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Old-building renovation Vienna that renews everything except the character.

Old-building renovation Vienna: from the construction company that does the work — not from an agent.

Old-building renovation Vienna: renovating a period building in Vienna costs 900 to 1,800 euros per square metre for an apartment and 1,000 to 2,500 euros per square metre of usable floor area for an entire building. Timber beam ceilings, box-type windows, stucco and pipes without as-built drawings determine the effort – not the fittings.

Renovating a period apartment in Vienna costs €900 to €1,800 per square metre. For an entire Gründerzeit building you can expect €1,500 to €3,000 per square metre of usable floor area as part of a subsidised base renovation (Sockelsanierung). A 90 m² period apartment therefore comes to €81,000 to €162,000 net. The effort is determined by timber beam ceilings with limited load-bearing capacity, box-type windows, stucco worth preserving, pipes without as-built drawings and hazardous substances from several building eras. Construction time 8 to 20 weeks per apartment, 6 to 18 months for a building.
◆We are the company that carries out the construction ◆Fixed price according to ÖNORM◆Our own construction team◆€3 million liability insurance◆Based in Vienna 1210
Old-building renovation Vienna: the key facts at a glance
Old-building renovation Vienna: the key facts at a glance.


Old-building renovation Vienna from a single source

Renovating a Viennese period building brings many trades together — and that is exactly where the challenge lies. We are the construction company carrying out the work and coordinate the entire process, from stripping out to handover ready for occupation.

  • One contracting party — you commission one company; we bring all trades together and are responsible for the process.
  • Regulated work via partners — structural engineering and master-builder services (§ 94 no. 5 GewO), electrics (§ 94 no. 16), gas/plumbing (§ 94 no. 25) and tiling (§ 94 no. 38) are handled by licensed partner companies.
  • Done ourselves — stripping out, drywall, screed, waterproofing and painting are done by our own people.
  • Fixed price under ÖNORM B 2110 — in writing after the site visit, traceable item by item.
  • Experience with Gründerzeit buildings — timber beam ceilings, old electrics, conservation zones: we know the typical Viennese period-building issues.

Market guide values in Vienna — old-building renovation 2026

These values are the range within which the market moves. They come from publicly available cost breakdowns on specialist portals and guides. We quote them here so that you can put our quote in context — not to compare ourselves with them.

Lower market range Austria

€800 – 1,200/m²

Viennese apartment block / Gründerzeit

€950 – 1,500/m²

With gutting renovation and components before 1945

€1,000 – 2,000/m²

Period apartment in Vienna — complete project

100.000 – 200.000 €

Our own experience is above this. For renovating an entire Gründerzeit building while occupied, we calculate €1,500 to €2,000/m² of usable floor area without an attic conversion, and €2,000 to €3,000/m² for a general renovation of an empty building. The market ranges above come from guides and often reflect individual apartments or partial renovations, not a complete building with facade, roof, risers and common areas.

Important for context: Ranges are not prices. Where you end up within the range depends on the condition of the building fabric — riser pipes, electrics, floor build-up, structure. You only see that after opening up. That is why we give you the price as a fixed price after the site visit and not beforehand as a range in a brochure.

What does old-building renovation in Vienna cost?

The price depends heavily on the scope — from individual trades to a gutting renovation. As a guide:

Guide prices old-building renovation Vienna (net)
Apartment renovation€800–1,500/m²
Gutting renovation€1,200–2,000/m²
Renewing the electrics€100–150/m²
Complete bathroomfrom €12,000

As of 2026 · net, excl. 20% VAT · guide values — in a period building much lies behind the plaster. Final price after site visit, in writing as a fixed price under ÖNORM B 2110.

Specifics

Viennese period buildings have particular features that shape every renovation. This is what we pay attention to:

  • Timber beam ceilings — The typical Viennese period ceiling flexes, transmits sound and cannot carry any weight you like — this determines the floor and ceiling build-up.
  • Old electrics — Classic TN-C earthing (Nullung), too few circuits, no RCD protection — in period buildings the electrics almost always have to be completely renewed, via the licensed partner.
  • Scaled-up pipes — Water and waste pipes are often at the end of their service life and are replaced as part of the renovation.
  • Conservation zone & box-type windows — In conservation zones, the facade and historic box-type windows often have to be preserved — MA 19 has a say here.
  • Moisture in the base — Rising damp on the ground floor is a common period-building issue and must be clarified before the interior fit-out.
  • Occupied apartment block — Renovation while the building is in use requires process planning, dust protection and communication with residents.

Old-building renovation Vienna for homeowners, property managers & owners’ associations

Apartment owners

From a single apartment to a gutting renovation. We coordinate all trades and provide a fixed price under ÖNORM B 2110 — one contact person instead of many separate firms.

Property managers & owners’ associations

For renovations of common areas — facade, roof, risers — we provide the documentation for the owners’ resolution and coordinate the licensed partners.

Developers & investors

Anyone buying a period building to renovate wants to know beforehand what is structurally possible. We provide reliable fixed prices with a survey of the existing structure; the structural assessment is made by the master-builder partner.

from plan to handover

01 Site visit

We look at the existing building and check the fabric, moisture and existing technology. Free of charge.

02 Quote

All trades as a bill of quantities with a fixed price under ÖNORM B 2110.

