Renovation costs compared
You want to renovate and are wondering what a construction drawing costs. The answer does not depend on a fixed price list per renovation type, but on the size and complexity of your specific project. A dormer window is simply more straightforward than a roof structure, and an internal wall removal requires less drawing work than a complete transformation of a property. In this article we explain which factors determine the price so you understand what drives your quote and encounter no surprises.
The price of a construction drawing depends on the size and complexity of your renovation, not on a fixed price list per type. At Tekenpunt a construction drawing starts from €349 incl. VAT; cost drivers are a structural calculation (from +€300 incl. VAT, up to +€2,118 incl. VAT depending on the type), the environmental permit application (+€200 incl. VAT), a 3D visualisation (from €199 incl. VAT) and rush delivery (+€236 incl. VAT). A dormer is the simplest, followed by a wall opening, an extension and a roof extension; a new build or conversion requires the most drawing work. You always get a fixed price in advance.
Fixed price upfront: this is how it works at Tekenpunt
At Tekenpunt you always pay a fixed price. You receive a tailored quote and that price is what you ultimately pay. No post-calculation, no hourly invoicing for every revision and no additional costs for communication with the municipality.
The construction drawing starts from €349 incl. VAT. That is the entry-level rate for a straightforward application: a project without major structural interventions, without permit-related complexities, and without additional services such as a 3D visualisation. The final price depends on what your project requires.
Tekenpunt has worked since 2016 and has completed 930 projects. Nine out of ten applications pass the aesthetic review in one go. You always get a fixed price in advance so you can plan your total budget accurately.
The factors that make a construction drawing more expensive
The price of a construction drawing is not an arbitrary number: it follows directly from what is technically and administratively needed for your project. These are the main cost drivers. Structural interventions. Are you removing a load-bearing wall, installing a steel beam or changing the roof structure? Then a structural calculation is needed. Under the Omgevingswet (Environment and Planning Act) this falls under the technical building activity: if the intervention affects structural safety, an environmental permit for the technical building activity is mandatory, even if nothing changes on the outside (source: IPLO). At Tekenpunt a structural calculation costs from +€300 incl. VAT (up to +€2,118 incl. VAT depending on the type). At Tekenpunt our own structural engineer is part of the permanent team, so that drawing work and calculations always match. Applying for an environmental permit. Not every renovation requires a permit, but if you need an environmental permit, submitting and managing that application costs +€200 incl. VAT. This covers the entire process: from preparing the right documents to submitting them to the Omgevingsloket and following up on any questions from the municipality. 3D visualization. Want a realistic picture of the end result before construction starts? A 3D visualization costs from €199 incl. VAT (when ordered with a drawing). This is not required for the permit but helps enormously in assessing the design and preventing disappointments afterwards. Expedited delivery. In a hurry because the contractor is already waiting or you have a deadline? With rush you deliver the drawings faster (for a surcharge). We plan quickly and in consultation with you. If you are in a hurry, rush delivery is possible: +30% for rush (minimum €236 incl. VAT) or +50% for extra rush (minimum €417 incl. VAT), on top of the regular drawing work. Number of facades and elevations. The more facades affected by the renovation, the more elevations need to be drawn. An intervention on the rear facade requires less drawing work than a renovation that affects multiple facades or introduces a new roof edge on three sides. Project size. A dormer is a relatively self-contained element: it affects one facade and does not change the rest of the home. An extension affects the foundation, the connection to the existing facade and the roof finish. A complete transformation or new build requires all disciplines at once. The more components come together, the more drawing work is needed.
From simple to extensive: how renovation types relate to each other
There is no fixed price per renovation type, but there is a logical progression from simple to extensive. That progression helps you understand why one renovation requires more than another.
Dormer window. A dormer window at the rear of the dwelling is one of the simpler interventions. Only one facade changes, the structure of the rest of the dwelling remains unchanged, and a dormer that meets the standard dimensions is sometimes even permit-free. If a permit is required, the drawings are relatively limited.
Internal opening. An opening in a non-load-bearing internal wall is limited in drawing terms and requires no structural calculation. If it concerns a load-bearing wall, the situation changes: a structural calculation is needed for the correct span and a structural substantiation for the permit. That makes an internal opening sometimes straightforward but sometimes also a more costly project.
