 % of the purchase price for renovations. This guide shows current cost benchmarks, saving strategies and which renovations are worthwhile from a tax perspective.
An average Swiss bathroom refit costs CHF 25'000-45'000. This includes new tiles (CHF 2'500-5'000), sanitary appliances (toilet, washbasin, shower/bath — CHF 4'000-12'000), new pipework and waterproofing (CHF 6'000-10'000), ventilation (CHF 1'500-3'000) and labour. Higher-end options (walk-in shower, marble tiles, designer fittings) reach CHF 50'000-80'000. A large family bathtub with whirlpool costs an additional CHF 4'000-8'000.
Swiss kitchens are expensive: simple standard kitchens (IKEA, local providers) start at CHF 15'000-25'000. A mid-range kitchen with Swiss branded products (Sigg, Forster, V-ZUG) costs CHF 35'000-55'000. Designer kitchens (Bulthaup, Poggenpohl) are CHF 80'000-150'000 and more. Appliances account for 25-35 % of the budget — a double oven, induction hob and steam cooker alone cost CHF 8'000-15'000.
A pitched roof refit (tiles, underroof, insulation) typically costs CHF 250-450 per m² of roof area — in other words CHF 40'000-90'000 for an average single-family house (180 m² roof area). An additional photovoltaic installation adds CHF 25'000-45'000 (with 50-70 % self-consumption, this pays for itself in 8-12 years). Flat roof refits are cheaper per m² (CHF 200-350) but less durable (15-25 years vs. 30-50).
A complete energy-efficiency renovation (facade insulation, windows, heating) costs CHF 50'000-150'000 for an average single-family house. Heat pump instead of oil heating: CHF 35'000-50'000 (with cantonal subsidies, 30-50 % reimbursed). Facade insulation: CHF 35'000-60'000 (external insulation 16-20 cm). Triple glazing: CHF 600-1'200 per window. Energy costs then fall by 40-60 % — payback in 10-15 years depending on the energy price.
Value-preserving renovations in Switzerland are fully deductible from taxable income — repairs, replacements, energy-efficient renovation. Value-adding renovations (extensions, conversions, modernisation beyond the standard) are not deductible, but increase the tax value. For energy-efficient renovations, some cantons (e.g. ZH, BE) allow the deduction to be spread over 2-3 years — this saves progression tax.
Three levers: obtain 3-5 quotes (differences of 15-25 % between providers are common). Plan in phases (bathroom first, kitchen in year 2) instead of doing a full renovation all at once — lower liquidity burden and you get to know the house. Make use of cantonal subsidy programmes — the federal energy-saving programme and all 26 cantons offer grants for energy-related measures, often 20-40 % of the cost.