Have you no idea how much renovation work will cost even though you’ve just purchased an old house or apartment? Or do you simply want to give your current home a new lease of life? Masonry, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, etc. are all areas that should be carefully considered before starting this project.
Indeed, the cost of renovation work varies depending on the type of work and the budget required, whether it’s a complete renovation or not. To find out this cost, you can request quotes from tradespeople. Be aware that energy renovations are eligible for financial assistance. To help you establish this budget, here are some essential points to know.
Cost of renovation work: why invest?
For investors, there are many reasons why they might want to undertake a home renovation project. Sometimes, they want to update their home or increase its daily comfort and level of luxury. Thermal renovations are also widely recommended for all homes over 15 years old. Energy renovations allow you to lower your bills while enjoying optimal comfort.
Furthermore, it should be noted that there is a huge difference between refreshing a house or apartment and major renovation work. The former will only cost the cost of the materials, while the latter requires the intervention of professionals. When it comes to renovation, prioritization is essential.
The first step is to secure a home by bringing the electrical and plumbing up to standard and checking the condition of the framework. Next, you must tackle energy renovation, which is the key to comfort and electricity savings. Next comes the redesign of the rooms and their finishing and aesthetics.
Renovating your home isn’t just about style! This type of renovation offers many benefits, including:
- Reduce your energy bills: thermal insulation helps reduce your energy consumption;
- Enhance your property: renovation brings a radical transformation and a new lease of life to your property;
- Increase your comfort: the property becomes more accessible and easier to live in;
- Change the accommodation according to your tastes and styles.
Renovation is also the ideal opportunity to add value to your home when reselling.
Cost of renovation work: Rules that influence the renovation project
Be aware that when undertaking any changes to your home, you must take into account certain regulations. If, for example, you want to redo your facade, then you cannot choose the color or materials of your choice. Contact your town hall to find out more. To install new doors and windows, you must be aware of the rules regarding privacy with your neighbor. For example, leave at least 1.90 m of sight distance from the dividing fence. In addition, in the context of extension or construction work with a surface area of more than 20 m 2 , applying for a building permit from your town hall remains mandatory. Otherwise, only a prior declaration of work is required.
In addition, to successfully complete your project, you would need some files, such as:
- Mandatory diagnostic documents,
- Architectural plans (depending on the nature of the work);
- From the footage of the parts;
- Measurements of your household appliances;
- A detailed list of work to be done (room by room);
- A schedule that includes your desired move-in date.
Then, all you have to do is call a professional who will carry out your work.
Cost of renovation work: The various categories
Renovation prices are also based on their categories. Sometimes, a few minor renovations are enough to beautify your home, while others require a complete renovation.
Light renovation
Light renovation, as its name suggests, involves only a simple refresh. The craftsmen will therefore not have to touch the structure or openings. However, this improvement will allow you to enjoy a more contemporary atmosphere. This project can be carried out without the help of a professional. The work involved is:
- Change of floor coverings,
- Renovation of wall and ceiling coverings,
- Decoration and replacement of furniture and sanitary appliances (bathroom, tiling).
Hanging wallpaper and repainting a wall are also part of this type of work.
Partial renovation
As for the partial renovation, also called standard renovation, the work to be done is more substantial. The bathroom (kitchen and bathroom) can be completely redone. It is also possible to carry out an electrical renovation (replacing an electrical panel or an electrical outlet, grounding, installing a smoke detector, adding a spotlight). The project requires the intervention of a professional. Here are the works involved:
- Partial renovation of electricity and/or plumbing,
- Changing the windows,
- Insulation of walls and roof,
- Renovation of the kitchen and/or bathroom.
This work does not require touching the structures or modifying the volumes of the rooms.
Heavy renovation
A renovation is considered major or complete when the work affects the building’s structure. It therefore modifies the structure of the home, its exterior appearance, and its energy performance. It includes almost all structural work and often requires a prior declaration of work or a building permit. These works include:
- Removal and/or modification of load-bearing walls,
- Complete renovation of plumbing and electricity,
- Adding or removing partitions,
- Modification of the framework and renovation of the roof,
- Renovation of the facade and replacement of tiles and openings,
- Interior or exterior insulation work,
- Change of heating system.
This is a highly technical project that should definitely be entrusted to a specialized company. The company handles the entire project thanks to the various teams it coordinates. Throughout the work, the owner benefits from detailed monitoring of each intervention carried out.
Cost of renovation work: Prices per m2 for a house renovation
The cost of a home renovation per square meter ranges from €250 to over €1,100, depending on the level of renovation required. In France, the average price is estimated at just over €700. Indeed, it’s essential to know this average budget before starting work so you can prepare. These costs take into account every step, from structural work to finishing touches.