03 Planning & coordination

Schedule, coordination of trades, necessary submissions via the master-builder partner.

04 Execution

Our people and the licensed partners work to a coordinated plan.

05 Handover

Acceptance, test reports of the regulated trades, documentation.

Complete or partial renovation?

The first question in any old-building renovation in Vienna is always: complete renovation or partial renovation? Both have their place — the choice depends on the condition of the fabric, the budget and the goal. A partial renovation focuses on individual rooms or trades, such as a new apartment in a period building, a new bathroom or new heating. It costs between 400 and 700 euros per square metre and makes sense when the main structure is still sound and individual defects are to be remedied in a targeted way.

A medium renovation additionally includes the bathroom and kitchen, electrics and window replacement — it costs 700 to 1,000 euros per square metre. A complete renovation or comprehensive base renovation renews the entire building including building services, thermal renovation, roof and facade — the costs are 1,000 to 2,500 euros per square metre. For a classic Viennese apartment block with 1,000 m² of usable floor area, a complete renovation therefore costs between one and two and a half million euros net.

Skyline Bau advises openly on which depth of renovation makes sense for your property. With a period building, a base renovation is often worthwhile because it bundles all measures — scaffolding, site setup and dealings with the authorities are needed anyway. The synergies are considerable, and combining it with subsidies becomes easier.

Subsidies from wohnfonds_wien and the Sanierungsscheck

Anyone renovating a period building in Vienna should consider subsidies from the very beginning — the public sector covers a considerable part of the costs. Two schemes are central. The most important is the Sockelsanierung (base renovation) of wohnfonds_wien: it supports comprehensive renovations of period buildings and apartment blocks with renovation loans and non-repayable grants. Anyone comprehensively renovating a Viennese Gründerzeit building cannot ignore this subsidy — it is the central pillar of old-building renovation in Vienna.

The second scheme is federal funding: the federal Sanierungsscheck supports thermal building renovation and the replacement of fossil heating systems — for example switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump, connecting to district heating or insulating the facade. Both schemes can be combined — wohnfonds_wien for renewing the fabric, the Sanierungsscheck for thermal renovation and building services. In total, savings of up to 40 per cent compared with an unsubsidised project are realistic.

Skyline Bau plans the old-building renovation with this combination in mind from the start — the measures are coordinated so that they actually meet the subsidy criteria. This is part of our planning service as the construction company carrying out the work and costs nothing extra.

Increase in value through attic conversion, lift and loggia

An old-building renovation preserves the fabric — and with the right extensions it becomes an increase in value. Three levers are particularly effective in Viennese period buildings: the attic conversion, the addition of a lift and the subsequent addition of loggias or balconies. Each individual measure noticeably increases the value; combined with the base renovation, a period building in need of renovation becomes a high-quality, modern residential building with a new market value.

The attic conversion is the strongest lever for increasing value: an unused attic becomes new apartments at new-build level, often with terraces and views. These top-floor apartments achieve top prices on the market. The addition of a lift is the second big lever — retrofitting a lift considerably upgrades the upper floors and makes the building barrier-free. The addition of loggias and balconies completes the trio: an apartment with outdoor space is worth significantly more than one without. Skyline Bau builds all three as a construction company that does the work itself, with a network of licensed master-builder partner firms.

the trades involved in an old-building renovation

A comprehensive old-building renovation is an interplay of many trades. Anyone who understands which works come together also understands why coordination under one general contractor is worth so much. For a Viennese Gründerzeit building, these typically include: structure and load-bearing system (timber ceiling repair, masonry strengthening), roof (covering, insulation, sheet-metal work), facade (stucco restoration, thermal renovation), windows (restoring box-type windows or replacing them in line with conservation-zone requirements), building services (electrics, heating, plumbing), interior fit-out (drywall, screed, tiles, painting).

Often added are riser replacement (renewing the vertical risers for water, waste water and gas), wall damp-proofing (against rising damp), mould remediation in damp corners and hazardous-substance remediation for asbestos or old lead paints. Skyline Bau coordinates all these trades under one fixed price under ÖNORM B 2110 — one contract, one contact person, one schedule and budget. The client does not have to work through a dozen separate contracts.

