What do I need to consider for a roof renovation?
In Berlin there is neither an elevator nor a parking space obligation, unlike many other German states. This is a major help for developers with elevators costing upwards of €80,000 to build, with an increased electricity and maintenance cost over the lifetime of the building. However, elevators do add an inherent value to the building and justify higher rental rates, for existing and new tenants. For example, a luxury apartment on the 6th floor of a building, without an elevator, would not be able to justify a typical market rate price. Elevators also can take up a significant amount of space within stairwells and the inner courtyard of a building. It is important to consider all the potential effects of installing vs not installing an elevator before making your decision.
There is a height requirement for renovated attic apartments, which will determine how much of the existing roof structure can be used and how much must be replaced. Common rooms under the roof must be at least 2.3 meters high, over at least half the floor area. This for example could mean that the height of a roof must be increased at the back of a building and a new beam be installed. However, this varies for each apartment and can only be calculated after a detailed survey.
A 2nd escape route must also be provided in accordance with the building codes. Thankfully this doesn’t mean an entirely new stairwell, but rather a window that can be easily reached by a fireman’s ladder from the street below. We will integrate all of these requirements during our initial design stage of your project.
Another aspect to consider is whether construction work should be limited to the attic or would it be beneficial to do a wholesale modernization of the building?