Renovation cost calculator: what does your project cost before funding applies?
Heating, windows, insulation, ventilation, photovoltaics: enter the amounts from your quotes — the calculator gives you the total to plan your funding application and your financing with. Funding is tied to the individual measure and usually has to be applied for before the work is commissioned.
How does a renovation cost calculator add up the costs per measure?
The renovation cost calculator collects your own cost estimates per measure, such as heating or heat pump, windows, insulation, ventilation, photovoltaics and other work, and turns them into the total budget. It deliberately does not suggest cost figures, because they depend heavily on the property; what counts are your tradespeople's quotes.
A plain sum of your own entries — not a cost estimate and not a funding commitment. The amount and conditions of KfW/BEG funding depend on the measure, the property and the current programme rules and must be checked before commissioning the work (often with an energy efficiency expert).
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Calculate renovation costs: your quotes per measure
Enter your own cost estimates per measure, for example from tradespeople's quotes — the calculator adds them up.
Which written quotes do funding bodies and banks need per measure?
You need one written quote or cost estimate per measure, because funding bodies and banks work with documented amounts, not with estimates from the internet.
Which quotes does the cost breakdown need? One written quote or cost estimate per measure. There are two reasons: funding bodies and banks work with documented amounts, not with estimates from the internet — and for smaller sums, most partner banks accept a cost estimate in advance for a renovation loan. If you are planning several measures, list them separately, because funding is tied to the individual measure and its technical requirements.
Funding before the contract: why does the order matter?
For energy-efficiency measures there is funding through KfW and the Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings (BEG) — as a low-interest loan with a repayment grant or as a direct grant.
As a rule, the funding has to be applied for before the work is commissioned; often an energy efficiency expert has to be involved. Anyone who commissions the tradesperson first loses the entitlement. Which programmes come into question is shown by the KfW funding check; the renovation programme is described under KfW 261 renovation.
Financing the rest: renovation loan or property financing?
For smaller amounts without a land register entry, a renovation loan fits — without subsequent proof of use; a cost estimate is usually enough.
For larger projects, the amount is built into the property financing, where appropriate with a KfW component; the instalment with repayment-free start years and repayment grant is shown by the KfW repayment calculator. How renovation, funding and financing fit together is explained in detail on our German page on energy-efficient renovation.
Frequently asked questions
What are the costs, and are there funding options available?
The calculator adds up your own cost estimates per measure and suggests no figures, because costs depend heavily on the property; quotes from your tradespeople count. Funding exists through KfW and the BEG as a low-interest loan with repayment grant or as a direct grant. As a rule it has to be applied for before the work is commissioned.
Why does the calculator not suggest costs per measure?
Because they depend heavily on the property — size, year of construction, condition and region shift prices considerably. A flat rate would suggest an accuracy that does not exist. What counts are your own tradespeople's quotes.
Does the calculator show the funding amount?
No — it adds up your cost estimates. Funding amounts depend on the measure, the programme and the current rules and are checked individually, usually before the work is commissioned.
How do I finance the total?
Smaller amounts without a land charge through a renovation loan, larger projects as part of the property financing, where appropriate with a KfW component. Which route fits depends on the amount, the property and your situation.
Do I have to apply for funding before starting?
As a rule, yes. KfW and BEG funding usually require you to apply before commissioning the work; often an energy efficiency expert has to be involved.
Any questions on this topic?
A first consultation is free and without obligation — the commission is, as a rule, paid by the bank. We tell you what this means for your own financing.
Related pages
Editorially responsible: Olga Nikushkina — owner, §34i GewO (German mortgage brokerage), adviser register D-W-132-ZUCB-95. Specialised in German property financing with an international dimension: non-residents, foreign-currency income, cross-border workers, expats. Siegfried Perini is entered in the German intermediary register under this licence as a person directly involved in brokerage and advice (§ 11a GewO), active in real estate since 1992. Not legal or tax advice.