Why Skyline Bau for your old-building renovation in Vienna

  • Parliament building Vienna 1010 — renovation 2022 — On the 2nd basement level of the Austrian Parliament building (Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring 3), Skyline Bau carried out drywall, painting and filling work as well as floor upgrades. Regulated trades — electrical engineering (§ 94 no. 16 GewO) and tiling (§ 94 no. 38 GewO) — were carried out by licensed partner companies, coordinated by Skyline Bau. Client: W+R Schirmungstechnik GmbH. The reference letter dated 17.10.2022 certifies that the work was of high quality, on schedule and economical. View reference letter as PDF
  • Hands-on construction company — Skyline Bau is the brand of Bling Bling GmbH, a restricted construction trade business under § 99 GewO. Not a licensed master builder. Structural engineering, preparation of plans and MA 37 submissions are handled by licensed master-builder partner firms that we coordinate. You receive their proof of authorisation.
  • Realistic prices from 1,150 euros per square metre of interior painting — Skyline Bau calculates honestly from the start, in writing, after a site visit.
  • Flexible structural-engineering model — you bring your own structural engineer and we build to their plans — or Skyline Bau commissions an external partner engineer and passes on the costs transparently.
  • ÖNORM B 2110 in stages — never continuous excavation — always a construction schedule according to the standard. Weekly photo documentation, with levelling report.
  • Weekly photo documentation — weekly online photo status — for the client, property manager, owners’ meeting, insurer. Archived for 10 years.
  • Pre-construction survey of neighbouring buildings — photo and dimensional documentation of all adjacent buildings before work starts — protects against unjustified damage claims.
  • Lightning protection under OIB 6 — where external lightning protection exists, down conductors and test joints are reconnected — no gaps in protection.
  • Fixed price ÖNORM B 2110 — lump-sum price agreed in writing — remains the same even with a longer construction period or rising material prices. Penalty agreement for delays €80–150 per working day.
  • €3 million construction liability insurance — consequential damage to neighbouring buildings is covered.
  • Warranty under the ABGB — 3 years on construction work under § 933 ABGB. Bling Bling GmbH is liable for the overall work as the construction company carrying it out, including the work of the licensed partner companies.
  • Experience with Viennese period buildings — from the Gründerzeit apartment block with 30 units to the detached house. Reference list on request.

Special subsidies for owners of period buildings

  • Raus aus Gas Wien — up to €5,250 per apartment for switching heating systems, combinable with the federal boiler replacement scheme of up to €17,500. This often adds up to €20,000–22,000 in total subsidies per residential unit when switching to a heat pump or district heating.
  • THEWOSAN Wien — grants for thermal renovation (windows, facade) of up to 35% of costs, max. €12,000.
  • Barrier-free conversion Vienna — subsidy for apartment adaptations such as level-access showers, wider doors and threshold removal, up to €7,500.
  • wohnfonds_wien Sockelsanierung — up to 40% for comprehensive apartment-block measures.
  • Wohnservice Wien — central information and application office. wien.gv.at.

Special topics in Viennese period buildings that renovators need to know

  • Box-type windows — the Viennese Gründerzeit standard. Refurbishment (restoring the timber frames, new fittings) is usually cheaper than complete replacement and often mandatory in conservation zones. For complete replacement: faithful reproduction by joinery workshops (cost €1,500–3,500 per window).
  • Herringbone parquet / Kastenboden — historic floor coverings. Restoration by sanding, sealing, waxing or oiling. Oak herringbone is being laid new again today (€80–160/m²).
  • Stucco ceilings — the heritage of salon culture. Restoration by traditional plasterers, reproduction of missing elements using silicone moulds. Costs €80–250/m² depending on complexity.
  • Wall damp-proofing — Viennese Gründerzeit buildings often suffer from rising damp. Solutions: chemical injection, mechanical barrier, electro-osmosis. Costs €200–400 per linear metre of wall.
  • Classic TN-C earthing (Nullung) — old electrics with screw fuses and fabric-insulated cables. Complete replacement is mandatory in a riser replacement — new distribution boards with residual-current circuit breakers under ÖVE/ÖNORM E 8001.
  • Gas boiler replacement — Vienna strongly subsidises switching. Alternatives: heat pump (air-to-air, air-to-water, brine-to-water), district heating connection (very common and easy in Vienna), pellet heating.
  • Courtyard access galleries (Pawlatschen) — a typical feature of Viennese apartment blocks, needing renovation where timber, steel structures or glazing are involved.

Why Skyline Bau for your Viennese period building?

First — preserving charm, living in modern comfort. Skyline Bau coordinates with joiners, plasterers and flooring specialists — the original fabric remains, the building services become modern.

Second — routine in conservation zones. For projects requiring MA 19 involvement, we handle the process without you having to worry about it.

Third — all subsidy schemes combined. Raus aus Gas + THEWOSAN + barrier-free + Sockelsanierung — for a Viennese period apartment, public funding often covers 30–40% of the costs.

Fourth — subcontractor on the Parliament renovation 2022. A national reference at one of the most important historic buildings.

Legal note on the provision of services:
Skyline Bau acts as an executing building contractor. Regulated trades — in particular master-builder services (§ 94 no. 5 GewO), planning and structural engineering, electrical engineering (§ 94 no. 16 GewO), gas and sanitary engineering (§ 94 no. 25 GewO) and tiling (§ 94 no. 38 GewO) — are carried out exclusively by suitably authorised subcontractors and partner companies. Construction work is performed by trade businesses within the group of companies that hold a valid trade licence.

Viennese Gründerzeit building fabric and typical renovation challenges

  • Viennese Gründerzeit buildings 1848–1918: exposed brick walls, timber beam ceilings (wooden beams with an infill of gravel/clay), box-type windows, stucco facades, original parquet.
  • Interwar buildings 1918–1945: solid brick, some concrete ceilings, often already renovated.
  • Structural design of timber beam ceilings: wooden beam ceilings with infill. A structural check by an authorised, licensed master-builder partner is mandatory for new imposed loads.
  • Susceptibility to moisture on the ground floor: base moisture due to rising damp. Retrofitting a horizontal damp-proof course €145–285 per linear metre.
  • Thermal bridges at facade junctions: cold-corner remediation with internal insulation €65–125/m².
  • Box-type window renovation vs. window replacement: preserving original box-type windows is mandatory in conservation zones. Window renovation with additional seals €850–1,850 per window. Complete replacement possible outside conservation zones.
  • Preserving stucco: original stucco must be preserved in conservation zones and listed buildings. Restoration costs €45–180 per linear metre.
  • Preserving original parquet: existing herringbone parquet and plank floors. Sanding and new lacquer €35–95/m². Replacement laying for missing parts €145–280/m².
  • Ceiling heights of 3.00–3.80 m in Viennese period buildings: Reddit example 3.20 m. Advantage: living-space volume; disadvantage: heating costs if not insulated.

