Renovation Vienna that turns old into better.

Renovation Vienna: from the construction company that does the work — not from an agent.

Renovation Vienna: a renovation in Vienna costs 400 to 2,500 euros per square metre net. Partial renovation from €400/m², complete renovation of an apartment €900–1,800/m², gutting renovation up to €2,500/m². We carry out the non-regulated trades ourselves and coordinate the licensed partner companies. Fixed price under ÖNORM B 2110.

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A renovation in Vienna costs €400 to €2,500 per square metre net. Partial renovation with floors, painting and doors from €400/m², complete renovation of an apartment with pipes, electrics and bathroom €900 to €1,800/m², gutting renovation down to the shell €1,500 to €2,500/m². For apartment blocks (Zinshäuser) the calculation is based on usable floor area: €1,000 to €1,800/m² for the subsidised base renovation (Sockelsanierung). Construction time 3 weeks to 18 months, depending on scope.

◆Hands-on construction company ◆All trades from a single source ◆Fixed price under ÖNORM ◆Honest calculation ◆Based in Vienna 1210

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“Renovation in Vienna, from a single source, at a fixed price under ÖNORM” — that is the standard Skyline Bau sets for itself when running renovations in Vienna. “From a single source” means: one contract with a construction company that does the work itself, instead of ten separate agreements with ten subcontractors.

“Fixed price under ÖNORM” means: ÖNORM B 2110 (2023 edition) — the Austrian standard for construction contracts with clearly defined rights and obligations for both parties. No change orders on a whim, no hourly-rate model that ends up costing twice as much. What is in the quote applies — at the final invoice just as on the handover date.

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Renovation Vienna from a single source

Renovation in Vienna means the structural renewal of an apartment or a building — from individual measures and partial renovation through to a comprehensive general renovation. An outdated, worn-out property becomes modern, valuable and energy-efficient living space. Renovation brings out what the existing building has to offer.

Renovating means investing in the existing building instead of building new. Especially in Vienna — a city with a large stock of historic buildings — renovation is usually the more economical and more sustainable choice: it preserves the fabric and character of the building but costs considerably less than a new build, which costs roughly two to three times as much per square metre. Anyone who values Viennese period architecture will find renovation the only sensible option anyway.

Skyline Bau carries out renovations as a construction company that does the work itself, in cooperation with licensed master-builder partner firms. A renovation brings many trades together — demolition, masonry and drywall, electrics, plumbing, flooring, painting. All of them have to be planned, scheduled and coordinated. Skyline Bau takes over this coordination and is responsible for the overall result. This turns many separate trades into one managed overall project.

For the client this means: one contact person, one contract, one fixed price, one schedule for a project that would otherwise be spread across many individual firms. Instead of commissioning and supervising ten trades themselves, the client has one construction company that runs the entire project. That saves time, nerves and the error-prone coordination at the interfaces.

This page is the overview of Skyline Bau’s renovation services. Depending on the property and the goal, the company carries out different types of renovation — old-building renovation, apartment renovation, apartment-block renovation, energy-efficiency renovation, general and complete renovation. Each of these areas has its own detailed page; this overview puts them in context and helps with initial orientation.

We renovate for owners, property managers and investors in Vienna — from a single apartment to a detached house to an entire apartment block. Skyline Bau plans the renovation, coordinates all trades and hands over a fully renovated property — at a binding fixed price under ÖNORM B 2110. That way the client knows before construction starts what the renovation will cost and when it will be finished.

Renovation Vienna — all services at a glance

If you are looking for one contact person for all trades, you will find the overview on Construction Company Vienna.

What does renovation in Vienna cost?

The cost of a renovation in Vienna depends above all on the scope — from a single measure to a complete renewal — as well as on the condition of the building fabric and the desired standard of fittings. After a site visit, Skyline Bau prepares a binding fixed-price quote under ÖNORM B 2110.

By far the biggest influence on the price is the scope of the renovation. A comprehensive general or complete renovation of an apartment — everything new, from the electrics and plumbing to floors and surfaces — costs around 1,000 to 1,500 euros per square metre. This range is an experience-based guide value for the Viennese market.

