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Renovation consulting

Renovating your house, well advised. From idea to a clear plan.

You want to remodel, modernise or refurbish your house but do not know where to start? We advise you on site, show what is possible and what it costs, and accompany you through to handover if you wish.

  • Personal advice in your home
  • Cost estimate, also for the bank
  • Clear next steps, one contact person
Request advice on site →How to proceed
Renovation consulting by umbaumanager.ch
5.0★★★★★from 31 Google reviews
Planning a house renovation

Renovating a house: how to proceed step by step

Six steps from idea to moving in. For each step you see what you do yourself and what we take on.

1. Idea & wishes

What should change, and why? More space, more light, lower energy consumption or a house for the next stage of life.

You
  • Note down wishes and must-haves
  • Collect photos and ideas
  • Roughly set the time frame
Us
  • Free initial conversation by phone
  • First assessment of what is realistic
TipDistinguish between «must have» and «nice to have». It helps later with the budget.
Consulting package

Your personal consulting package

After the consultation you know what is possible, what it costs and what happens next.

What the package includes

  • Advice on siteCondition, requirements, feasibility, preserving and increasing value
  • Cost estimateDetailed, as a basis for decisions, also for the bank
  • SketchesBased on your existing plans
  • ScheduleFrom start to completion
  • Discussion in several roundsAdjustments, e.g. to optimise budget and tax
  • RoadmapStep-by-step overview of the next steps
  • One contact personRenovation from a single source if you want to continue
Consulting package Full package
  • ApartmentfromCHF 499
  • HousefromCHF 990
  • Apartment buildingfromCHF 1'990
Advice only
  • Verbal on-site consultationCHF 290

All prices incl. VAT. The package price depends on the size, condition and number of units of the property. The initial phone call is free of charge.

Request the consulting package →
Christian Vogt
Christian VogtCo-founder · Architect BA ZFH
★★★★★

«Great communication every step along the way. […] There was never doubt that the project would be on time and in budget.»

Google review · Renovation & house purchase
★★★★★

«Good sparring partner and always with more than one solution.»

Google review · House renovation
Types of advice

Remodelling, renovation or refurbishment: we advise on all of them

The boundaries often blur. Together we find out what your house really needs.

Remodelling advice

For changes to the layout, use or size of the house.

Removing walls, converting the attic, building an extension, dividing a detached house into two flats
More about house extensions →

Renovation & modernisation advice

For rooms and surfaces that are getting on in years.

Renewing bathroom and kitchen, floors, windows, lighting, adapting for later life
More about house renovation →

Refurbishment advice

For damage, the building envelope and building services, often in older buildings.

Insulation, heating replacement, pipes, damp, gut renovation
More about heating replacement →
The right starting point

Where are you right now?

A different service suits each phase. Choose, and we will show you the right starting point.

Projects

Started with advice, finished as a renovation

All projects →
Renovated farmhouse in the Zurich Unterland
Zurich Unterland

Complete renovation of a farmhouse

Duration
12 mo.
Scope
Complete
Region
ZH
House renovation in Zurich
Zurich

House renovation in Zurich

Duration
3 mo.
Scope
House
Region
ZH
House renovation in Rudolfstetten
Rudolfstetten AG

House renovation in Rudolfstetten

Duration
10 wks
Scope
House
Region
AG
Locations

Renovation consulting in Zurich, Winterthur, Basel, Lucerne and Bern

We come to your home. Five locations, advisers from your region.

ZurichHead office Unterengstringen WinterthurRudolf-Diesel-Strasse 3 BaselReinacherstrasse 85 LucerneGrabenhofstrasse 2, Kriens BernSägestrasse 79, Köniz
Frequently asked questions

Questions about renovation consulting

Christian Vogt
Reviewed by Christian VogtArchitect BA ZFH · Updated October 2026
How do I go about renovating a house?

It starts with your wishes and an assessment of the building's condition. This is followed by budget, planning and, if necessary, the building permit, then quotes, contract award and execution. Renovation consulting helps you keep to the right order and avoid expensive changes to plans during construction. You will find the six steps above.

What does renovation consulting give me?

After the consultation you know what is possible in your house, roughly what it costs and how to proceed. You receive a cost estimate as a basis for decisions, also for the bank, sketches and a schedule.

Do I already need plans for the consultation?

No. Existing plans help because we can draw sketches on them. If they are missing, we survey the building on site.

What is the difference between remodelling, renovation and refurbishment advice?

In a remodelling project you change the layout or use. In a renovation or modernisation you renew rooms and surfaces. A refurbishment repairs damage or improves the building envelope and building services. We advise in all three cases and show what can sensibly be combined.

Can I also use the consultation before buying a house?

Yes. With our property purchase advice we check the condition, renovation options and costs before you buy, so that you know what to expect after the purchase.

Guide

Guide to planning a house renovation

In-depth information for your planning. Click on a chapter to open it.

Five common mistakes in house renovations
  • Planning without a condition assessment: otherwise hidden damage only shows up on site.
  • No contingency: renovating existing buildings almost always brings surprises.
  • Replanning during construction: every change costs time and money.
  • Quotes that are not comparable: different scopes of work cannot be compared fairly.
  • Too many contact people: without coordination, schedules and responsibility get lost.
Ideas for a house renovation
  • An open-plan kitchen-diner instead of separate rooms
  • Converting the attic into an extra room or office
  • Dividing a detached house into two flats
  • A conservatory or extension for more living space
  • A barrier-free ground floor for later

The consultation on site shows which of these are possible in your house.

Renovating in stages or all at once?

Renovating all at once is usually cheaper and faster because the site, scaffolding and tradespeople only have to be organised once. Stages suit if the budget is limited or you live in the house during the renovation. An overall plan is important so that later stages do not tear open earlier work.

Checklist for the consultation
  • Wishes and must-haves
  • Rough budget and financing
  • Plans and original building permit
  • Photos and known defects
  • Desired time frame
More services
Architect for renovationProperty purchase adviceBuilding permitConstruction managementHouse renovationFlat renovation
Christian Vogt, architect

Your renovation starts with a conversation.

Tell us what you are planning. We show you what is possible and how best to proceed.

Request advice →
Phone044 860 37 91
Emailinfo@umbaumanager.ch
ProcessRequest advice