MA 19 conservation zones and Federal Monuments Office procedures

  • MA 19 consultation mandatory: for addresses in conservation zones (most of districts 1–9, parts of districts 10–19). MA 19 confirmation as a prerequisite for the building procedure.
  • Federal Monuments Office (BDA) procedure: for listed period buildings. BDA approval is mandatory before the construction phase. Preservation of original details is compulsory.
  • Preserving the original facade in a conservation zone: preserving stucco, preserving box-type windows, restoring original doors.
  • Preserving original interiors in listed buildings: original parquet, stucco ceilings, tiled stoves. Prior clarification with the BDA is mandatory.
  • Heritage grant from the BDA: up to 30% of the construction costs for listed buildings.
  • Window rules in conservation zones: preservation of original box-type windows or replica glazing approved by MA 19. No standard plastic windows.
  • Listed box-type window renovation: €1,850–4,500 per box-type window with original restoration.
  • MA 19 lead time: 6–12 weeks for consultation and confirmation before the construction phase.
  • BDA lead time: 3–6 months for the approval procedure.
  • Skyline Bau support with the authorities: our site manager systematically accompanies the MA 19 consultation and the BDA procedure. Initial advice in the first consultation is free of charge.

The sequence of a Viennese old-building renovation in 14 phases

  • Phase 1 — Viennese survey of the existing building with an expert partner: structural analysis, moisture measurement, analysis of existing electrics, photo documentation of the fabric, heritage check.
  • Phase 2 — MA 19 preliminary clarification and BDA enquiry: for conservation zones or listed buildings. 6–12 weeks lead time.
  • Phase 3 — New floor plan design preserving original details: balancing modern living comfort with heritage requirements.
  • Phase 4 — Preparing the planning application: for projects requiring a permit. Prepared by a civil engineer (Ziviltechniker). Costs €1,850–6,850.
  • Phase 5 — Skyline fixed-price quote under ÖNORM B 2110:2023.
  • Phase 6 — Owners’ resolution or owner’s order: for Viennese apartment blocks, a wohnfonds_wien subsidy application.
  • Phase 7 — Clearing the apartment: furniture out. Alternative accommodation for 12–24 weeks in a gutting renovation.
  • Phase 8 — Stripping out while preserving original details: careful recovery of original elements. Photo documentation before demolition.
  • Phase 9 — Moisture remediation and horizontal damp-proof course: drying the base, injection barrier.
  • Phase 10 — Structural adjustments: new non-load-bearing walls; structurally relevant changes with an authorised, licensed master-builder partner.
  • Phase 11 — Rough installation (electrics/plumbing/heating): underfloor heating possible, integration of a tiled stove as an Old Vienna element.
  • Phase 12 — Screed + drying phase of 4–8 weeks.
  • Phase 13 — Finishing with restoration of original details: stucco restoration, box-type window refurbishment, original parquet refurbishment.
  • Phase 14 — Final acceptance and BDA follow-up inspection: for listed buildings. Skyline Bau warranty 3 years under § 933 ABGB. For hidden defects, up to 30 years under § 1489 ABGB.

Renovating a Viennese period building with tenancies

  • MRG § 3 landlord’s maintenance obligation: the landlord of a Viennese apartment block must carry out maintenance renovations.
  • MRG § 8 (2) tenant’s duty to tolerate: for useful improvements.
  • MRG § 18 right to increase rent: landlord’s entitlement for useful improvements. Advice from MA 25 is possible.
  • MRG § 4 renovation obligation for listed buildings: maintenance obligation especially for conservation zones and BDA-listed properties.
  • ABGB § 1096 right to reduce rent: 40–70% during the gutting renovation phase (typically 12–20 weeks).
  • Landlord’s obligation to provide alternative accommodation: if the apartment is completely uninhabitable during construction.
  • Construction noise hours: Mon–Fri 7:00 to 19:00, Sat 8:00 to 15:00 under noise protection law.
  • Advance notice to neighbours: 4 weeks before the construction phase. Notice in the staircase.
  • Typical cost surcharge for occupied buildings: 20–40% additional costs.
  • Skyline Bau bulk renovation of apartment blocks: bulk order for owners’ associations with integration of wohnfonds_wien subsidies.