Individual measures or a partial renovation cost correspondingly less. For a typical Viennese period apartment of 90 to 100 square metres, this means an investment of around 90,000 to 150,000 euros. The larger the apartment, the lower the price per square metre, because trades such as electrics and plumbing do not become proportionally more expensive. Individual measures or a partial renovation cost correspondingly less.

A second factor is the condition of the building fabric. Especially in Viennese period buildings, the true situation only becomes apparent once walls and floors are opened — outdated wiring from the 1960s, damaged pipes, moisture damage. The worse the existing condition, the higher the effort. These hidden defects are the most common reason for cost surprises. A third factor is the standard of fittings: a renovation with standard materials is cheaper than high-end fittings, and a luxury or listed-building renovation costs considerably more.

For comparison: a new build in Vienna costs around 2,500 to 4,000 euros per square metre — renovating the existing building is therefore usually much more economical, and the character of the building is preserved. Skyline Bau inspects the property, assesses the fabric, calculates all trades honestly and completely and names a binding fixed price.

Especially in old buildings, an experienced assessment of the existing structure is the basis of a reliable quote. Better a complete, realistic calculation than a low teaser price that later becomes expensive through change orders. Honesty in the quote is the foundation of honest cooperation.

Renovation company or general contractor — what you really need

In Vienna the two terms are used interchangeably, but they describe two different business models. The difference determines who is liable when a trade gets it wrong.

Skyline Bau is a hands-on renovation company and at the same time acts as general contractor: one contract under ÖNORM B 2110, one fixed price, one warranty, one site manager. What we do ourselves, we do ourselves; structural engineering, electrics, gas and plumbing are handled by licensed partner companies — but within the same contract and under the same site management.

How to recognise a pure agent: they name a price without having seen the property, and the contract is between you and a company you did not know beforehand. We only name a price after the site visit, and the contract is between you and us.

the types of renovation at a glance

“Renovation” is a broad term — it ranges from a single replaced pipe to the complete renewal of an entire apartment block. It is worth knowing the most important types, because each has its own scope and its own purpose.

The largest of these cases has its own name in Vienna: anyone who has a Zinshaus (apartment block) renovated is dealing with timber beam ceilings, risers from the interwar period, conservation-zone requirements and existing tenancies all at once. An apartment-block renovation therefore follows different rules from the renovation of a detached house — right down to subsidies that only exist for the apartment-block stock.

Old-building renovation refers to the renovation of Gründerzeit-era and older buildings — with the typical issues of Viennese period buildings such as timber beam ceilings, box-type double windows and outdated building services. Apartment renovation focuses on the individual apartment, from single rooms to a complete renewal. Apartment-block renovation covers the entire building — facade, roof, staircase, common areas and building services.

General renovation and complete renovation refer to the comprehensive renewal of a property in one go — all trades, everything new. Gutting renovation goes even further: the property is stripped back to the shell and completely rebuilt. Energy-efficiency renovation, in turn, focuses on energy efficiency — insulation, windows, heating — and can be subsidised.

There is also partial renovation, which renews individual areas or trades in a targeted way — for example a bathroom renovation, a riser replacement or new electrics. Skyline Bau carries out all of these renovations. From a single trade to a general renovation, the company covers the entire spectrum.

Which one is right depends on the property, its condition and the goal — and exactly this classification is the first step of every renovation consultation. Skyline Bau takes time for this classification before the first quote is drawn up. Each type of renovation has its own detailed page with details and prices. This overview refers you to the relevant specialist page.

Partial or complete renovation?

One of the first questions of every renovation is: how far should it go? There is a wide field between a targeted partial renovation and a comprehensive complete renovation.

A partial renovation renews individual areas in a targeted way — a bathroom, the electrics, the floors, the windows. It is the right choice when the building fabric is generally sound and only certain parts have reached the end of their service life. A bathroom renovation or a riser replacement are typical examples. It is cheaper, faster and can often even be done while the property is occupied. This makes partial renovation the right choice for targeted, manageable renewals.

A complete renovation renews the entire property in one go. It makes sense when several trades need renewal at the same time — because then a joint renovation is more economical than many individual measures spread over the years. A bundled complete renovation also avoids repeated construction phases in the same property. If you are renewing the electrics anyway, you should not have to open the walls twice. A bundled renovation saves money and effort in the long run.

