A complete refurbishment modernises all trades in a house through a coordinated overall concept — building envelope, windows, heating, electrics and plumbing — while leaving the load-bearing structure untouched. It sits between standard renovation of individual trades and the much more extensive full strip-out refurbishment. In Berlin, allow around 1,400 to 2,500 euros per square metre, depending on the building fabric. This guide explains what a complete refurbishment includes, how it differs from full strip-out refurbishment and which funding applies in 2026.
Key points at a glance
- Complete refurbishment = all trades modernised (envelope, windows, heating, electrics, plumbing), with the load-bearing structure retained
- Distinction from full strip-out refurbishment: exposing the shell or changing the layout constitutes full strip-out refurbishment — retaining the structure constitutes complete refurbishment
- Costs in Berlin: around 1,400–2,500 €/m² — usually below full strip-out refurbishment because strip-out and structural shell alterations are avoided
- Complete refurbishment is the funding route to an Efficiency House: KfW loan with repayment subsidy (BEG residential buildings)1
- The buildings sector accounts for around 35 % of Germany's final energy consumption — combined renovation offers the greatest impact1
What is a complete refurbishment?
A complete refurbishment renews all trades in a house through a coherent concept: the entire building envelope (façade, roof, basement ceiling), all windows and doors, renewable-energy heating, electrical installations and often controlled ventilation. The building's load-bearing structure is retained — this is precisely what distinguishes complete refurbishment from full strip-out refurbishment, which takes the building back to its shell.
The appeal lies in coordination: only when the envelope and services are aligned does energy demand fall noticeably — and funding programmes such as the Efficiency House become fully accessible. An overall guide to costs and sequence is available in our article on House renovation in Berlin.
What is included in a complete refurbishment?
A complete refurbishment combines the following trades. Which are necessary depends on the house's condition — the aim is always a consistently modernised building with a coherent energy performance:
- Building envelope: Insulation of the façade, roof and basement ceiling
- Windows & doors: Replacement with thermally insulated units
- Heating: Renewal using renewable energy (heat pump or district heating)
- Electrics: New wiring, distribution and circuit protection
- Plumbing: Bathrooms, pipes and connections
- Ventilation: Often controlled domestic ventilation with heat recovery
Complete refurbishment vs full strip-out refurbishment
The crucial difference is the extent of intervention in the building fabric. Complete refurbishment modernises everything between the load-bearing walls without touching the structural shell; full strip-out refurbishment strips back to the load-bearing structure.
| Feature | Complete refurbishment | full strip-out refurbishment |
|---|---|---|
| Load-bearing structure | Remains unchanged | Exposed, layout can be changed |
| Typical measures | All trades modernised | Stripped back to the shell, rebuilding |
| Costs (Berlin) | Lower to middle range | Upper range and above |
| Suitable when … | Fabric and layout are suitable, just outdated | Layout/structure needs alteration |
What does a complete refurbishment in Berlin cost?
In our market experience, a complete refurbishment in Berlin costs around 1,400 to 2,500 euros per square metre — generally less than full strip-out refurbishment because its most expensive items (strip-out, disposal and structural shell alterations) are avoided. Berlin is 10 to 25 per cent above the national average. Reliable national average prices per square metre are difficult to give because building fabric, specification and market conditions vary considerably — only a property-specific quote or cost estimate provides a credible figure. A trade-by-trade breakdown is available in the 2026 cost overview.
Funding: complete refurbishment to an Efficiency House
Complete refurbishment is the route offering the most government funding. If you are tackling all trades anyway, achieving an Efficiency House level is considerably easier than through individual measures. Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings (BEG) explicitly distinguishes between funding for "new builds and complete refurbishment to an Efficiency House" and funding for individual measures.1 Complete refurbishment to an Efficiency House qualifies for a subsidised-interest KfW loan with a repayment subsidy (programme 261) of up to 150,000 euros per residential unit.2 Important: the funding application must be submitted before awarding the contract. Our guide explains which measures deliver which savings and the different Efficiency House levels: Energy refurbishment in Berlin.
Frequently asked questions
What is a complete refurbishment?
A complete refurbishment modernises all trades in a house through a coordinated concept: building envelope, windows and doors, heating, electrical and plumbing installations, often ventilation too. The load-bearing structure remains — distinguishing it from full strip-out refurbishment.
How does complete refurbishment differ from full strip-out refurbishment?
Complete refurbishment modernises everything without touching the structural shell. Full strip-out refurbishment takes the building back to its load-bearing structure and frequently alters the structure and layout. Moving walls or opening floors falls under full strip-out refurbishment; renewing all finishes and all services falls under complete refurbishment.
What is included in a complete refurbishment?
Typical work includes insulating the entire building envelope, replacing all windows and doors, installing new renewable-energy heating, completely renewing electrical and plumbing installations and usually adding controlled ventilation. Only the combined measures deliver a noticeable energy efficiency improvement.
Is complete refurbishment cheaper than full strip-out refurbishment?
Generally yes, because the most expensive items of full strip-out refurbishment — strip-out, disposal and structural shell alterations — are avoided. Reliable average prices per square metre are difficult to give because building fabric and specification vary considerably. Only a property-specific quote provides a credible figure.
Is Efficiency House funding worthwhile for a complete refurbishment?
Yes — complete refurbishment is precisely the route for which KfW provides subsidised-interest loans with repayment subsidies (BEG residential buildings). If you are tackling all trades anyway, it is easier to achieve an Efficiency House level and secure the higher funding rate. You must apply before awarding the contract.
Before commissioning: how to find and compare renovation companies in Berlinis explained in our dedicated guide. For an initial cost assessment, use the Renovation cost calculator.
Sources
- Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), energy transition in buildings: BEG funding for complete refurbishment to an Efficiency House; buildings sector ~35 % of final energy consumption
- KfW, Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings — residential buildings loan (programme 261/262), up to 150,000 € per residential unit
Comments
No comments yet — be the first to contribute.