Subsidies 2026 for old-building renovation in Vienna

  • City of Vienna subsidy application for thermal and energy renovation: according to wien.gv.at, municipal subsidy for thermal renovation.
  • wohnfonds_wien renovation subsidy: for renovating Viennese apartment blocks subject to the MRG.
  • BDA heritage grant: up to 30% of the construction costs for listed buildings.
  • FSW barrier-free subsidy: up to €6,000 for adaptations suited to age or disability.
  • Boiler replacement bonus 2026: up to €4,500 when switching to a heat pump or district heating.
  • Thermal insulation subsidy: state subsidy possible for ETICS renovation, but often restricted in conservation zones (internal insulation as an alternative).
  • Window replacement subsidy 2026: for triple glazing with a U-value below 1.1; in conservation zones only with MA 19 approval.
  • Federal Sanierungsbonus programme: stopped as of 02.02.2026.
  • MA 25 housing subsidy: for first-time buyers with first-occupancy renovation.
  • Skyline Bau subsidy preparation: our site manager supports the preparation of the application. Initial advice in the first consultation is free of charge.
  • Hauskunft Wien: neutral advisory institution.
  • Klima- und Innovationsagentur Wien: advice for innovative renovation projects.

Financing, payment schedule and tax advantages

  • Our standard payment schedule for old-building renovation: 30% deposit on placing the order, 40% interim payment on completion of the rough installation, 30% final payment on final acceptance.
  • Alternative payment schedule for gutting renovations: 20/25/25/30% four-phase plan for orders over €200,000.
  • Renovation loan 2026: effective interest rate 4.5–6.8% depending on creditworthiness. Term 5–25 years.
  • KIM Regulation 2025: 40% equity share, max. 35-year loan term, 40% debt-to-income ratio.
  • ERP loan: interest-subsidised loan for climate-relevant renovations.
  • Tax advantage for landlords renovating an apartment block: deduction as income-related expenses under § 16 EStG.
  • Tax advantage for owner-occupiers: special expenses for energy-efficient renovations under § 18 EStG.
  • Tax advantage for listed buildings: depreciation under § 8 (2) EStG.
  • 20% input VAT deduction for business clients.
Check us out

Three things you should ask for from every contractor.

What you receive from us before signing the contract

A lot is claimed in construction and little is proven. These three proofs are the difference between a promise and a commitment — and you should ask every contractor for them, not just us.

1. The GISA number

Ours: 37945732 (Bling Bling GmbH, construction trade business under § 99 GewO). Publicly searchable in GISA — checked in thirty seconds. A business that does not want to give you its number has a reason for it.

2. Proof of authorisation of the partner companies

For structural engineering (§ 94 no. 5), electrical work (§ 94 no. 16), gas/plumbing (§ 94 no. 25) and tiling (§ 94 no. 38) we use licensed companies. You receive their proof of authorisation before signing the contract — not on request, not later.

3. A fixed price according to ÖNORM B 2110

With a bill of quantities. It also states what is not included. Extra work only with your written consent — with photo documentation before work continues.

And what we document is something you normally never see: photos of the rough installation before the walls are closed. The waterproofing before tiling. Both disappear behind plaster and tiles — and both decide whether the property will still be watertight in twenty years. You receive the pictures at handover. Not on request.

To be honest

What we do not promise.

Four things you hear elsewhere — but not from us

Trust does not come from someone promising everything. It comes from someone telling you where the limits are.

  • “We are the cheapest.” — We are not. Anyone who ignores drying times, leaves out the waterproofing and does not price in disposal is cheaper. Until the final invoice.
  • “It can be done in two weeks.” — Cement screed needs around 28 days to be ready for floor coverings. That is physics, not a matter for negotiation. Anyone who promises it anyway is working against the drying time — and in two years you will have hollow-sounding tiles.
  • “I can tell you right away on the phone what it costs.” — No. What a renovation costs is decided by the condition behind the wall. You only see it after opening up. A price given over the phone is either too high — then we lose the job — or too low, and then the extra charges follow.
  • “We do everything ourselves.” — We are not allowed to. Structural engineering (§ 94 no. 5), electrical work (§ 94 no. 16), gas/plumbing (§ 94 no. 25) and tiling (§ 94 no. 38) are regulated. Anyone who claims to do all of this themselves either holds four licences — or has a problem.

Old-building renovation — in all 23 districts and the surrounding area

We renovate period buildings throughout Vienna, as well as in Klosterneuburg and the Lower Austrian surrounding area — with a focus on Gründerzeit buildings and apartment blocks.

Most of this work concerns multi-unit buildings. If you want to have an entire apartment block (Zinshaus) renovated and not just one apartment in it, different figures and a different process apply: €1,500 to €3,000 per square metre of usable floor area, subsidies via wohnfonds_wien, and construction usually while the building is occupied. The details of apartment-block renovation are on a separate page.

the individual trades

An old-building renovation brings many trades together. On the individual areas:

Apartment renovation Vienna

The individual apartment — from the bathroom to a gutting renovation.

Electrical work Vienna

The old electrics are renewed by licensed partners under § 94 no. 16 GewO.

Insulation Vienna

Internal insulation in protected period buildings where external ETICS is not permitted.

Floor Renovation Vienna

New build-up on the timber beam ceiling with impact sound insulation.

Windows & Doors Vienna

Renovating or replacing box-type windows — they must be preserved in conservation zones.

Renovation Vienna

The overview of all renovation services.

When you do not need us

Not every project needs a building contractor. During the site visit we will tell you honestly if we are the wrong choice for you — even if it costs us a job.

A single trade

If you only need a painter, you do not need a coordinator. Hire the painter directly — it is cheaper.

Mainly structural engineering and planning

If your project consists mainly of permit planning and structural calculations, go directly to a licensed master builder. A building contractor in between is one level too many.