The right scope follows from the condition of the building fabric and the owner’s goals — not from a blanket rule. Skyline Bau assesses the property expertly and recommends the scope honestly: no less than makes sense and no more than necessary. This honest advice at the outset prevents too little or too much from being renovated. The right scope is the most economical decision.

in Viennese period buildings

Vienna is a city of old buildings. A large share of all renovations concern Gründerzeit-era apartment blocks and older residential buildings — and these come with their own conditions.

The Viennese Altbau (period building) has a charm no new build can replace: high ceilings, double doors, stucco ceilings, herringbone parquet. These elements are valuable in themselves and are preserved in a professional renovation. Behind the beautiful facades, however, there is often outdated technology — wiring from the 1960s without a protective earth conductor, damaged pipes, draughty box-type windows, inefficient heating. An old-building renovation combines both: preserving the character and bringing the technology up to a modern standard. Outdated wiring in particular is often a safety-relevant issue in Viennese period buildings.

Typical of Viennese period buildings are timber beam ceilings (Tramdecken) — wooden joist ceilings that require special attention during renovation and changes to the floor plan — and box-type double windows (Kastenfenster), which are restored or replaced. In addition, there are conservation zones in which the facade and appearance are subject to official requirements. Anyone renovating an old building must expect surprises — that is not a threat but experience. An experienced master builder factors these surprises in realistically from the outset.

Skyline Bau specialises in renovating Viennese period buildings and apartment blocks. Over the years, this has produced a well-founded body of experience with Vienna’s building stock. This experience goes into every renovation plan. The company knows the building fabric of Gründerzeit-era buildings, the typical hidden defects and the official requirements. The result is a renovation that preserves the period character and at the same time brings the property up to a modern, valuable standard. Preserving character and renewing technology — that is the core of old-building renovation.

energy-efficiency renovation and subsidies

A renovation is always also an opportunity to improve a building’s energy efficiency. Energy-efficiency renovation is therefore a separate, important aspect of every renovation plan.

Energy-efficiency renovation covers the measures that reduce a building’s energy consumption: insulating the facade, roof and basement ceiling, replacing old windows, renewing the heating — for example switching from oil or gas to a heat pump. It noticeably reduces running costs and improves the building’s energy performance certificate.

The subsidies are central — two schemes that can be combined. The Vienna scheme: the Sockelsanierung (base renovation) programme of wohnfonds_wien supports comprehensive renovations of old buildings and apartment blocks with renovation loans and non-repayable grants. The federal scheme: the federal Sanierungsscheck supports thermal building renovations and the replacement of fossil heating systems — for example switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump or connecting to district heating.

In a comprehensive renovation, 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. Anyone who considers subsidies from the very beginning finances a considerable part of the renovation with public funds — the exact conditions and the right time to apply are decisive.

For initial orientation in Vienna’s subsidy landscape, the City of Vienna runs the free advisory service Hauskunft Wien, which provides independent information on all renovation questions; wohnfonds_wien supports subsidy applications and monitors the use of funds. Skyline Bau works routinely with both and aligns the planning so that the measures actually meet the subsidy criteria — from the energy performance certificate before and after the renovation to the U-value limits of the individual subsidy schemes.

Skyline Bau includes the energy component in the renovation planning and aligns the construction work so that it fits a subsidised project. In this way, renovation and subsidy can be coordinated from the start. Whether the energy-efficiency renovation is a stand-alone project or part of a general renovation — it turns a necessary renewal into an investment that saves energy costs year after year. The energy component pays off over the entire service life.

the trades involved in a renovation

A comprehensive renovation is an interplay of many trades. Anyone who understands which works come together also understands why coordination is so important.

It starts with demolition and stripping out — removing old floor coverings, damaged surfaces and non-load-bearing walls. This is followed by masonry and drywall work: new walls, changed floor plans, openings. This is where the new room layout of the renovated apartment is created. At the same time, the installations are renewed — electrics, water, heating, often ventilation as well. This hidden technology is the backbone of a modern, safe apartment.