Extension or addition. A rear extension touches multiple elements at the same time: foundation, existing facade, roof structure, and the connection to the existing building. Multiple elevations must be drawn and a structural calculation is often required. For larger extensions, the environmental permit also comes into play, especially for an extension that approaches the plot boundaries or is at the front facade.
Roof raise. A roof raise increases the living area by building on top of the existing roof. This is technically a major intervention: the existing load-bearing structure must be able to carry the new load, the roof is largely replaced, and multiple facades are modified. A structural calculation and environmental permit are almost always necessary.
New construction and transformation. A completely new dwelling or a major transformation of an existing building (such as converting a commercial property into homes) requires the most drawing work. All disciplines come together: architectural drawings for all floors, structural calculations, sometimes multiple elevations and sections, and an extensive permit procedure. These are the projects where all additional cost options come into play simultaneously.
Comparison table: drawing work per renovation type
At a glance: this is how the renovation types compare on the three factors that determine the drawing work.
| Renovation | Scope of drawing work | Structural calculation | Environmental permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dormer (rear) | Limited | Usually not required | Sometimes permit-free |
| Internal wall removal | Limited | Only for a load-bearing wall | Depends on the situation |
| Extension | Average | Often required (new foundation) | Often required |
| Roof extension | Extensive | Almost always required | Almost always required |
| New build or transformation | Most extensive | Always required | Extensive procedure |
The table is an indication: your own situation determines the final scope. Request a quote for a fixed price up front.
Why you should not expect a fixed price list per type
A frequently asked question is: what does it cost to have an extension drawn? The honest answer is that two extensions of five by three metres can be fundamentally different.
An extension at a location where the municipality imposes few aesthetic review requirements and no structural intervention to the existing load-bearing structure is needed is cheaper to draw than an extension where load-bearing walls are relocated, three facades are modified and the municipality requires an extensive explanatory statement.
Context determines the price more than the type. The factors that determine the price are the technical complexity (structural or not), the permit situation (permit-required or permit-free), the number of facades that change, the scope of the drawing work and whether you take extra services such as a 3D visualisation or rush delivery.
A fixed price after the quote. What Tekenpunt does guarantee: once you have described your project and the quote has been drawn up, that price is final. You know in advance what you will pay and there are no additional costs afterwards. This allows you to plan your total budget accurately without uncertain items for drawing work.
How the environmental permit affects the price
Not every renovation requires an environmental permit. Under the Buildings and Living Environment Decree (Bbl), certain small structures are permit-free if they meet specific conditions for location, height and surface area. Tekenpunt assesses at the quote stage whether your renovation requires a permit and explains this clearly.
If an environmental permit is required, that adds an important step: the drawings must meet the submission requirements of the Omgevingsloket and the municipality assesses the plan against the Bbl and the municipal environment plan. In addition to the service for submitting the permit (+€200 incl. VAT) you also pay municipal fees. Those municipal fees are a separate item that you pay directly to the municipality and are not included in Tekenpunt's quote.
The amount of the municipal fees differs per municipality and generally correlates with the construction cost. More information about this can be found in the article Municipal fees and costs.
Tekenpunt delivers the application completely and correctly so that the municipality does not need to send anything back. That saves you not only time but also the risk of additional municipal fee costs on resubmission.
Structural calculation: when is it mandatory and what does that mean for the price?
A structural calculation is a technical substantiation that demonstrates a construction is safe and stable. Municipalities require this for renovations in which the load-bearing structure is modified or subjected to new forces.
In practice this applies to:
- removing a load-bearing internal wall;
- installing a steel or timber beam;
- realising an extension with a new foundation;
- modifying the roof structure for a roof extension.
At Tekenpunt our own structural engineer is part of the permanent team. The calculation therefore matches the drawing work seamlessly, which prevents revisions and extra rounds with the municipality. The structural calculation costs from +€300 incl. VAT on top of the basic drawing work (up to +€2,118 incl. VAT depending on the type).
More about when a structural calculation is mandatory and what exactly is calculated, read on the page When a structural calculation and the service page Structural calculation.