Technically sound, just old

Copper pipes, waterproofing intact, no damp damage? Then a cosmetic refresh is enough. Save your money.

Why we say this: A customer we sold an unnecessary renovation to will not come back and will not recommend us. A customer we told honestly that their bathroom will last another ten years will call us in ten years — and in the meantime, when the riser pipes in the building are due for replacement.

what you should know

So that you know exactly what to expect, we answer the most important questions about old-building renovation in Vienna here — honestly and from the practical experience of a construction company that does the work.

What does an old-building renovation in Vienna cost?

Depending on scope and condition, an old-building renovation in Vienna costs roughly between 800 and 2,500 euros per square metre. A gentle renovation that preserves the fabric is at the lower end, a gutting renovation with new pipes, electrics and floor plan at the upper end. Gründerzeit buildings with stucco, box-type windows and timber beam ceilings require special skills — in return, the charm that makes a Viennese period building is preserved.

Renovate or demolish — which is worthwhile?

With a Gründerzeit building, renovation is almost always the better choice: the fabric is usually solid and durable, demolition is often not even permitted (conservation zone) and a new build is more expensive. A professional renovation also preserves the value and the historic townscape. Only in the case of severe structural damage can a new build make more sense — a structural survey clarifies this.

What needs to be considered with conservation zones and listed buildings?

Many Viennese Gründerzeit buildings are in a conservation zone (MA 19) or listed. Then the facade, windows and often the appearance are protected — changes require approval. We clarify the requirements with the authorities before construction starts so that there are no surprises, and align windows and facade with the specifications.

What subsidies are there for old-building renovation?

In Vienna there are base renovation (Sockelsanierung) subsidies via wohnfonds_wien, THEWOSAN for thermal measures and “Raus aus Gas” for heating replacement. The nationwide Sanierungsbonus is paused as of 2026. We check which funds can be combined for your property in the free initial consultation — it is important to apply for subsidies before awarding the contract.

Old-building renovators in Vienna: who does what

Anyone looking for an old-building renovator ends up with developers, general contractors, master builders and craft businesses. The differences are large – above all on the question of who is liable and who actually builds.

ProviderWhat they doWho they suit
Developersbuys, renovates and sells – or renovates in its own nameBuyers of fully renovated apartments
General contractortakes on all trades with one contract and one warrantyOwners who want one contact person – see General Contractor Vienna
Construction company with its own crewbuilds itself and coordinates authorised partner companiesOld-building renovation of an apartment or house at a fixed price
Individual tradespeopleone tradesmall repairs, if you coordinate yourself
Refurbishment or renovation of a period building? Refurbishing renews surfaces – floors, painting, doors. Renovating tackles pipes, ceilings, moisture and the facade. In a Viennese period building, a real old-building renovation usually starts with the electrics, risers and timber beam ceilings.

Planning an old-building renovation – this is how it begins: advice and site visit, a survey of the existing structure with findings on ceilings, moisture and pipes, then a cost framework and subsidy check, and only after that planning and submission. Anyone who starts with the floor plan before the existing structure has been checked often plans twice.

Old-building renovation near you: we renovate period buildings in all 23 Viennese districts – 1010 Innere Stadt, 1020 Leopoldstadt, 1030 Landstraße, 1040 Wieden, 1050 Margareten, 1060 Mariahilf, 1070 Neubau, 1080 Josefstadt, 1090 Alsergrund, 1100 Favoriten, 1110 Simmering, 1120 Meidling, 1130 Hietzing, 1140 Penzing, 1150 Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, 1160 Ottakring, 1170 Hernals, 1180 Währing, 1190 Döbling, 1200 Brigittenau, 1210 Floridsdorf, 1220 Donaustadt, 1230 Liesing – as well as in Klosterneuburg and the area around Vienna.

Renovating an old house: when the old building is a detached house

“Althaussanierung” (renovating an old house) often does not mean the Gründerzeit apartment block, but an older detached or estate house from the interwar period or from the decades after 1945. In Vienna, such houses are mainly found on the outskirts, for example in Floridsdorf, Donaustadt, Liesing or Hietzing. The tasks differ significantly from a stucco period building: instead of timber beam ceilings and risers for many households, it is about a basement without a functioning horizontal damp-proof course, electrics with too few circuits, a barely insulated roof and often an old boiler that needs replacing. On top of that come extensions from later decades that were rarely connected cleanly to the original structure – cracks and damp patches later appear at these joints.

A sequence from bottom to top and from outside to inside has proven itself: first clarify moisture and load-bearing structure, then the roof and building envelope, then pipes and heating, and finally the surfaces. Anyone who starts with the new bathroom and only then dries out the walls pays for parts of the work twice. How we tackle an entire house from basement to ridge is described on the page on house renovation in Vienna. If the basement is wet, damp-proofing the masonry usually comes first. Whether converting the roof space at the same time pays off is something we look at during the site visit.

