VerbouwPro Blog
Tips, advice and inspiration for your renovation. Written by our editorial team.
Regulations
Permits, VAT, guarantees, liability and what the law expects from you and your building contractor.
Fitting a roof window: permit-free, leaks and what the carpenter does
More daylight and fresh air in the attic without a dormer: a roof window is often the simplest solution. Which type suits your roof, when is a roof window or rooflight permit-free, including at the front, what changes for a listed building or in a VvE (owners' association), how does the carpenter deal with rafters and purlins, why does a roof window leak and which VAT rate applies?
Permit-free rear extension: the rules for the back garden
An extension at the back of the home is in many cases permit-free, but only if you stay within fixed dimensions: the depth from the original rear facade, the height and the percentage of the plot you may build on. Under the Omgevingswet, those dimensions are in the bruidsschat (the transitional national rules) of your municipality's omgevingsplan, alongside the technical building requirements of the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving. This article explains how the two tests work, which dimensions apply, what neighbour law says, which technical building requirements always remain and who to hire for the work.
Paying a deposit to your contractor: what is normal and how do you pay safely in instalments?
"Thirty per cent on signing, before Monday please": many renovations start with a request for a deposit. It is not compulsory. What the law does and does not say, which instalment arrangement is common in the industry, why the 5% rule only applies to new builds, how a deposit with a notary or a bank guarantee works, what an invoice must contain and which signs suggest you had better not pay in advance.
Contractor goes bankrupt during the renovation: what now?
The building site has gone quiet, nobody answers the phone any more and the insolvency register lists your contractor as bankrupt. What happens now to your contract, to the instalments you have already paid and to the materials lying on your driveway? Step by step: the curator and Article 37 of the Faillissementswet (Dutch Bankruptcy Act), your claim as an unsecured creditor, subcontractors knocking on your door, the guarantee of a quality mark, your insurance, restarting with a new contractor and how to keep this risk small on your next renovation.
Felling a tree in your garden: when do you need a felling permit?
Whether you may fell a tree in your own garden is decided by your municipality: the rules are set out in the omgevingsplan (municipal environment plan) and differ from place to place, usually with a threshold for trunk girth and a list of protected trees. On top of that come the bird breeding season and the protection of animals, neighbour law on branches and distance from the boundary, and your duty of care as owner in the event of storm damage. When to apply for a permit, when pruning is enough and when to bring in a tree surgeon.
CO alarms and boiler servicing: what is mandatory and what is sensible?
Smoke alarms have been mandatory on every floor since 1 July 2022, a carbon monoxide alarm is not, and there is no legal obligation to have your central heating boiler serviced every year. What the law does regulate: who may work on your boiler, gas water heater or gas fire. Since 1 April 2023 only a CO-vrij (CO-free) certified company may do so. What exactly the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving prescribes, where to hang a CO alarm according to the fire service, how to recognise carbon monoxide poisoning, how to check whether your installer is in the register and why an open-flued gas water heater needs extra attention.
Installing a dormer: permit-free or permit required?
A dormer at the rear is permit-free in many cases, a dormer at the front almost never. Under the Omgevingswet (Environment and Planning Act) national dimensions apply that take precedence over your municipality's omgevingsplan (local environmental plan); at the front the municipality decides and the welstand (design review) has a say. Which dimensions apply, how the permit check and the application work, what neighbour law and the VvE say, which insulation and ventilation requirements the Bbl sets and whether to choose prefab or traditional.
Can I install a gas pipe or central heating boiler myself? What the law says
Hanging a central heating boiler, rerouting a gas pipe or connecting a cooker: handy DIYers soon start thinking about it. Since 1 April 2023, work on gas-burning appliances and their flue has been legally reserved for CO-vrij (CO-free) certified companies, and the client is also liable to penalties if they ignore this. What you may and may not do yourself, where the grid operator's territory begins, what your insurer and a buyer think of it, and how to find a certified installer or come off gas altogether.
Putting up a fence or boundary partition: rules, height and neighbour law
A fence of up to one metre is permit-free everywhere; behind the front facade a boundary partition of two metres is allowed, but your municipality can deviate from that. On top of that, neighbour law determines who can demand that a partition be put up, who owns a fence on the boundary and who pays for maintenance. How to be certain of the property boundary, which material lasts a long time and how to put your agreements with the neighbours on record.
9% or 21% VAT when renovating: what falls under the low rate?
