Roof renovation in Switzerland: costs, procedure, and which solution pays off

The price range is wide because roofs vary greatly: the shape of the roof, its surface area, the condition of the roof structure, the choice of roofing material, and the insulation strategy all determine how high the budget will be.

The following guidelines will help you plan realistically.

Steep roof (gable, hipped, or pent roof) Steep roofs are the most common type of roof in Switzerland. For a new roof (including removal of the old roof, preparation of the substrate, and installation of the new roof), you can usually expect to pay between CHF 120 and CHF 180 per square meter. - Typical total cost for a single-family home: approx. CHF 22,000–32,000 - Typical total cost for a single-family home: approx. CHF 22,000–32,000 - What drives the price? Choice of materials (clay, concrete, fiber cement, slate), roof details (vales, dormers, connections) and the condition of the sub-roof. If the roof truss also needs to be renovated or partially replaced, the costs increase significantly. - Roof truss replacement/comprehensive repair: often CHF 35,000 to over CHF 65,000 ( depending on the damage, wood quality, statics, and scope) Flatroof With flat roofs, the focus is on waterproofing. After 20–30 years, renovation is often necessary – or even sooner, depending on the structure and load. The costs are usually between CHF 120 and CHF 380 per m². - Typical total costs for a single-family home: approx. $15,000–$30,000 - Greening as an addition: often +$30–$40 per m² ( substrate/load additional) It becomes more expensive if not only the waterproofing needs to be replaced, but also the insulation needs to be reinforced and the structure adapted.

Roof insulation: optional – but almost always the most important lever A purely "cosmetic" renovation without insulation improvements may seem cheaper in the short term, but it is rarely the best solution. Especially when it comes to roofs, insulation usually has the greatest energy-saving effect on the building envelope. Above-rafter insulation (CHF 160–270 per m²) The insulation is installed on the outside above the rafters. This is considered the cleanest solution from a technical standpoint because it reduces thermal bridges and does not take up any living space. Typical total cost: approx . 25,000–40,000 CHF Between-rafter insulation (110–160 CHF per m²) Insulation material is placed between the rafters. Attractive in terms of price and widely used – often supplemented from the inside to reduce thermal bridges. - Typical total cost: approx. CHF 15,000–30,000 Under-rafter insulation (CHF 70–120 per m²) Additional insulation layer inside under the rafters. Often makes sense from an energy perspective, but costs some room height. - Typical total cost: approx. CHF 9,000–15,000 Insulate the attic/loft (approx. $6,000–$9,000) The cheapest option if the attic is not used as living space. Insulation is installed on the floor of the loft (boards or blow-in insulation). Flat roof insulation (approx. $5,000–$15,000) Often renewed together with waterproofing. Costs vary greatly depending on the structure, insulation thickness, and load-bearing capacity. Additional costs that often apply e roof inspection (annual check): $400–500 Roofing contractor hourly rate: $85–120 - Disposal of old material: varies depending on quantity/material - Scaffolding: often included in the package, may be charged separately in cases of difficult access Practical value: completerenovation For a complete roof renovation including insulation and new roofing, many single-family homes realistically cost between CHF 45,000 and CHF 80,000, depending on: - Roof shape and area - Material and level of detail - Condition of rafters/sub-roof - Selected insulation structure - Additional work (plumbing, connections, snow guards, scaffolding, skylights, etc.) Subsidies can significantly reduce the cost of energy-related parts of the renovation—and heating costs will decrease significantly in the long term.

Two roofs with similar surface areas can vary greatly in price. Typical reasons: Condition of the roof structure If wooden components are damp, damaged, or structurally compromised, a simple "roofing" project can quickly turn into a repair project. Reinforcements, partial replacements, or structural assessments cost time and materials—and add up. Roof covering material Concrete, clay, fiber cement, slate, or metal differ in price, weight, installation effort, and service life. Special shapes, coatings, and special tiles also drive up costs. Insulation concept and insulation thickness Above-rafter insulation is technically superior, but more complex. Interior solutions are cheaper, but require careful planning (thermal bridges, moisture protection). Greater insulation thickness means more material, adjustments to connections, and often more detailed work. Access, scaffolding, and logistics Sloping sites, narrow access roads, buildings with lots of nooks and crannies, or lots of roof details increase the cost of scaffolding and installation. Scaffolding in particular is often underestimated—and can cost several thousand dollars, depending on the situation. Regional laborcosts Hourly rates are often higher in metropolitan areas than in rural regions. In addition, capacity utilization (season, local demand) has an impact on quoted prices. Additional requests and ancillarywork Skylights, dormer connections, snow guards, chimney cladding, plumbing work, new roof drainage, complete replacement of the sub-roof, or preparation for PV: such items can significantly alter the budget.

Renovating pitched roofs A pitched roof consists of a supporting structure (roof truss), sub-roof, insulation, and roofing. Depending on the condition, renovation may include: - New tiles/slates - Renewing or supplementing the sub-roof - Insulation (between/under/above the rafters) - Repairing wooden components - Plumbing work (gutters, connections, chimney, sheet metal) Especially in older houses, combining this with improved insulation is almost always worthwhile. Renovating a flat roof In the case of a flat roof, the waterproofing is the critical layer. Frequent steps: - Removing old waterproofing - Check/replace vapor barrier - Adjust insulation (e.g., XPS, PUR, mineral wool) - Apply new waterproofing - Optional wearlayer/greening Flat roofs are technically sensitive: small mistakes can quickly lead to major moisture damage.