Getting a grip on your total budget: what you want to know in advance
Renovations regularly go over budget on construction costs in practice. That makes it all the more important to lock in the costs for drawings and permits as early as possible. Request a quote early. At Tekenpunt the quote is no-obligation and tailored. You describe your plans and we give you a fixed price in return. You can include this in your total budget before the first pile goes into the ground. Count municipal fees separately. You pay the fees directly to the municipality and they are separate from the drawing quote. Factor them into your budget. Consider which additional services you need. A 3D visualization (from €199 incl. VAT) is not mandatory but prevents expensive corrections on the construction site. If you are in a hurry, rush delivery is possible: +30% for rush (minimum €236 incl. VAT) or +50% for extra rush (minimum €417 incl. VAT), on top of the regular drawing work. And if structural interventions are involved: include the structural calculation (from +€300 incl. VAT, up to +€2,118 incl. VAT depending on the type) in your quote request right away so you do not end up with an unexpected extra item later. Nine out of ten applications pass the aesthetics review in one go. That means no extra round of delays and no additional costs for revising the design. Tekenpunt proactively aligns the design with the aesthetic review criteria of your municipality.
Frequently asked questions
Q01What does a construction drawing for a dormer window cost?
For a dormer, the drawing starts from €379 incl. VAT. A construction drawing starts site-wide from €349 incl. VAT at Tekenpunt. For a rear dormer window the drawings are relatively limited as long as no structural intervention is needed. If the dormer window requires a permit, you will also encounter the environmental permit service (+€200 incl. VAT). The exact price depends on your specific situation. Request a no-obligation quote for a fixed tailored price.
Q02When is a structural calculation needed and what does it cost?
A structural calculation is needed if you remove a load-bearing wall, place a steel or wooden beam, build an extension with new foundations or change the roof structure. Municipalities increasingly require this as part of the permit application. At Tekenpunt a structural calculation costs from +€300 incl. VAT on top of the basic drawing work (up to +€2,118 incl. VAT depending on the type). Our own structural engineer is part of the permanent team so that drawing and calculation are matched.
Q03Are the municipal fees included in the Tekenpunt quote?
No. Municipal fees you pay directly to your municipality and they are a separate item. Municipal fees differ per municipality and are generally linked to the estimated construction cost. Tekenpunt ensures a complete and correct application so you do not risk repeated fee charges due to an incomplete submission.
Q04What does express delivery cost and how quickly are the drawings then ready?
The standard delivery time at Tekenpunt is by arrangement (see your quote). With the rush option the drawings are ready faster (for a surcharge). If you are in a hurry, rush delivery is possible: +30% for rush (minimum €236 incl. VAT) or +50% for extra rush (minimum €417 incl. VAT), on top of the regular drawing work. Handy if a contractor is already booked or if you have a deadline for the permit application.
Q05Why does an extension cost more than a dormer window?
An extension affects multiple elements at once: foundation, existing facade, roof structure and the connection to the existing work. This means more elevations are needed and in many cases a structural calculation is also required. A dormer window is a more self-contained element that modifies fewer parts of the house. The scope and complexity of the drawing work determine the price, not a fixed rate per type.
Q06Is a 3D visualisation mandatory for the permit?
No. A 3D visualisation is not mandatory for the environmental permit application. It is an optional service (from €199 incl. VAT) that helps you assess the design before construction starts. Especially for larger renovations it prevents disappointments afterwards and makes it easier to make adjustments to the design rather than on the construction site.
Q07How do I know in advance what my renovation will cost in drawing work?
Request a no-obligation quote from Tekenpunt. You describe your plans and receive a fixed custom price. That price is definitive: no post-calculation afterwards and no hidden costs. Add to that the municipal fees you pay directly to the municipality. This gives you a complete picture of the costs for drawing work and permits in advance.
Q08Does a roof structure always require a structural calculation?
In almost all cases, yes. For a roof extension the existing roof is largely replaced and the load-bearing structure has to handle the new load. Municipalities require structural substantiation for this as part of the permit application. At Tekenpunt the structural calculation is part of the standard offering and our own structural engineer prepares the calculation.
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