Then come the surfaces: plaster, screed, tiles, floor coverings. They give the renovated rooms their finished appearance. The final steps are the painting work and the installation of doors, windows and sanitary fixtures. Only these last trades turn the construction site into a property ready to move into. Each of these trades has its fixed place in the sequence — the installations must be in place before the plaster, the screed before the floor covering, the painting right at the end.

This is exactly where the task of the general contractor lies. Skyline Bau plans all trades, schedules them in the right order, coordinates the specialist companies and supervises the work. The client does not have to commission ten firms and monitor their interfaces — this responsibility lies with the construction company carrying out the work, which answers for the finished overall result. One contact person carries the entire project from the site visit to handover.

Vienna specifics

• Large stock of old buildings — many renovations concern Gründerzeit-era buildings.
• More economical than a new build — renovation usually costs a half to a third.
• Timber beam ceilings & box-type windows — typical period-building issues require experience.
• Conservation zones — facade and appearance are often subject to requirements.
• Hidden defects — the true condition only shows when things are opened up.
• Energy-efficiency subsidies — the City of Vienna and the federal government support efficiency measures.
• Many trades — a renovation requires precise coordination.
• Honest calculation — a complete fixed price instead of a teaser price with change orders.
• Hands-on construction company — all trades, one contract, one contact person.
• Fixed price under ÖNORM B 2110 — all services calculated, no change orders.

Renovation Vienna — active in all Viennese districts

Process and construction time

A renovation follows a clearly structured process — and anyone who knows it can plan the project better.

It begins with the site visit and planning: Skyline Bau assesses the condition of the property, clarifies the desired scope with the client and prepares the binding fixed-price quote under ÖNORM B 2110 with clearly itemised services. For works requiring a permit and in conservation zones, the official requirements are clarified. This means there are no open questions with the authorities when construction starts.

If you are planning a renovation in Vienna, Skyline Bau is the right choice: renovation in Vienna at a fixed price, professionally done and from a single source.

The work follows the fixed sequence of trades: demolition and stripping out, masonry and drywall, installations, plaster and screed, floors and tiles, and finally painting and fitting. The final steps are the final inspection and handover of the fully renovated property.

The client only receives the keys after a careful final inspection. The property is then modern, valuable and ready to move into. The construction time depends on the scope — a complete renovation of an apartment usually takes a few months. Skyline Bau states the binding time frame in the fixed-price quote. This allows the renovation to be planned reliably.

why a renovation pays off

A renovation is an investment — and one that pays off on several levels. The gain ranges from quality of living and energy savings to an increase in value.

The most immediate gain is quality of living. A renovated apartment is bright, functional and fitted out to modern standards — modern bathrooms, new floors, a well-thought-out room layout. The residential value rises noticeably and immediately with the renovation. A worn-out property becomes a home that meets today’s requirements without losing its period character. It is exactly this combination of character and comfort that makes the renovated period building so sought-after.

Experience counts in renovation in Vienna. For renovation in Vienna and the surrounding area, you receive a transparent fixed-price quote.

The second gain is energy savings. A renovation with an energy component — insulation, windows, heating — reduces running costs noticeably and permanently. Over the years these savings add up considerably. The third gain is the increase in value: a renovated property with a good energy performance certificate is worth significantly more and is easier to sell or let than an unrenovated one. The energy performance certificate has long been a decisive criterion when selling.

Skyline Bau carries out the renovation in such a way that this threefold gain — quality of living, energy savings and value — lasts. Compared with a new build, renovating the existing building is the more economical choice, which also preserves the fabric and character of the building. A renovation is therefore rarely just a repair, but almost always a decision about value.

Private or commercial — we carry out renovations in Vienna on schedule and cleanly. Renovation in Vienna by professionals saves time, money and nerves.

Renovation Vienna for owners, property managers & investors

Skyline Bau renovates all types of property: from a single apartment to detached, terraced and semi-detached houses, multi-family houses, the classic Viennese apartment block, office properties, hotels, warehouses and commercial and industrial buildings. For commercial properties we work during ongoing operations where needed: in several construction phases, outside business hours or in coordinated stages so that the business does not come to a standstill.

