Renovation Costs in the Netherlands: 2026 Price Guide

Kitchen renovation

Kitchen costs vary more than any other room. A budget refit (new fronts, worktop, appliances) in an existing layout starts around €5,000. A mid-range kitchen with new cabinets, stone countertop, built-in appliances, and new flooring lands between €10,000 and €18,000. A high-end kitchen with custom cabinetry, quartz or natural stone, premium appliances, and structural changes (moving walls, plumbing, electrics) runs €20,000 to €28,000 or more.

The kitchen itself (cabinets, countertop, appliances) is often only half the cost. Installation labour, plumbing, electrical work, tiling, and waste removal make up the rest. Budget separately for both.

Bathroom renovation

A standard Dutch bathroom is 4 to 8 m². Replacing the tiles, toilet, sink, shower, and bath in that space costs €7,500 to €16,000. A budget approach (basic tiles, standard fixtures, same plumbing layout) starts around €7,500. Moving plumbing, adding underfloor heating, or choosing premium tiles and rain showers pushes costs to €12,000–€16,000.

Toilet-only renovations are cheaper: €2,500 to €5,000 for a new toilet, tiles, sink, and installation. Many homeowners combine the bathroom and toilet into one project to save on mobilisation costs.

Extensions and dormers

Adding square metres is the most expensive renovation category. A ground-floor extension (aanbouw) in the Netherlands costs €1,500 to €2,500 per m², depending on foundation work, roofing, and finishing level. A 15 m² extension runs €22,500 to €37,500.

A prefab dormer (the most common type in Dutch terraced houses) costs €8,000 to €12,000 installed. Custom dormers with more width or structural complexity run €14,000 to €18,000. Most dormers do not require a full building permit (omgevingsvergunning) if they stay within the size limits of the vergunningsvrij rules, but check with your municipality first.

Full renovation by square metre

A full home renovation (strip to shell and rebuild: new floors, walls, kitchen, bathroom, electrics, plumbing, painting) costs €800 to €1,500 per m² in the Netherlands. For a typical Dutch rijtjeshuis of 110 m², that means €88,000 to €165,000.

These ranges include labour and materials but exclude permits, architect fees, and temporary housing if you need to move out during the work. Architect fees for a full renovation run 8–12% of the construction cost. Add 10–15% contingency on top of every estimate. Renovations in the Netherlands almost always cost more than the initial quote.

Energy-saving renovations

Energy renovations have their own cost structure and are partly offset by subsidies. Common measures and their 2026 costs:

ISDE subsidies cover 20–50% of insulation and heat pump costs. The Energiebespaarlening from Nationaal Warmtefonds offers loans at 0–4% interest for up to €65,000. Combine these and the net cost drops fast. See our financing a renovation guide for every option.

Flooring, painting, and smaller jobs

Getting accurate quotes

Price ranges in guides like this give you a starting point, not a final number. Every renovation depends on the condition of the property, the materials you choose, and where in the Netherlands you are building (labour costs in Amsterdam and Utrecht run 10–20% higher than in Groningen or Limburg).

Get at least three quotes from different contractors. Make sure each quote itemises materials, labour, VAT, and waste removal separately so you can compare properly. Ask about timeline, payment schedule, and what happens if costs exceed the estimate.

For larger projects (bathroom, kitchen, or full renovation), consider a company that handles the full process from design to quality control. Bricknest is a Dutch renovation company that assigns a dedicated project manager, provides detailed cost breakdowns upfront, and runs an independent quality inspection at completion. Their online calculator gives a quick initial estimate. For a hands-off renovation experience, that model saves time and reduces the risk of cost overruns.

Budgeting rules that work

• Add 10–15% contingency. Hidden problems (rotten beams, old wiring, asbestos) appear once walls come down. Budget for them before they appear.
• Get the BTW right. Renovation labour on homes older than two years is taxed at 21% BTW. Materials are also 21%. Some contractors quote excluding BTW, which makes their number look lower. Compare quotes including BTW.
• Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Price both versions. If the project runs over budget (it will), you know what to cut.
• Plan financing before you plan the renovation. If you are buying a home, include renovation costs in your mortgage through a verbouwingshypotheek. The interest rate is lower than a personal loan and the interest is tax-deductible.