You want to completely renovate your house or apartment and this project represents a milestone in your life.
This article outlines the main items to include in your budget and helps you gauge the true scope of a renovation. Each element will then need to be refined and developed based on your specific choices of materials, finishes, and level of personalization.
The investment for a complete renovation in Geneva is generally between CHF 1,500 and 3,500+ per m² .
This range depends directly on:
the level of finish
the degree of personalization and finish
technical modifications
structural constraints
the quality of the coordination
A serious renovation is not summarized by choosing materials. It includes demolition, technical management, protection, compliance, planning and the integration of all trades.
Collet Homes pilots Full Scale Renovations.
It requires constant and structured supervision, as hundreds of technical decisions, adjustments and validations must be anticipated in advance and then controlled in the field.
Here’s what really influences the budget.
Table of Contents
Bathroom renovation prices in Geneva
A bathroom can cost 25,000 CHF.
It can also reach 90,000 CHF.
Both versions are consistent, but the difference lies in the choices made.
Standard bathroom
CHF 25,000 – 40,000
-
Porcelain stoneware tiles (standard sizes)
-
Prefabricated vanity unit
-
Quartz or ceramic countertop
-
Chrome-plated taps
-
Classic wall-hung toilet with concealed cistern
-
Simple lighting
The plumbing remains close to the existing system.
Electrical adaptations are limited.
Little or no custom manufacturing.
High-end bathroom
CHF 45,000 – 90,000+
Marble or quartzite slabs
Integrated basin, either assembled or carved from stone
Large format shower enclosures
Thermostatic built-in tap
Integrated LED lighting
Custom carpentry
Masonry niches and benches
This level implies:
Scope verification
Enhanced waterproofing
Millimeter coordination
Longer supply times
Breakage risk management
The cost increases because the complexity increases.
Lire le blog
BATHROOM RENOVATION: KEY STEPS AND MISTAKES TO AVOID…
Cost of a kitchen renovation in Geneva
Standard kitchen
CHF 30,000 – 50,000
An efficient and controlled solution, simplified management, no need to adapt to the complexity.
Custom kitchen
CHF 50,000 – 100,000+
Fully custom-made joinery
Floor-to-ceiling storage
Natural stone top
Sink integrated into the worktop
Concealed LED lighting
Possible removal of load-bearing wall
Electrical panel adaptation
- High-end appliances and special features
Removing a load-bearing wall involves engineers, calculations, permits, and technical monitoring.
This is where the cost of a complete renovation in Geneva can quickly escalate.
Custom joinery & built-in furniture
Custom-designed and built-in cupboards, dressing rooms, libraries, and offices.
Indicative budget:
CHF 2,500 – 5,000 / linear meter
Variables:
Veneer or solid wood
Lacquered, varnished, or oiled finish
Interior design and integrated lighting
Hardware
Installation complexity and adjustment
Carpentry often involves modifications:
Electrical crossings
Ceiling levels
Baseboard alignments
Electricity & Lighting
Often underestimated.
A complete renovation often includes:
Partial or complete resumption of circuits
Electrical panel adaptation
Creation of new lines and addition of sockets
Recessed spotlights
LED profiles and specific details
Standard budget:
CHF 12,000 – 40,000+
If the ceiling or walls are opened up to integrate lighting and new elements, expect the following:
- Channeling, partial openings
- Installation of false ceilings and wall linings
- wall and ceiling renovation
- plasters and finishes
- related finishing touches and complete repainting
Flooring & Tiles
Indicative price ranges:
Engineered wood flooring: CHF 180 – 350 / m²
Large format tiles (120×120 or more): CHF 220 – 400 / m²
Natural stone: CHF 300 – 600+ / m²
To consider:
Acoustic underlays
Flatness and health of substrates
Presence and compatibility of underfloor heating
Complex cutouts
Small and large formats require more precision, increase exposure time and therefore investment.
Often overlooked positions
Tests and studies needed
Asbestos and lead
Structural studies
Feasibility
- Permits and authorizations
Construction site protection
Elevator protection
Common areas
- Protection of elements preserved during renovation
Dust management
Demolition
Selective demolition
Structural verification
Securing networks
Sorting & recycling
In Geneva, recycling is regulated:
Concrete
Metal
Drink
Plaster
Specific waste
Transportation and unloading represent a significant expense.
Delivery
Depending on the accessibility of the property, the delivery and transport of materials will require more or less time and effort… more manpower, or even specific mechanisms (cart, crane, etc.)
Some materials will require additional shipping charges from the manufacturer or distributor (for example, a special crate for shipping large format ceramic tiles).
Painting & Finishing
When a major renovation is carried out, and especially when ceilings or walls are opened up:
Plastering, smoothing, and painting of walls
- Painting of the woodwork and doors
Insurance
Appropriate insurance policies guarantee the ability to execute, even in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
- Civil liability insurance for damages up to 5 million CHF caused to third parties due to professional negligence.
- Project Owner’s Liability Insurance (RCMO) protects the project owner against civil risks related to the construction site. It covers damages caused to third parties as a result of the construction and includes legal defense costs if the project owner is sued.
- Construction Works Insurance (TC) protects the work in progress, guarantees the continuity of the construction site, and prevents financial delays. It covers unforeseen material damage: fire, water damage, theft, and accidental errors.
Example: 100 m² apartment in Geneva
Assumption :
2 high-end bathrooms
1 custom-designed kitchen
Floors replaced everywhere
Built-in cupboards
Electrical work
Complete painting
Demolition & Recycling
Realistic investment: CHF 220,000 – 380,000 and more depending on level of finish and technical complexity.
Why are budgets changing so rapidly?
In addition to the purchase, production, and installation cost of each element, each technical decision influences another:
Built-in faucets → increased wall thickness
Stone slab → structural load check
Custom carpentry → electrical network modifications
Integrated lighting → ceiling reconstruction
New flooring → door adjustment
A complete renovation is a coordinated system.
The more integrated the project, the more precise and planned the execution must be.
Read the blog on
ADVANCE PLANNING IN RENOVATIONS
Conclusion
The cost of a complete renovation in Geneva depends on the level of finish, the technical complexity and the quality of coordination.
The best way to control the budget remains a structured feasibility phase:
Technical validation
Material alignment
Sequencing
Budget modeling
For a clear project, a chosen investment budget, and controlled variances.
Read more:
COLLET HOMES – GENERAL CONTRACTOR WITH PROJECT MANAGEMENT
AN APPROACH TAILORED TO COMPLEX RENOVATIONS IN GENEVA AND VAUD
