Renovation has a way of opening things up — literally and metaphorically. Walls closed for decades get opened. Floors untouched since construction are lifted. And sometimes, what you find isn’t just old or outdated — it’s actively hazardous. Amsterdam and the Netherlands have a dense stock of older housing, with many materials installed in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s that have never been systematically assessed or replaced. Before you start any renovation — and in some cases, whi

Dutch housing policy has been moving fast. In the past 18 months alone, homeowners have seen: A new planning law (Omgevingswet 2024) come into effect Mortgage rules now linked directly to energy performance A quality assurance act (Wkb) changing contractor liability A government reversal on mandatory heat pump installation If you own a home in the Netherlands — or are considering a renovation — understanding this policy environment is essential. Some of these changes create o

Renovations that run smoothly do exist. The contractor arrives on time, the walls contain only what the drawings promised, the budget holds, and the finished home looks exactly like you imagined. This is not a fantasy — it happens regularly. But it never happens by accident. The difference between projects that succeed and projects that become expensive, drawn-out ordeals almost always comes down to preparation. The questions you ask — and answer honestly — before requesting

Renovating a home in Amsterdam is rarely inexpensive. Labour costs are high, demand for reliable contractors consistently exceeds supply, and navigating permits or building regulations can add time and complexity to almost any project. Anyone who has requested multiple renovation quotes in the city will have noticed something else as well: the prices can vary dramatically. But there is an important distinction between renovations that are expensive — and renovations that are

There is an important difference between a kitchen or bathroom that was recently renovated and one that genuinely feels modern. The first simply reflects when the work was done. The second reflects the decisions that were made. Many homeowners discover this the hard way. A kitchen installed ten years ago may technically still be “new,” yet already looks dated. Meanwhile, another space renovated with careful design choices can feel contemporary for decades. In practice, the di

For many homeowners, the most exciting part of a renovation is imagining the finished result — a larger kitchen, better light, a layout that finally makes sense. The legal framework behind that renovation rarely gets the same attention. Until it has to. In the Netherlands, starting construction without understanding the regulatory landscape can quickly turn an exciting project into an expensive problem. Fines are possible, but the more serious consequence is often something f

Among property investors in Amsterdam, one question appears again and again: is it better to buy new, or to buy an older property and renovate it? At first glance the choice seems straightforward. New construction offers certainty and modern energy standards, while renovation promises the possibility of value creation. But the reality is more nuanced. The Amsterdam property market has its own structural dynamics — pricing gaps, energy regulations, and renovation costs — that

A complete home renovation is one of the most ambitious projects most homeowners will ever undertake. It brings together design decisions, financial planning, building regulations, contractors, and the practical challenge of living through weeks — sometimes months — of construction work. Dust is unavoidable. Delays happen. And almost every renovation reveals at least one surprise once walls or floors are opened. But renovation projects rarely fail because something unexpected

Amsterdam is a city built in layers. The canal houses that fill postcards — narrow brick facades reflected in quiet water — are only the most visible one. A large share of the homes people live in today were actually built much later, between 1990 and 2015, during a period of rapid expansion, neighbourhood restructuring, and the transformation of former industrial areas into residential districts. Those homes are now roughly 15 to 35 years old. And many of them are quietly re