Tekenpunt / Renovations / Facade alteration
▲ Renovation type · Facade alteration PLAN N°GEV-2026 / SCALE 1:50 / 06.2026

Facade alterations and shopfronts across the Netherlands

More light, a more open living room or a better-looking street frontage. Whether you enlarge a window frame, install sliding doors or alter the facade: we produce the permit-ready construction drawing from €639 incl. VAT, including advice on lintels and aesthetic review.

€639
Starting price
Permit-ready drawing (incl. VAT)
Wisselend
Permit
Front facade always required
Fast
Delivery time
Rush for a surcharge
930
Projects
Across the Netherlands, since 2016
§01 What is the

What is a facade alteration?

A facade alteration enlarges or changes an opening in the outer wall, for example a small window that becomes a wide sliding door or a new window in a blind facade. A permit-ready construction drawing costs from €639 incl. VAT and we plan it by arrangement; rush is available for a surcharge. You follow your entire application live in your own online file, from quote to delivery.

A facade alteration enlarges or changes an opening in the outer wall: from a small window to a wide sliding door, or a new window in a blank facade. These are the elements we draw and calculate.

GEVELAANZICHT 1 2 3 4 5 6
  • 1
    New lintel / steel beam

    Above every enlarged or new opening in a load-bearing wall, a lintel is placed to carry the load from the floor and roof. A structural engineer determines the size; we incorporate this into the drawing.

  • 2
    New window frame or shopfront

    The window frame or shopfront (aluminium, timber or PVC) connects to the brickwork. We draw the dimensions and connection details so the frame supplier and contractor can start work immediately.

  • 3
    Brickwork and insulation connection

    The masonry around the new opening is cut back or filled in. The insulation is continued to prevent cold bridges. We show this in a section detail.

  • 4
    Window frame layout and opening direction

    The layout of the facade glazing (turn/tilt, fixed, sliding) determines the light entry and the feel. We advise and draw the desired layout to scale.

  • 5
    Drip sill and waterproofing

    A sill or water barrier is placed beneath the new opening. Crucial to prevent leakage, especially with large glazed frames. We include this in the specification detail.

  • 6
    Existing opening (reference)

    We draw both the existing situation and the new, so the municipality can assess the change directly and the contractor knows exactly what will be demolished and built.

§02 Quick check

Do you need a building permit?

Four questions, about 30 seconds. No obligation.

1
Which facade do you want to alter?
2
Is the property a listed building or in a protected townscape?
3
What do you want to change?
4
Is the alteration in a load-bearing wall?
✓ Feasible, with a building permit

A facade alteration at the front is almost always subject to a building permit and requires an aesthetic review. We know the local requirements and ensure the drawing passes first time. From €639 incl. VAT. Request a no-obligation quote for your exact situation.

§03 Costs

Calculate your facade alteration price

Indicative calculator. The drawing is a fixed price; the construction you commission separately through a contractor.

Your situation

What you pay with us

Lines excl. VAT

  • Construction drawing facade alteration€528.10
  • Selected add-ons€0
  • Rush (surcharge)€0
Total incl. VAT €639
Request a quote for this price →
The build itself is then handled by a contractor (not by us):
Construction costs facade alteration± €15,000

* We handle design and (if required) the building permit. Construction is carried out separately by a contractor or window company; that amount is an estimate. Request a quote for the exact drawing costs.

Amounts shown are incl. VAT (consumer price); the amount below the total is the amount without VAT. Your personal quote always shows the exact total price.

§04 Packages

Choose your package

Every package includes the drawing. Add structural calculation or the full permit route.

Drawing

from €639 incl. VAT
  • Existing + new floor plans, elevations, relevant sections and site plan to scale
  • PDF + DWG files, suitable for the municipality and your contractor
  • Fixed price upfront, no cost surprises

Not included

  • Structural calculation
  • Submitted to the municipality
  • 3D visualisation
Request this package →

Drawing + structural calculation

from €1,359 incl. VAT
  • Everything in Drawing
  • Load schedule per Eurocode, member/support sizing, checked against the Bbl building code
  • Signed off by our own structural engineer, internally checked before release

Not included

  • Submitted to the municipality
  • 3D visualisation
Request this package →
  • Our own structural engineers and drafters work per Eurocode and check against the Bbl building code; every drawing and calculation is reviewed internally by our checkers before release.
  • 930 projects since 2016, and 90% clears the aesthetics review (welstand) on the first pass — meaning: no design change needed after the municipality's first assessment.
  • 4.9 out of 13 reviews for this type of renovation (22 projects since 2016).
§05 Three variants

Which facade alteration suits your home?

From a simple frame enlargement to a complete front facade alteration with aesthetic review. We advise on what is permitted and what looks good.

Full facade alteration with aesthetic review

Replacing multiple window frames or restyling the entire front facade. Always subject to permit requirements, aesthetic review mandatory. We know the local requirements and tailor the design accordingly.

  • PermitRequired
  • Aesthetic reviewReview
  • Lead timeOn quote
Price on quote

Facade alteration with structural calculation (load-bearing wall)

If the wall to be altered is a load-bearing wall, a structural engineer calculates the correct lintel or steel beam. We combine drawing and calculation in one package.

  • StructureLintel/beam
  • PermitRequired
  • Lead timeOn quote
Price on quote
§06 Comparison

Facade alteration vs alternatives

A facade alteration is the smartest way to gain more light and kerb appeal without enlarging the home. Here is how it compares to a wall opening and an extension.