As a general rule, the more the work affects the structure of the home, the higher the prices. However, if the work involves only a simple refresh (wall painting, wallpapering, floor covering), the bill will be less expensive. According to the classifications, the price range for each renovation category is:
- Light renovation or finishing work (floor and wall covering, carpet replacement, decoration, finishing): between 250 euros and 700 euros per square meter;
- Partial or intermediate renovation (window replacement, roof insulation, heating replacement): between 700 and 1,100 euros per square meter;
- Major or complete renovation (transformation of a room, renovation of floor coverings, installation of partitions, development of a terrace or balcony): between 1,100 and 2,000 euros per square meter.
Every renovation is different. Some are very traditional, while others are more complex. For a 100 m² house , for example, prepare a budget between 500 euros and 100,000 euros.
This price can increase further if your project requires the intervention of an architect (renovation with extension of more than 40 m 2 , modification of facade, complete rehabilitation of a building). However, the price of labor of an architect will depend on the scope of his mission. If he is required to carry out a complete renovation (plans, technical choices, filing of the permit or declaration of works, choice of craftsmen and materials, management and monitoring of the site), then his rate will be between 12% and 14% of the total cost of the work.
Cost of renovation work: The different criteria that cause quotes to vary
Renovation prices are also based on many variables. Several criteria can influence the professional’s price estimate. They can therefore lower or inflate the quote. Here they are.
The surface to be renovated
The first determining factor that will influence the final cost of the work is undoubtedly the surface area to be renovated. Contrary to what you might think, renovating a small house or apartment will cost you more per square meter than when you are going to redo a large area. In other words, the larger the surface area to be renovated, the lower the renovation price per square meter will be. In fact, this is an economy of scale. The unit cost of the product or service decreases when the quantities of materials ordered are large.
The geographical area
The location of the property is sometimes an overlooked criterion, but it matters greatly to the company. Therefore, depending on access and the location of the site, the quote price can vary. It may be cheaper to carry out work in the countryside than in the city. For work in the city center, you must estimate additional costs, as the contractors will factor in parking fees, for example.
The materials chosen
When renovating, the choice of materials is extremely vast. This can vary depending on your taste and your home (apartment or house). At the same time, you’ll need to consider even the smallest finishing details to get the right budget. If you’re looking for “luxury” finishes, then the price of materials can inflate your quote, and vice versa.
The type of construction site
The level of difficulty of the work should also be estimated. If it’s a complete home renovation, expect higher rates. If it’s a basic project, then the cost may be lower. In this case, define the nature of your project in advance. However, be aware that the estimate depends on the room to be renovated. The bathroom and kitchen are often quite expensive rooms, as the tradespeople will be working on the plumbing and electrical work.
Using a specialized craftsman
A renovation can’t be improvised. Depending on the nature of your project (roof and wall repairs, tiling, or installing a new heating system), you may need the help of a specialized company. By hiring this professional, the cost of the work can vary considerably, as labor will be involved. Moreover, to get the best value for money, it’s recommended to compare several construction companies. Keep in mind that each quote can be negotiated, depending on your budget.
Aid available for energy renovation
Energy renovation work, whether for a house or an apartment, allows you to benefit from government aid and favorable tax incentives. This aid allows you to reduce the total cost of the renovation per square meter.
The energy bonus
Launched as part of the CEE (Energy Savings Certificates), the energy bonus is a grant for energy renovation work. It subsidizes your insulation and heating system installation work. The amount depends on the type of work you will be carrying out, your geographic area, and your income. Note that this grant applies to primary and secondary residences built more than two years ago.
MaPrimeRénov’
MaPrimeRénov is one of the financial aid programs for energy renovations. Since 2020, it has been available to all households, regardless of their means. Furthermore, only homes built at least two years ago are eligible. In addition, the program can be used to finance insulation, heating, ventilation, or energy audit work on a house or apartment.
The zero-interest eco-loan
The zero-interest eco-loan (eco-PTZ) is a bank loan with a 0% interest rate. You can borrow from €7,000 to €50,000 to complete your renovation. You can obtain it if you are a landlord or owner-occupier of the property. The eco-PTZ is awarded without any means test. Furthermore, your work must be carried out by an RGE (Recognized Environmental Guarantor) company.
Reduced rate VAT
VAT (Value Added Tax) at the reduced rate of 5.5% or the intermediate rate of 10% is reserved for improvement, transformation, and development work on residential housing. This rate also applies to work related to energy renovation. The premises concerned are single-family homes, accommodation in a multi-family building, mobile homes, etc. On the customer side, the landlord, the owner-occupier, the tenant, and the condominium association can take advantage of this offer.
Local aid
Sometimes, your region, department, or city can help you finance your renovation work through local aid. The amounts, grants, types of work, and procedures vary depending on your location. This aid is intended for owners of a house or apartment who have already undergone an energy and thermal audit. Learn about the various terms and conditions on your region’s website.