Frequently asked questions about old-building renovation in Vienna

How do I find a good old-building renovator in Vienna?
Ask for references with client and period, for a fixed price under ÖNORM B 2110 and for who carries out the regulated trades. A reputable provider carries out a site visit before naming a binding price.
Is a developer or a general contractor better for an old-building renovation?
If you own the period building and want to keep it, the general contractor or the construction company carrying out the work is the right partner. A developer is mainly the choice when renovated apartments are being sold.
What does an old-building renovation in Vienna cost?
€900 to €1,800 per square metre for an apartment, €1,000 to €2,500/m² of usable floor area for an entire apartment block. A complete renovation of a 90 m² Gründerzeit apartment therefore costs €81,000 to €162,000 net.
What does it cost to renovate a 100 m² period apartment?
Partial renovation €40,000 to €90,000, complete renovation €90,000 to €180,000, gutting renovation down to the shell €150,000 to €250,000 net. The difference lies in whether pipes, electrics and floors are renewed or only the surfaces.
What makes a period building more expensive than a new build?
Crooked walls that have to be levelled, timber beam ceilings with limited load-bearing capacity, pipes without as-built drawings, hazardous substances from several building eras and ceiling heights over three metres that cost material and time. Plus sites without storage space and without a lift.
What is a timber beam ceiling and why does it matter?
The typical floor structure in a Viennese Gründerzeit building: wooden beams with a false floor and fill. It carries 150 to 250 kg/m² and moves with the seasons. This determines screed build-ups, bathtubs, drywall walls and tile formats – and must be checked before planning.
What is a Dippelboden?
A special form of timber ceiling in which the beams lie close together and are dowelled to each other. It carries more than an ordinary beam ceiling but is just as sensitive to moisture. When opened, it often reveals fill made of slag or rubble that has to be disposed of.
Can box-type windows be preserved?
Usually yes, and in conservation zones it is often the only permissible option. Renovation costs €900 to €1,800 per window, with insulating glass in the inner sash €1,400 to €2,400. This improves the U-value from about 2.2 to 1.3 – less than a new window, but the look is preserved.
What about the stucco on the ceiling?
Stucco worth preserving is cleaned, supplemented and painted – supplemented by casting existing elements, not with prefabricated parts from a catalogue. This costs €90 to €220 per linear metre but increases the value of a period apartment far more than it costs.
How do you deal with crooked walls?
Deviations of 5 to 15 cm over three metres are normal. Levelling costs space: five centimetres on both sides means ten centimetres less room. We measure with a laser and say openly where levelling is worthwhile and where a wall should stay crooked.
What hazardous substances are found in Viennese period buildings?
Asbestos in floor adhesives, Eternit and pipe insulation up to 1990, old mineral wool from before 1998, lead pipes in buildings before 1930, tar-containing coatings in basements, wood preservatives in roof trusses from the 1960s and 70s, plus slag fill in ceilings. Sampling costs €800 to €2,500.
What does the electrical installation cost in a period building?
€65 to €130 per square metre for a complete new installation by a licensed electrical contractor. In period buildings with two-wire installation without a protective earth conductor, renewal up to the distribution board is mandatory – anything else is patchwork.
Do the risers need to be renewed as well?
If they are made of galvanised steel or lead: yes, otherwise the new apartment hangs on old pipes and gets brown water. That is a matter for the building, not the apartment – which is why, before any apartment renovation, it must be clarified when the riser replacement is due in the building.
How is the floor built up in a period building?
On a timber beam ceiling, a dry build-up is usually used: fill, system board, dry screed. This keeps the weight at around 50 kg/m² instead of 100 with wet screed. Where the structure allows it, flowing screed is the flatter and cheaper solution.
Can underfloor heating be installed in a period building?
Yes, even on timber beam ceilings – with a dry system and heat-conducting plates. Build-up height from 50 mm, costs €70 to €140/m². Coordination with the heat source is important: underfloor heating needs low flow temperatures.
What needs to be considered with gas boilers?
They need combustion air. Tight new windows and a powerful extractor fan can become dangerous. In every old-building renovation with window replacement, this must be clarified with the chimney sweep – that is not a formality but a matter of life and death.
What is a category upgrade?
Upgrading an apartment without a bathroom or toilet from category D to A by installing a bathroom, toilet and heating. It is eligible for subsidies and raises the permissible main rent – but legally only takes effect on re-letting, not during the existing tenancy.
What subsidies are there in 2026?
For buildings, the base renovation (Sockelsanierung) via wohnfonds_wien with up to 40% of eligible costs, plus THEWOSAN for thermal measures. For apartments, the City of Vienna’s apartment improvement subsidy. The federal tradesperson bonus (Handwerkerbonus) expired at the beginning of 2026 and was not extended.
Old-building renovation: when does the subsidy application have to be submitted?
Before awarding the contract and starting construction, with the permit in place. Anyone who starts beforehand loses the entitlement completely. This is the most expensive avoidable mistake in old-building renovations.
What does a conservation zone mean for my renovation?
Every change to the appearance as seen from public space is assessed by MA 19: facade, windows, roof structures, balconies. Nothing changes inside. Allow two to four months for clarification before the cost estimate is finalised.
Old-building renovation: do I need a building permit?
For interventions in the load-bearing structure, changes to the room layout affecting daylight or escape routes and changes to the appearance, yes, via MA 37. Pure surface work and non-load-bearing partition walls in the apartment are exempt.
How long does an old-building renovation take?
Apartment partially renovated 3 to 6 weeks, completely 8 to 16 weeks, gutting renovation 12 to 20 weeks. For an entire building 6 to 18 months. Plus procedures if an application has to be submitted.
Old-building renovation: can I stay in the apartment during the renovation?
With a partial renovation yes, with a complete or gutting renovation no – then water, electricity and floors are temporarily unavailable. In renovations of the building, the other apartments remain habitable.
What needs to be considered with rented apartments?
If the apartment is unusable, the repair falls under the landlord’s maintenance obligation under § 3 MRG. The tenant needs consent for improvements under § 9 MRG. Keep invoices and photos – they are the basis for a compensation claim under § 10 MRG on moving out.
How do I deal with neighbours and the property manager?
A notice in the staircase two weeks in advance stating scope, duration and contact person. The property manager must be involved as soon as containers, scaffolding, use of the staircase or common parts are affected – which is the case in almost every old-building renovation.
Old-building renovation: what happens with hidden damage?
We stop, take photos and present a supplementary quote before work continues. In period buildings, change orders of 5 to 12% are to be expected. Anyone who promises zero has either built them into the price or will claim them later.
Who does the structural engineering and submission?
Licensed partner companies under § 94 no. 5 GewO, named in the quote. We coordinate procedures and execution; you have one contract and one contact person.
Is an attic conversion worthwhile as part of the renovation?
For apartment blocks almost always: the new apartments finance a considerable part of the renovation, and scaffolding and procedures are only needed once. Costs €3,000 to €4,000 per m² of new usable floor area. Details on Attic Conversion Vienna.
What increases the value the most?
In this order: a separate bathroom instead of a bathroom niche, new pipes and electrics, tight windows, a lift in the building, a balcony or terrace. Preserved stucco and old door leaves are selling points – anyone who removes them gives away fabric that cannot be restored.
Renovate or demolish?
With Gründerzeit buildings the question rarely arises: demolishing them requires a permit and is in practice not approved in conservation zones. Economically, renovation with subsidies is usually the better calculation anyway – especially in combination with an attic conversion.
Old-building renovation: is there a fixed price?
Yes, after a site visit and survey of the existing structure, as a bill of quantities under ÖNORM B 2110 with items, quantities, explicit exclusions, a construction schedule and a payment schedule based on construction progress.
Old-building renovation: what warranty is there?
Three years under § 933 ABGB on the construction work, ten years on the roof waterproofing. Construction liability insurance €3 million, proof before work begins.

