How much does a full renovation cost?

Why invest in a full renovation?

A full renovation offers plenty of benefits:

• Added value: a well-considered full renovation can significantly increase the value of your home.
• Energy efficiency: by investing in insulation and new windows, you lower your energy bill.
• Comfort: you tailor your home entirely to your personal wishes and to modern standards.
• Peace of mind: choosing a single contractor such as Borgwal Renovaties to coordinate everything means a fully managed project without stress.

What exactly is a full renovation?

A full renovation means thoroughly tackling several parts of the home, from the roof to the cellar.

This can range from replacing water pipes, electricity and windows to insulating walls, floors and roofs and completely renewing bathrooms and kitchens.

The goal is to fully refresh the home while making it more energy-efficient and sustainable.

What is the average price of a full renovation?

The price varies widely and depends on the scope of the work and the materials used.

A good guideline is 1,000 to 1,500 euros per square metre. That price per square metre includes labour, materials and VAT.

A useful tip: thorough preparation, with a detailed feasibility study and a clear specification, is essential to avoid surprises during the project.

Price differences by type of home

Older homes

Older homes often need more extensive work, such as renewing electricity and water pipes or reinforcing the structure.

Sometimes a new floor slab is required, or the home must be stripped entirely. The price therefore varies greatly from one home to another.

Newer homes

Here costs can be lower because less extensive structural work is usually needed.

There are of course exceptions, for example when you want larger spaces and steel beams are needed to open up load-bearing walls.

Costs per renovation element

The indicative prices below give you a first reference:

• Kitchen renovation: 900 to 2,000 euros per m²
• Bathroom renovation: 3,000 to 11,000 euros
• Attic conversion: from 12,000 euros including a dormer
• Roof renovation: 16,000 euros for 75 m² including tiles and a roof window
• Facade renovation: 45 euros per m² for repointing
• New electrical installation: 4,000 to 8,500 euros
• Renewing water pipes: 4,000 to 6,000 euros
• Installing heating: from 10,000 euros
• Insulation: 13 to 140 euros per m²
• Replacing windows: from 500 euros per m²

Factors that strongly influence the cost

Contractors

When you choose a single party to handle the entire renovation, such as Borgwal Renovaties, you benefit from an all-in price.

That means a fixed, watertight price for the whole project with no unexpected financial surprises afterwards. The total price is also nearly always more favourable than hiring several contractors yourself.

A full-renovation company can offer sharp prices through efficient coordination, economies of scale, volume discounts and fixed partners.

Steel beams and structural work

To create open spaces, such as connecting the kitchen and living room, structural work is often needed. Steel beams are installed to reinforce the load-bearing structure.

Note: installing steel beams is a costly intervention that requires a stability study to guarantee safety. This work can raise the total cost considerably.

Large glazed surfaces

Large windows or glass walls add light and space, but they also drive up the cost.

Besides construction costs, the insulation value of the glass matters. High-performance glazing is essential to prevent energy loss, but it is a pricier option that often requires specific frames.

Which other factors come into play?

The scope of the renovation

A full renovation naturally costs more than renovating a few rooms. Decide in advance which parts you will tackle and whether you opt for a phased or a complete approach.

Tip: approach this objectively and avoid impulsive decisions.

The quality of the materials

The choice between simple and luxury materials has a major impact on the total cost. A basic renovation is cheaper than one with exclusive finishes, such as natural stone or designer sanitary ware.

One contractor or coordinate yourself?

A single contractor who coordinates everything is often a sensible choice. Costs may be slightly higher, but it removes much of the coordination stress and reduces the risk of mistakes.

If you coordinate yourself, you save on those fees. The downside is that you have to manage all the tradespeople and align them yourself, which brings more stress and worry.

The complexity of the work

The more extensive the work, such as relocating pipes or renewing a load-bearing wall, the higher the price.

The rates of the specialists

The hourly rates of plasterers, electricians, joiners, plumbers and painters vary widely. Request several quotes and choose the best value for money.

Tip: cheap can turn out expensive. Average hourly rates range from 25 to 75 euros per hour, depending on the specialisation and the region.

Tips to save on a full renovation

Want to bring down the cost of your full renovation? There are a few ways to save:

• Carry out preparatory work yourself, such as clearing rooms or covering floors.
• Choose local tradespeople to avoid call-out charges.
• Compare quotes from different contractors and specialists to find the best deal.

Grants and subsidies

A full renovation is often supported by grants and subsidies:

• Renovation grants: available at federal, Flemish, provincial and municipal level. On Premiezoeker.be, the Flemish government's site, you can discover which grants you qualify for.
• Reduced VAT rate: for homes older than 10 years a reduced VAT rate of 6 percent applies instead of 21 percent.

How do you finance the work?

It is important to know how you will finance the costs. A few options:

• Mortgage loan: the most common option. If your loan is already partly repaid, you can also opt for a re-advance.
• Renovation loan: specifically intended for renovation projects, often at slightly more favourable rates.

Frequently asked questions about the cost

What is the ratio between labour and material costs?

In most renovations, roughly 60 percent of the invoice is labour and 40 percent is materials. This is a rule of thumb; in practice it can turn out differently. A full renovation is always bespoke, and fixed price agreements provide financial certainty.

How long does a full renovation take on average?

A full renovation can range from four months to a year or longer, depending on the scope of the work and the length of the preparatory phase.

Are demolition works included in the price?

In many cases demolition is included in the quote, but always check with your contractor. Also ask whether the cost of removing the waste is included in the price.

Conclusion: what does a full renovation really cost?

The costs depend on many factors: the scope of the work, the materials used and whether or not you bring in a single contractor to take everything off your hands.

While a full renovation is a substantial investment, it pays for itself over the long term through energy savings and the added value of your home.

Why choose Borgwal Renovaties?

At Borgwal Renovaties we stand for quality without worry. With more than 20 years of experience in full renovations, we offer a complete solution tailored to your wishes and budget:

• Top quality: we work only with selected, reliable partners and high-quality materials.
• Bespoke: your project, your wishes, we make your dream renovation a reality.
• Cost-efficient: through efficient collaboration and planning we offer sharp prices without compromising on quality.
• Transparency: you follow your renovation step by step through regular updates.
• On schedule: we keep our agreements so your renovation runs smoothly.

Would you like to renovate your home worry-free? Get in touch with us without obligation for an advisory chat or a tailored quote.