Das Haus wird geladen
Loose or cracked tiles, a rotten wooden deck, water that does not drain away, or a stain on the ceiling below: we renovate terraces from the old covering to the new surface — removal, waterproofing of the terrace slab, tiles on a grit bed or wooden decking. In Zurich, in Lucerne and across Switzerland.
At the site visit our chief engineer records the covering, falls, drains and the connections at door thresholds and the facade. Anything that only shows once the old covering is removed, we report with photos and a price before we continue.
Removal, waterproofing, grit bed, tiles or wooden decking appear as separate items in the fixed-price quote — within 48 hours of the site visit, with labour and materials shown separately.
We work throughout Switzerland. In Zurich and the surrounding area travel is included; in Lucerne and elsewhere it appears as a fixed item, known in advance, in the quote. 5-year warranty from acceptance.
A terrace is more than its covering. Under the tiles or wood lie the bed or the substructure, and beneath them the waterproofing and the terrace slab. If the terrace sits above a living space or a garage, its waterproofing is part of the building envelope: if it leaks, this often first shows as a stain on the ceiling below. That is why we start with the build-up: where does water stand, are the falls right, are the drains clear, how much height is left under the door threshold? This tells us whether a new covering is enough or whether the waterproofing needs renewing. We lay new tiles on a grit bed, for example, and wooden decking on a substructure. Which build-up suits your terrace is something we discuss at the site visit — on request with two options side by side.
In the canton of Zurich, the structural alteration of existing buildings requires a building permit (Baubewilligung) under § 309(1)(a) of the Planning and Building Act (Planungs- und Baugesetz, PBG), as do significant changes to the terrain and walls and fences (letters f and h). Replacing the covering and waterproofing of an existing terrace is not expressly mentioned in either the PBG or the Building Procedure Ordinance (Bauverfahrensverordnung, BVV); according to the City of Zurich, whether a repair needs a permit depends ‘heavily on its scope’. Under § 1 BVV, exempt in building zones are, among other things, changes to the terrain that are not connected with other works requiring a permit and do not exceed 1.0 m in height or 500 m² in area, and walls and closed fences up to 0.8 m high. Protected buildings must not be impaired even by maintenance work that needs no permit (§ 238(2) PBG). In the canton of Lucerne, non-commercial garden and outdoor features such as paved seating areas (Sitzplatzbefestigungen) do not usually need a building permit (§ 54(2)(g) of the Planning and Building Ordinance, PBV). The municipal building authority makes the binding decision. We clarify your case before work starts and confirm the result in writing.
Five steps — the build-up is clarified before the covering.
Photos of the covering, drains and damaged areas are enough for first contact — in the case of damp, also of the ceiling below.
Our chief engineer measures areas and heights, checks falls, drains, door thresholds and connections and clarifies whether a permit is needed.
Removal, waterproofing, grit bed, tiles or wooden decking as separate items, materials separate; outside the surrounding area with fixed travel costs.
Old covering out, substrate checked and documented with photos, waterproofing of the terrace slab renewed where necessary.
Tiles or wooden decking, connections at thresholds and facade, joint acceptance with a report. 5-year warranty from acceptance.
We charge per m² of labour, excluding VAT, at our unit prices: removing tiles CHF 32 to 40, bitumen waterproofing CHF 38, grit bed CHF 18, laying floor tiles CHF 68 to 95. For wooden decking: substructure CHF 45 and laying wooden deck boards CHF 55 per m². Tiles, deck boards, waterproofing membranes and other materials come on top, as does disposal. Example for a 20 m² tiled terrace with new waterproofing: removing tiles CHF 640 to 800, bitumen waterproofing CHF 760, grit bed CHF 360, new tiles CHF 1'360 to 1'900 — CHF 3'120 to 3'820 for the labour in total. In Zurich and the surrounding area travel is included; in Lucerne and elsewhere it appears as a fixed item in the quote. Guide prices for the individual tasks:
What we are asked most often before a terrace renovation.
That depends on the build-up. Our unit prices for the labour: removing tiles CHF 32 to 40, bitumen waterproofing CHF 38, grit bed CHF 18 and floor tiles CHF 68 to 95 per m². For a 20 m² tiled terrace with new waterproofing, that comes to CHF 3'120 to 3'820 for the labour, excluding VAT; materials and disposal come on top.
We charge CHF 45 per m² for the substructure and CHF 55 per m² for laying the deck boards, labour only. 20 m² of wooden decking therefore costs CHF 2'000 for the labour, excluding VAT. Wood, fixings and other materials come on top, as does removing an old covering.
No. If the waterproofing is intact and no water gets through, a new covering may be enough. If stains appear on the ceiling below, water stands on the terrace or the waterproofing is damaged during removal, it needs renewing. Anything that only shows after removal, we document with photos and send a supplement with a price — nothing is carried out until you approve it.
Yes. We work throughout Switzerland, including Lucerne and its surrounding area. It is about 50 minutes from our base in Zurich-Altstetten; travel appears as a fixed item, known in advance, in the quote. There we work in continuous blocks rather than many short visits. As in Zurich, you receive the fixed-price quote within 48 hours of the site visit.
Replacing the covering and waterproofing of an existing terrace is not expressly mentioned in the PBG or the BVV in the canton of Zurich; the City of Zurich says that for repairs it depends heavily on the scope. Structural alterations to the building, significant changes to the terrain, and walls and fences require a permit (§ 309(1) PBG). In the canton of Lucerne, paved seating areas for non-commercial use do not usually need a building permit (§ 54(2)(g) PBV). The building authority makes the binding decision; we clarify it before work starts.
Waterproofing and coverings outdoors need dry weather and the temperatures specified by the material manufacturers; no waterproofing is done in rain or frost. That is why we set the date with you after the site visit.
Choose an area, choose a service, move the slider — you see the guide price for the labour straight away. Materials and VAT come on top; the fixed-price quote is binding.
CHF 18–25 per m²
Two coats, covering included (paint as materials extra)
Unit prices for the labour from our 2026 price list (lower price segment), excl. VAT. The higher figure applies in difficult conditions. Materials, disposal of strip-out material, crane, scaffolding and permits come on top. The guide price does not replace a site visit.
The consultation is free. You get a confirmation straight away, and we call you back within one hour (Mon–Fri 08:00–18:00).