Typical service packages renovation Vienna

• Site visit and assessment of the building fabric
• Clarification of the desired scope of renovation
• Binding fixed-price quote itemised by service
• Clarification of official requirements and conservation zones
• Demolition and stripping-out work
• Masonry and drywall work, floor plan changes
• Renewal of electrics, water and heating
• Energy-efficiency measures — insulation, windows, heating
• Plaster, screed, tiles and floor coverings
• Painting work and installation of doors and sanitary fixtures
• Coordination of all specialist trades
• Handover of the fully renovated property at a fixed price

from planning to handover

Renovation company in Vienna: how to recognise a good one

In this industry there are several agents between the search result and the construction site. Anyone looking for a renovation company often ends up on portals that resell the enquiry. These six checkpoints separate the company that does the work from the agent.

what matters when choosing

A renovation is a major undertaking — and its success is decided by the choice of the company carrying it out. Three points are particularly important.

Experience and clean workmanship count in renovation in Vienna. For renovation in Vienna and the surrounding area, you receive a transparent fixed-price quote.

The first point is honest calculation. A very low initial quote is tempting — but often ends in a chain of change orders that ultimately make the project more expensive than a realistic quote. A serious renovation starts with a complete, honest cost breakdown that also takes into account the foreseeable surprises of an old building. That way there are no nasty surprises during construction.

The second point is the coordination of the trades. A renovation rarely fails because of a single trade — it fails at the interfaces, when firms are not coordinated, deadlines are missed and nobody has the overall picture. Exactly this coordination is the core service of a general contractor. A construction company that does the work itself solves this problem: one company is responsible for all trades and their coordination. The interfaces are thus in one hand instead of between many firms.

The third point is master-builder expertise. A renovation often touches the structure — load-bearing walls, ceilings, structural engineering. Such interventions belong in the hands of a licensed master builder. Anyone intervening in load-bearing components needs the assessment of an expert in cooperation with licensed master-builder partner firms. Skyline Bau combines all three points: honest calculation, coordination by a construction company that does the work itself, and master-builder expertise — and stands behind the finished, professionally renovated property as one contact person. This combination distinguishes a master-builder operation from a mere broker of individual trades.

Increase in value through attic conversion, lift and loggia

A renovation preserves the fabric — and with the right extensions it becomes an increase in value. Especially in Vienna’s building stock, three levers bring a great deal: the attic conversion, the addition of a lift and the subsequent addition of loggias or balconies. Each individual measure noticeably raises the value; combined with a complete or base renovation, a property 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 — modern floor plan, up-to-date insulation, often with terraces and views. These top-floor apartments achieve top prices on the Viennese market. As a construction company that does the work itself and works with licensed master-builder partner firms, Skyline Bau builds the shell for the attic conversion, coordinates the building services and carries out the interior fit-out through to turnkey handover.

For us, renovation in Vienna means: one contact person, one contract, one fair price. That is how renovation in Vienna works without surprises.

If you are planning a renovation in Vienna, Skyline Bau is the right choice: renovation in Vienna at a fixed price, professionally done and from a single source.

The addition of a lift is the second big lever: retrofitting a lift considerably upgrades the upper floors, makes the building barrier-free and increases lettability. As a construction company working with licensed master-builder partners, Skyline Bau coordinates the lift shaft, foundation, floor openings and structural engineering and coordinates the lift manufacturer. The addition of loggias and balconies completes the value-increasing trio — an apartment with outdoor space is worth significantly more than one without.

Skyline Bau plans the renovation from the outset with these value-increase potentials in mind. A comprehensive renovation combined with an attic conversion and lift is the most economical solution — scaffolding, site setup and dealings with the authorities are needed anyway, and the synergies are considerable. This turns a renovation project into an investment in the value of the entire property.

As a value-increasing measure, the attic conversion is subject to a clear system in Vienna: the Vienna Building Code, the OIB guidelines and the Austrian earthquake standard (ÖNORM B 1998-1) are binding. Structurally, a distinction is made between two variants — light attic conversion with a maximum weight increase of 720 kg/m² (timber construction, without extensive strengthening) and heavy attic conversion (with screeds, solid floors, full bathrooms — requires structural strengthening of the entire building). Turnkey €3,000 to €4,000/m². Subsidies from wohnfonds_wien for the creation of new living space are possible.

