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 €695, including advice on lintels and aesthetic review.
A facade alteration enlarges or changes an opening in the exterior wall, for example a small window becoming a wide sliding door or a new window in a blank facade. A permit-ready construction drawing starts from €695 and is ready within 4 weeks, or 1-2 weeks on an express basis.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Four questions, about 30 seconds. No obligation.
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 €695. Request a no-obligation quote for your exact situation.
Indicative calculator. The drawing is a fixed price; the construction you commission separately through a contractor.
* 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.
From a simple frame enlargement to a complete front facade alteration with aesthetic review. We advise on what is permitted and what looks good.
Replacing an existing frame with a wide sliding door or large door-window combination. More light, a more open feel, no new storey required.
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.
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.
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.
Permit requirements and aesthetic review criteria for a facade alteration vary by situation. An overview of the most common cases.
Example project · rear facade · permit-free · more light in living room
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 in 5 weeks; installation by a local window company in 2 days.
A facade alteration seems straightforward, but several technical and legal aspects are involved. What you need to know in advance.
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 2026Enlarging 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 / EUROCODEA 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 2026It 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.
A permit-ready construction drawing for a facade alteration or new shopfront starts from €695 (excl. VAT). The price depends on the scope, whether a structural calculation is needed and whether you want to outsource the permit application.
Yes, if you enlarge an opening in a load-bearing wall. Above the new opening, a lintel or steel beam is required to carry the load. A structural engineer calculates the correct size. We arrange that calculation as an additional service (+€700) and incorporate it into the construction drawing.
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.
We deliver the construction drawing within 4 weeks (express 1-2 weeks). If a building permit is required, allow 8 weeks for the municipal decision period. We submit the application and monitor the process.
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.
A fixed-price quote within 1 working day. Free check on whether your facade alteration is permit-free or requires aesthetic review. No obligation.