Shifting the ridge sideways or towards the rear makes the roof asymmetrical and creates significantly more headroom on one side. Not to be confused with ridge raising, which lifts the ridge upward. We draw the permit-ready construction from €1.295, including aesthetic review advice.
A ridge relocation shifts the roof ridge sideways or towards the rear, making the roof asymmetric and significantly increasing headroom on one side. A permit-ready drawing costs from €1,295 and we deliver within 4 weeks (express 1-2 weeks). A building permit is always required, with an 8-week municipal decision period.
The result: one side of the roof becomes steeper and longer, the other shallower and shorter. This yields significant space gain on the upper floor on the steep side.
Ridge relocation: the ridge shifts sideways or to the rear. The roof becomes asymmetric (one side steeper, one side shallower). The ridge height stays the same or changes minimally. Result: more space on one specific side.
Ridge raising: the ridge goes straight up. The roof retains its symmetrical or existing shape but becomes higher, creating standing height on both sides. Two fundamentally different interventions.
These are the structural elements we draw for a ridge relocation.
The ridge shifts sideways or backwards. The new position determines the ratio between the two roof slopes and how much space you gain.
With an asymmetric roof the lengths and angles of all rafters and purlins change. This requires a structural calculation for the new load distribution.
The steeper roof plane (towards the new ridge position) provides extra height and usable floor area. The shallower opposing plane becomes smaller.
The gable end on the side towards which the ridge moves becomes higher. We draw the new facade connection including brickwork and insulation.
Both roof planes are re-covered. With an asymmetric roof pitch the gutter line can also shift position, which is recorded precisely in the drawing.
The purlin on the existing wall plate is retained as the connection point. We map the existing situation before drawing the new structure.
A ridge relocation always changes the silhouette of the home. This makes it a building activity that requires a permit. Four questions determine how involved the process will be.
A ridge relocation changes the silhouette and roof shape of the property. This is always a permit-required building activity, even for a minor shift. The aesthetic review assesses how the new asymmetric roof fits the street and the type of property. We provide the drawing, structural calculation and building permit application as one package.
Indicative calculator. The drawing is a fixed price; construction is carried out separately by a contractor. All prices quoted are exclusive of VAT.
* We provide the design and (if desired) permit and structural work. The construction is carried out separately by a contractor or roofer. Build costs are a rough estimate based on gained m²; request a quote for your specific situation.
From a minor lateral shift to a combination with a roof extension. We advise on what yields the most and what is realistic for aesthetic review.
The ridge shifts 30 to 60 cm towards one side wall. A subtle intervention, 10-15 m² of extra space, relatively straightforward construction. The most popular option for a mid-terrace or corner house.
The ridge shifts more than 100 cm, making the roof fully asymmetric. Maximum space gain on one floor, a more distinctive silhouette, a more demanding aesthetic review process.
Combine an asymmetric roof with a roof extension on the shorter side. Maximum space gain on the upper floor, but also the most complex and costly process. One drawing, one permit.
Unsure between ridge relocation and a related concept? These are the four most compared options, honestly side by side.
Ridge relocation always requires a building permit. The strictness of the aesthetic review varies by municipality and area type. A few typical scenarios.
Example project · mid-terrace house from 1938 · ridge 80 cm sideways · space gain upper floor
Challenge: A family in Haarlem had barely any usable space on the upper floor of their mid-terrace house due to low knee walls on both sides. They considered a ridge raising, but this would affect the symmetry of the 1930s street row and was discouraged by the municipality.
Our approach: We recommended a ridge relocation of 80 cm towards the bedroom side. This makes the rear roof slope steeper and longer, while the street-facing side remains virtually unchanged. The structural calculation for the new purlins and rafters was part of our package. The municipality approved the design in one round.
Result: 18 m² of extra usable floor area on the upper floor, space for two bedrooms with full headroom. Drawing in 4 weeks, permit granted after 8 weeks, construction completed in 6 weeks by a local contractor.
What you still need to know about a ridge relocation before you make the decision.
With a ridge relocation all rafters, purlins and roof beams change in length and pitch. A structural calculation is almost always required for the permit and ensures that the load is correctly distributed across the walls.
REQUIRED · NEN 6702 / EUROCODE 5Every ridge relocation is subject to aesthetic review. We design the asymmetric roof so it connects with the existing architecture of the street. In regular neighbourhoods, 80% pass aesthetic review in one round.
SOURCE · ENVIRONMENT ACT / WRO 2024A ridge relocation that adds extra usable floor area increases the assessed value. The added value can be co-financed through a renovation mortgage (up to 106% of the post-renovation value).
BRON · NHG.NL 2026These are two very different interventions. With ridge raising the ridge goes straight up: the roof becomes higher but retains the same symmetrical form and the facade lines on both sides rise with it. With ridge relocation the ridge shifts sideways or to the rear: the roof becomes asymmetrical, with one steeper and one shallower roof plane. This yields a gain in usable space on one specific side. We advise which variant suits your situation and which design has a good chance of passing the aesthetic review.
Yes, always. A ridge relocation visibly changes the roof shape and silhouette of the property. This is a building activity for which a building permit plus aesthetic review is mandatory, even if the change is minor. Because the purlins and rafters also need to be recalculated, a structural calculation is almost always required.
It depends on how far the ridge is relocated. With a limited lateral shift (30-60 cm) you typically gain 10-15 m² of usable floor area on the upper floor. With a larger shift this can increase to 20-30 m². We calculate this during the sketch phase based on your roof structure and house width.
A permit-ready drawing for a ridge relocation starts from €1,295, depending on the situation and property type. Construction itself is carried out separately by a contractor; indicative build costs range between €20,000 and €60,000, depending on the relocation distance and roof type.
We deliver the drawing within 4 weeks (express 1-2 weeks). If a building permit is required (always the case with a ridge relocation), allow for an 8-week municipal decision period on top of the drawing phase. Total lead time for drawing plus permit is therefore approximately 12 weeks.
Yes. We draw ridge relocations across the Netherlands. We handle the drawings and the permit procedure remotely; we know the aesthetic policies and municipal guidelines for properties throughout the Randstad and well beyond.
A fixed-price quote within 1 working day. Free advice on the difference from a ridge raising and which variant is realistic for your home. No obligation.