The Vienna Building Code also governs all major renovation and conversion measures — from building permit and building notification to notification obligations. Skyline Bau coordinates the official procedures with MA 37 (building authority) and MA 19 (urban design). For larger renovations, the OIB guidelines come into play: OIB 2 for fire protection, OIB 3 for hygiene and health, OIB 5 for sound insulation, OIB 6 for energy saving and thermal insulation. Skyline Bau plans in accordance with all OIB guidelines and supplies the associated documentation with the planning application.

Why Skyline Bau for your renovation in Vienna

• Hands-on construction company — even structural interventions carried out professionally.
• All trades from a single source — coordinated from demolition to painting.
• One executing building contractor — one contract, one fixed price, one contact person.
• Period building & apartment-block experience — specialised in Vienna’s building stock.
• Honest calculation — a complete fixed price instead of a teaser price with change orders.
• Energy-efficiency expertise — efficiency measures and subsidies considered from the start.
• Fixed price under ÖNORM B 2110 — all services calculated, no change orders.
• Verifiable quote — itemised by service, ideal for property managers.
• €3 million construction liability insurance.
• Subcontractor on the Parliament renovation 2022 — renovation work at the Austrian Parliament, 1010 Vienna, in 2022.

What does “renovation” actually mean? How it differs from modernisation and refurbishment

Renovation, modernisation and refurbishment are constantly confused — and precisely this conceptual clarity is the basis for a serious renovation quote:

Private or commercial — we carry out renovations in Vienna on schedule and cleanly. Renovation in Vienna by professionals saves time, money and nerves.

• Renovation (Sanierung) = eliminating damage and restoring usability. Roof repair after water damage, basement renovation after moisture problems, mould removal, structural strengthening. The structural and technical restoration of the building fabric.
• Modernisation = increasing the residential value and adapting to today’s standards. Installing new heating, photovoltaics, a smart-home system, new sanitary facilities. Goes beyond merely repairing damage.
• Refurbishment (Renovierung) = visual and cosmetic improvement. Painting, wallpapering, new floor covering. The smallest of the three levels of intervention.
• Gutting renovation = comprehensive renovation down to the shell, with stripping out, new building services and complete renewal. From €150,000 upwards.
• Thermal renovation = insulation of facade, roof and basement plus window replacement to reduce energy costs. From €70,000 for a complete thermal renovation.

Skyline Bau delivers all four renovation levels in Vienna as a construction company that does the work itself, in cooperation with licensed master-builder partners — from minor structural damage to a gutting renovation of an apartment block.

Authorities, subsidy bodies and official points of contact

Anyone renovating in Vienna needs to know the official points of contact — Skyline Bau coordinates the cooperation with all of them:

• wien.gv.at — the City of Vienna with its central subsidy portal for housing, renovation and home improvements.
• wohnfonds_wien (wohnfonds.wien.at) — the body responsible for subsidised renovations of residential buildings and residential homes as well as the base renovation (Sockelsanierung) of Viennese apartment blocks.
• Hauskunft Wien (hauskunft-wien.at) — the City of Vienna’s free advisory service for all questions about renovating homes in and around Vienna.
• Qualitätsplattform Sanierung (qp-sanierung.at) — supported by the City of Vienna, it puts you in touch with qualified renovation partners.
• Sanierungsoffensive (sanierungsoffensive.gv.at) — federal subsidy for boiler replacement and thermal renovation (2026 priorities).
• MA 37 — Building Authority for building notifications and building permits for substantial renovations.
• MA 50 — Housing Subsidies, the Vienna scheme.
• MA 19 — Urban Design for properties in conservation zones and interventions on facades.

Why Skyline Bau instead of S-T-O, SANAG, transenna or emasan?

The established Viennese renovation companies are technically first-class. So what sets Skyline Bau apart?

Experience counts in renovation in Vienna. For renovation in Vienna and the surrounding area, you receive a transparent fixed-price quote.

First — a contract with a construction company that does the work itself, together with licensed master-builder partners, at one fixed price. A classic renovation company often covers only part of the renovation itself (e.g. painters, floor layers) and passes on the demanding work. Skyline Bau bundles all trades into a single fixed-price contract under ÖNORM B 2110 (2023 edition) — from excavation to key handover.

