Apply for grants, loans or tax benefits
In order to reliably protect buildings from wind and weather, roof renovation is due every 30 to 50 years. It is worthwhile insulating the roof even beforehand. Because in this way the heat losses sink. Heating costs are lower and living comfort increases. The special thing about it: In combination with insulation work, homeowners get an attractive subsidy for roof renovation. We explain how much this amounts to, what requirements must be met and how to apply for financial assistance in the following sections.
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For which measures are there subsidies from the state?
Subsidies for roof renovation are always available when renovators install thermal insulation and thus improve thermal protection. If the roof insulation meets the minimum technical requirements of the funding bodies (U-value of the roof surfaces min. 0.14 W/m²K), there are grants, loans as well as tax concessions also for many ancillary works. For example, the state subsidizes the following work in the course of roof renovation:
- Rafter insulation,
- Intermediate rafter insulation
- Under-rafter insulation
- Blow-in Insulation
- Flat roof insulation
- Preservation or creation of a green roof
- Demolition work as well as the replacement of the roof structure
- Doubling up or reinforcing the rafters
- Replacement or extension of the roof truss
- Increasing the roof overhang
- Installation of skylights, hatches and domes
- Renewal or construction of dormers
- Measures for sound insulation and thermal bridge reduction
- Replacement of roof tiles and new roofing of pitched and flat roofs
- Retrofitting continuous tiles and snow guards
- Renewal of gutters, downpipes and inlet plates as well as necessary work on antennas, satellite dishes, electrical systems or lightning rods
- Work on the chimney head (reflashing, covering and cladding)
- Preservation and the creation of nesting sites for building nesting birds
But even without insulation work, renovators get a subsidy for roof renovation. An example of this is asbestos abatement.
Various offers to promote roof renovation
In addition to the cost of asbestos abatement, which is tax-deductible as an extraordinary expense, there are a number of other subsidy options for roof insulation and abatement. The federal subsidy for efficient buildings for individual measures (BEG EM) is particularly attractive, offering the prospect of grants as well as loans with repayment subsidies of 20 percent. If an individual renovation roadmap (iSFP) proposes the work, the roof renovation subsidy increases by another 5 percentage points.
Important to know: BEG subsidy loans for roof renovation are not available until July 2021. Until then, renovators can still obtain subsidies via Program 152 of the Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW). Available here are low-interest loans with repayment subsidies of 20 percent.
As an alternative to the BEG subsidy, owners of owner-occupied houses can also claim a high tax bonus for roof refurbishment. In this way, 20 percent of the costs incurred can be claimed against tax over a period of three years.
Those who do not meet the minimum technical requirements of the funding agencies also receive a tax bonus. In this case, 20 percent of the incurred craftsmen's costs can be claimed for tax purposes. The total subsidy for roof renovation is limited to 1.200 euros per year limited.
The KFW program 270 offers another funding alternative. Low-interest loans are available for the installation of a photovoltaic system, which can also be used for roof renovations.
Subsidy program for roof renovation
| BEG-EM grant | 20 percent subsidy (maximum 60.000 euros of eligible costs per residential unit) |
+ 5 percent extra with individual renovation schedule
+ 5 percent extra with individual renovation roadmap
Determine funding paths before starting renovation
When it comes to subsidies for roof renovation, homeowners must decide on a subsidy path even before construction begins. Because double subsidies are generally not permitted. The highest subsidies are promised by the federal subsidy for efficient buildings, for which, however, energy consultant costs are incurred. Those wishing to bypass these can use the tax bonus for renovations. Since this is available after the fact, it is also a good alternative for anyone who missed the application deadline for BEG funding.
Renovators can get individual support from an energy consultant, who will take a close look at the building in advance. It shows potential savings and points to suitable subsidies. If the expert also prepares an individual renovation roadmap, the BEG subsidy for roof renovation also increases by 5 percent. Since the government covers 80 percent of the consultant costs with the energy consulting subsidy, the expenses are comparatively low.
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Find out about current subsidies for roof renovation and find the most attractive programs – it's easy with our subsidy information service. Start free subsidy information |
Apply for subsidies for roof renovation: Procedure
In order for renovators to receive financial support, they must apply for the subsidy offers correctly and, above all, in good time. While this is always done before the work begins in the case of BEG and KfW funds, the tax bonuses can also be claimed retrospectively. The following table shows how homeowners apply for roof renovation subsidies.
Apply for subsidy BEG subsidy (grant/loan) KfW 152 "Energy-efficient renovation" KfW 270 "Renewable energies" Tax bonus for renovation Tax bonus for craftsmen
| Timing | Before awarding the contract | Before starting the renovation | after completion of the renovation | ||
| Step 1: | Obtain a quote for roof renovation | ||||
| Step 2: | Obtain confirmation (TPB) from the energy consultant | Obtain confirmation (BzA) from energy consultant | Apply for funds through your local bank | Hire craftsmen | |
| Step 3: | Apply for funds via BAFA website (grant) or a house bank (loan) | Apply for funds via the house bank | Hire a tradesman | Have a specialist contractor's declaration issued | Material and wage costs in the calculation to show let |
| Step 4: | Hire a tradesman | – | Include costs in tax return | ||
| Step 5: | Obtain proof (TPN) from energy consultant | Submit invoices and receive funding | – | – | – |
| Step 6: | Submit proof and receive funding | – | – | – | – |
Examine further remediation measures
With roof insulation the heat demand of the building decreases and the heating gets less to do. To ensure that the system still works efficiently, it should be optimally adjusted to the new conditions. Essentially, this involves hydraulic balancing and adjusting the heating curve. It is not seldom worthwhile to replace the heating system completely, because it is already very old or significantly oversized. Renovators can find out whether it pays off quickly and easily with our free renovation calculator. Here you can run through various reorganization measures and query costs and savings.