Glossary & technical terms

Timber beam ceiling (Holztramdecke)

The typical Viennese period ceiling made of wooden beams. It flexes, transmits sound and has limited load-bearing capacity — decisive for the floor and ceiling build-up.

Box-type window (Kastenfenster)

The historic double window. In conservation zones it often has to be preserved and can be renovated rather than replaced.

Conservation zone

An area with a townscape worth preserving. Visible changes to the facade must be coordinated with MA 19.

Rising damp

Moisture that rises from the ground into the masonry — a common period-building issue that is clarified before the interior fit-out.

ÖNORM B 2110

The Austrian standard for construction contracts — governs change orders, deadlines and warranty.

Gutting renovation

Complete renovation down to the shell — electrics, pipes, floors, bathrooms, often with a change of floor plan.

§ 94 no. 5 GewO

The trade regulation provision for the regulated master-builder trade. Structural engineering and planning applications are reserved for master builders.

Warranty (§ 933 ABGB)

The statutory warranty of 3 years on construction work. Manufacturers’ guarantees run separately.

Comparison of options

OptionWhen it makes sense
Partial renovationWhen only individual areas are renewed — a bathroom, the electrics, the floors. Cheaper and faster.
Gut renovationWhen the fabric is fundamentally renewed — down to the shell, often with a change of floor plan.
Renovation in stagesWhen the budget or occupancy requires step-by-step implementation — planned in a coordinated way.

Reference projects

Apartment in an apartment block, Innere Stadt

Gutting renovation of a Gründerzeit apartment with new electrics and new pipes via the licensed partners, floors and bathroom from a single source.

Gründerzeit facade, Ottakring

Facade renovation in the conservation zone in coordination with MA 19, preserving the historic articulation.

Bathroom and riser renovation, Wieden

Renewal of the bathroom and supply pipes in an occupied apartment block, coordinated with plumbing and tiling partners.

Related services Skyline Bau

Related services

◆ Partner company · Bling Premium Cleaning

Period building renovated? We get the fine dust out.

After an old-building renovation, dust sits in joints, window rebates and radiator niches — where a broom cannot reach. The final construction clean is handled by our partner company Bling Premium Cleaning, including glass cleaning and removal of adhesive residue and paint splashes. More at bling-bling.at.

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Bling Bling GmbH · Skyline Bau brand · Company details in the legal notice

Note: Skyline Bau is the brand name of the construction and renovation division of Bling Bling GmbH and is not a separate legal entity. The sole contractual partner is Bling Bling GmbH. Bling Bling GmbH is a restricted construction trade business under § 99 GewO (Austrian Trade Regulation Act) and not a licensed master builder (Baumeister). Under § 99 (5) GewO, the title “Baumeister” is reserved for businesses licensed under § 94 no. 5 GewO. Regulated trades — master-builder services, structural engineering, gas and sanitary engineering, electrical engineering — are carried out exclusively by authorised, licensed partner companies.