Second — a role model compliant with competition law (UWG). Skyline Bau is a construction company that does the work itself and, for regulated activities (master builder § 94 no. 5 GewO, electrical engineering § 94 no. 16, gas and plumbing § 94 no. 25, tiling § 94 no. 38), commissions only authorised partner companies. This clean separation is legally sound and completely transparent for clients — no risk in disputes over insurance or trade licences.

For us, renovation in Vienna means: one contact person, one contract, one fair price. That is how renovation in Vienna works without surprises.

Third — a deep understanding of Vienna’s subsidy landscape. We know the difference between the Sockelsanierung (wohnfonds_wien, up to 40% of costs), the Sanierungsscheck (federal scheme, up to €14,000 for comprehensive thermal renovation), Vienna housing subsidies (MA 50) and the OeKB climate loan. Skyline Bau plans renovations so that the subsidy criteria are met.

Fourth — subcontractor on the Parliament renovation 2022. A high-level federal reference that proves documented renovation work to the highest standard.

Construction time in Vienna — the reality

A comprehensive renovation in Vienna typically takes 6 to 9 months for an 80–120 m² apartment, and a gutting renovation in an apartment block 9 to 18 months. With energy-efficiency measures, drying times (screed 4 weeks before floor covering, plaster 2–3 weeks) and delivery times for components (made-to-measure windows 8–12 weeks, designer sanitaryware 6–10 weeks) can extend the duration. Skyline Bau builds these buffer times in as binding dates — no ifs and buts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reference: Parliament building Vienna

Renovation in all 23 Viennese districts

Whether a period building in the Gründerzeit districts or a house renovation on the outskirts – the process is the same, the focus differs. We work in 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. What is typical in which district is described on the page Construction Company Vienna.

Renovating an apartment, house or period building in Vienna

Refurbishing means renewing what lies on the surface – painting, floors, doors. Renovating means also tackling pipes, screed or masonry. Refurbishing an apartment in Vienna costs €250 to €450/m², with a new bathroom €450 to €800/m² – the table by apartment size is on Apartment Renovation Vienna. If you want to renovate a house, you will find the prices on House Renovation Vienna; if you want to renovate a period building, on Old-Building Renovation Vienna.

Gutting an apartment in Vienna: when going back to the shell is the right step

Gutting an apartment means removing everything that is not load-bearing: floors down to the bare ceiling slab, wall coverings, installations, often non-load-bearing partition walls as well. What remains is the shell, into which pipes, screed, bathroom and surfaces are newly installed. This is the most elaborate route, and it is not always worthwhile. It makes sense when several problems come together: wiring without a protective earth conductor, galvanised or lead water pipes, saturated floors in wet areas and a floor plan that no longer fits.

In Viennese period apartments there is a further reason. Only when the floor is open can you see what condition the beam ends and the fill are in. Anyone who only renews the surface lays a new parquet floor on a structure whose condition nobody knows. In a gutting renovation this is checked and, if necessary, repaired with structural engineering before a new floor build-up is installed.

As a net guide value, a gutting renovation costs €1,500 to €2,500 per square metre, depending on the condition of the ceilings, the number of wet rooms and the fittings. The construction time is several months and can extend to a year, especially if a permit has to be awaited for floor plan changes or the ceilings have to be strengthened. More on the process and decision points is on the page Gutting Renovation in Vienna.

Renovating newer buildings: houses from the 1950s to the 1980s

In Viennese usage, “Neubau” (new building) often simply means built after the war. These houses have different weak points from Gründerzeit buildings, and that is exactly why recipes from period buildings rarely fit here. Instead of timber beam ceilings there are reinforced concrete or hollow-block ceilings, which are load-bearing but transmit sound. The external walls are thinner, and thermal bridges at balcony slabs and window lintels lead to mould in the corners. Galvanised steel pipes are often clogged after sixty years.

A particular point is the building materials of that era. Floor coverings, adhesives, window putty and fibre-cement boards may contain asbestos. Before any grinding, chiselling or demolition, a hazardous-substance survey is therefore part of the job – otherwise the site comes to a standstill as soon as suspicion arises. In terms of energy, insulating the facade, the top floor ceiling and the basement ceiling achieves a lot in such houses because the starting values are poor. How such measures are planned and subsidised is described on the page on energy-efficiency renovation.