Facade alteration

  • From €639 incl. VAT construction drawing
  • Rear facade often permit-free
  • More light, not a larger home
  • Delivery planned by arrangement
  • Lintel/structure on request

Wall opening (internal)

  • Design from €599 incl. VAT
  • Permit rarely required
  • Merging two spaces
  • Structural calculation always required
  • No facade impact

Extension

  • Design from €599 incl. VAT
  • Permit required
  • More living space
  • Foundation + structure
  • Higher construction costs
§07 Aesthetic review per situation

What is permitted where?

Permit requirements and aesthetic review criteria for a facade alteration vary by situation. An overview of the most common cases.

Site plan
Type
Permit
Price
Aesthetic review
Rear facade, not a listed building
Enlarging window frame
Usually exempt
On quote
N/A
Front facade, regular neighbourhood
New facade
Required
On quote
Smooth
Load-bearing wall (front or rear)
Lintel/structure
Required
On quote
Smooth
Protected townscape
Custom facades
Required
On quote
Strict
Listed building / historic property
Custom work
Required
On quote
Very strict
§08 Case study

Example project: sliding doors at the rear facade

CASE · HAARLEM · 03.2026

Large sliding door in the rear facade of a 1950s house

Example project · rear facade · permit-free · more light in living room

+60% natural light
0€ permit
€639 incl. VAT our design
Fast drawing

Challenge: A family in Haarlem had a dark living room due to two small windows in the rear facade. They wanted more light and a direct connection to the garden, but were unsure whether they needed a permit and whether the wall was load-bearing.

Our approach: We assessed the situation: rear facade, not a listed building, no protected townscape. The existing wall proved to be load-bearing, so we had a structural engineer calculate the lintel. We then produced a complete drawing including a cross-section detail and sill solution. No permit required at the rear facade.

Result: A wide sliding door 3.5 metres across, 60% more natural light and a direct connection to the garden. Drawing including structural calculation planned in consultation; installation by a local window company.

§09 Additional info

Permit, structure & what to know

A facade alteration seems straightforward, but several technical and legal aspects are involved. What you need to know in advance.

Front facade always requires a permit

Every visible change to the front facade or a side facade bordering public space requires a permit. The municipality also applies an aesthetic review. We know the local aesthetic policies and present the design to best effect.

SOURCE · BUILDING DECREE / ENVIRONMENT ACT 2026

Load-bearing wall requires structural engineer

Enlarging an opening in a load-bearing wall requires a lintel or steel beam. Without a correct structural calculation you risk cracking or worse. We combine the construction drawing and structural calculation and deliver everything in one package.

ADVICE · NEN 6702 / EUROCODE

Include energy performance

A new shopfront or larger window frame affects the Rc value of the facade. We advise the right glazing and frame package so heat loss remains limited and your energy label does not deteriorate.

ADVICE · ENERGY PERFORMANCE BUILDING DECREE 2026
§10 Frequently asked questions

FAQ about facade alterations

Q01Do I need a permit for a facade alteration?

It depends on which facade. An alteration to the front facade or a side facade bordering public space almost always requires a permit and an aesthetic review. A facade alteration at the rear is often permit-free, provided the property is not a listed building. We check this free of charge for your situation.

Q02What does a construction drawing for a facade alteration cost?

A permit-ready construction drawing for a facade alteration or new shopfront starts from €639 incl. VAT. The price depends on the scope, whether a structural calculation is needed and whether you want to outsource the permit application.

Q03Is a structural calculation required for a facade alteration?

Yes, if you enlarge an opening in a load-bearing wall. A lintel or steel beam must be placed above the new opening to take the load. A structural engineer calculates the correct size. We arrange that calculation as an additional service (+€379 incl. VAT) and include it in the construction drawing.

Q04What is an aesthetic review for a front facade?

For a facade alteration requiring a permit, the municipality checks whether the design fits the streetscape and the aesthetic policy. We know the local requirements and align the design accordingly, so the application passes first time. We work across the Netherlands.

Q05How long does it take?

We plan the construction drawing by arrangement; rush is available for a surcharge. If an environmental permit is needed, allow 8 weeks for the municipal decision period. We submit the application and keep track of the process.

Q06Do you work across the Netherlands?

Yes. We draw facade alterations across the Netherlands. We do the drawings remotely; any permit is submitted to your municipality. For every municipality we know or check the aesthetic policy and the zoning plan.

◆ Gevelwijziging in de praktijk

22 facade alteration projects since 2016

13 clients rated their facade alteration project with an average of 5,0 out of 5 stars. A few of their comments:

MV
M. V.Utrecht · Facade alteration
★★★★★

Great help with our facade alteration. Recommended!

Facade alteration
JJ
Jessica J.Groningen · Facade alteration
★★★★★

We wanted to build a facade alteration in Groningen. Tekenpunt guided us well from start to finish, and we could get straight to work with the contractor.

Facade alteration
MB
Maaike van den B.Amsterdam · Facade alteration
★★★★★

5 stars. Everything around the facade alteration was arranged smoothly.

Facade alteration
KD
Kim van D.Utrecht · Facade alteration
★★★★★

Snel en vakkundig. De gevelwijziging in Utrecht is prachtig geworden.

Facade alteration

View all reviews →

§12 Plan your facade alteration

Start your new shopfront today

A fixed-price quote as soon as possible. Free check on whether your facade alteration is permit-free or requires aesthetic review. No obligation.

Last updated: October 2026