Which subpage best describes your project

This page provides an overview of all types of renovation. For specific questions you will find more precise answers, prices and processes on the specialist pages. The following assignment helps you get there faster.

Why this separation? A bathroom on the 4th floor follows different rules from a house in a garden-settlement area. Anyone who simply asks a renovation company in Vienna for “renovation” gets a general answer; anyone who states the type of property, year of construction and scope gets a reliable assessment. For an initial conversation, a floor plan, a few photos and the information whether the rooms will remain occupied during the work are enough – more under Contact.

House conversion in Vienna: when the floor plan no longer fits

A house conversion rarely begins with the wish for new surfaces. Usually the layout no longer fits: the children have moved out, a parent is moving in, a barrier-free bedroom is to be created on the ground floor, or the cramped 1970s kitchen is to be opened up to the living area. Technically, this almost always means that walls are moved or removed. Before a wall comes down, it must be clarified whether it is load-bearing. In post-war Viennese detached houses, interior walls often also carry the ceiling; then you need a structural engineer, a downstand beam and, depending on the scope, a submission to the building authority (MA 37). A conversion also entails building services: anyone who moves the bathroom also moves the drainage and ventilation. That is why we plan floor plan, structure and pipes together before we name a price. If the house is not only converted but also enlarged, the page on extensions in Vienna is the right starting point; for the roof, facade and basement of the existing building, the page on house renovation helps.

Own work under guidance: what works in a renovation in Vienna

Yes, there are specialist companies that accept the client’s own work – but hardly any that guide laypeople step by step on their own site. The reason is not unwillingness but liability: what the client carries out themselves, the company can neither guarantee nor reliably plan into its schedule. Work at the beginning and at the end can be clearly separated: clearing out furniture, removing wallpaper and old carpets, clearing out basement compartments, later painting walls or laying laminate in individual rooms. Electrical, gas and water installations, waterproofing in the bathroom and anything that affects the load-bearing structure do not belong in own work – these are regulated trades, and a mistake there usually remains invisible for years. Anyone who wants to help should say so when enquiring. Then the quote states exactly which items are omitted, by when they must be completed and where our warranty ends. Without this separation, a postponed own-work date ultimately costs more than it saved.

Renovation concept for properties in the 7th district (1070 Vienna)

In the 7th district, very different buildings stand close together: low Biedermeier houses on Spittelberg, Gründerzeit apartment blocks along Neubaugasse and Zollergasse, plus courtyard buildings that used to house workshops and small factories. Anyone who has a renovation concept drawn up for such properties first needs an honest survey of the existing condition: the state of the roof truss and timber beam ceilings, moisture in the basement masonry, the age of the risers, the electrics in the common areas. This determines the order. Whatever lets water into the building or affects safety comes first; surfaces come last. A useful concept divides the work into stages, assigns a cost framework to each stage and shows which steps require a permit. Large parts of Spittelberg are in a conservation zone; changes to the facade, windows or roof are coordinated there with MA 19. For buildings with tenants, we also plan renovation concepts so that occupied units are affected as little as possible. More in-depth information can be found on the pages Apartment-Block Renovation and Renovating a Gründerzeit Building.

Refurbishments in Vienna: small interventions, neatly scheduled

Not every project is a renovation. Many enquiries concern refurbishments: freshening up an apartment after tenants move out, sanding worn parquet floors, replacing doors, retiling the toilet. Here the fabric remains untouched; it is about surfaces and fittings. That is exactly why scheduling determines the price. If the painter, floor layer and tiler come one after the other without anyone waiting for anyone else, a 70 m² apartment is often finished in two to three weeks. If each tradesperson waits for the previous one, it quickly becomes a month. In Viennese period buildings it is worth taking a quick look behind the surface during a refurbishment: a cavity behind the tiles or an old fabric-insulated cable in the junction box is cheaper to fix while work is being done anyway. For pure painting work, the page Painting Work is the right one; for individual repairs, the page Small Repairs.

Frequently asked questions about renovation in Vienna

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