On most renovations the contractor charges 21% VAT, but for painting, plastering, wallpapering and insulating a home older than two years the low rate of 9% applies. Which work falls under it, where is the line between labour and materials, what should the invoice look like and what applies to solar panels and a VvE (owners' association)?
Spotting asbestos when renovating: rules and steps
Homes built before 1994 often contain asbestos in corrugated sheets, window sills, sealant, sheet flooring and roof boarding. Where it is found, why you cannot identify it with certainty, when an asbestos survey is mandatory, what you may remove yourself and what to do if you come across it during the renovation.
Removing a load-bearing wall: rules, risks and step-by-step plan
An open-plan kitchen or a larger living room often starts with a wall that has to go. Here is how to recognise a load-bearing wall, why a structural engineer is indispensable, which rules apply under the Omgevingswet and in what order the work is done.
Guarantees after a renovation: how long, on what and from whom?
A leaking roof two years after handover, a tiled floor coming loose, a central heating boiler giving up: who pays? The law gives you more protection than most guarantee certificates, but it does have time limits and rules. What the Dutch Civil Code provides, what a contractual guarantee and a manufacturer’s warranty add, which periods are common in the industry and what a guarantee scheme does if the contractor goes bankrupt.
Can I do my own electrical work: consumer unit, NEN 1010 and inspection
Adding a socket yourself, adding a circuit or replacing the consumer unit: what is a private individual allowed to do in the Netherlands, where does the domain of the grid operator and the accredited installer begin, what does NEN 1010 say, what about your insurance and when should you have an inspection done?
Additional work in a renovation: the rules, prevention and what you can refuse
A final invoice that turns out much higher than the quote is the most common source of conflict in a renovation. What does the law say about additional work, when may a contractor charge extra, how do provisional sums and a contingency item work, how do you record additional work and what do you do about an unexpected bill?
Renovating a flat with a VvE: permission, rules and steps
In a flat you never renovate alone. Which parts are yours and which belong to the Vereniging van Eigenaars (owners' association), what do you need the meeting's permission for, how do you apply for it, what requirements does the VvE set for your contractor and what can you do if the VvE refuses.
When do you need a permit for a renovation
Dormer, extension, load-bearing wall or solar panels: when is a renovation permit-free and when do you need an omgevingsvergunning (environmental permit) or a notification? The rules under the Omgevingswet (Environment and Planning Act), the permit check, processing times and the risks of building without a permit, all in one place.
Wet kwaliteitsborging: what the Wkb means for your renovation
The Dutch Quality Assurance for Building Act changes who inspects your building work and how long the contractor remains liable. What the Wkb is, what a quality assurer does, what the consumer file is and what to ask your contractor.
Costs
What a job costs, how a quote is put together and what to look out for when comparing.
Planning
Preparation, lead times and the order of work in a renovation.
Financing a renovation: construction deposit, renovation mortgage or savings — how it works
Your own money, increasing your mortgage, a second mortgage, a personal loan or the Energiebespaarlening (energy-saving loan) from the Nationaal Warmtefonds: every route for paying for a renovation has its own mechanics. This article explains how a bouwdepot (construction deposit) works, what a valuation based on "value after renovation" involves, how extra borrowing capacity for sustainability measures is built up, what the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Administration) broadly requires for mortgage interest relief, which documents a lender asks for and how to match the contractor's payment instalments to the payouts. No interest rates, amounts or advice: only how it works.
How to prepare for a renovation: a step-by-step plan from budget to handover
Good preparation saves time, money and stress. From budget and permit check to neighbours, insurance and the handover report: this is what to arrange before the first hammer falls.
How long does a renovation take: timelines per job
From half a day for a new central heating boiler to a quarter of a year for an extension: how long do the most common jobs take, why do schedules overrun and what can you do yourself to keep the timeline short? With an overview table per job.
Home maintenance calendar: what to have checked each season
Small maintenance at the right moment prevents major repairs. Season by season, what you check yourself and what you leave to a tradesperson: roof and gutters, central heating boiler, window frames and paintwork, sealant, ventilation, electrics, drains, pointing and glass, plus the warning signs that cannot wait.
Advice
Choosing the right tradesperson, making agreements and avoiding problems during the work.
Quality marks in construction explained: BouwGarant, Woningborg, SWK, Techniek Nederland, KOMO, VCA, Erkend Installateur
Logos on the van, the website and the quote: BouwGarant, Woningborg, SWK, Techniek Nederland, KOMO, VCA, Erkend Installateur. But who awards such a quality mark, what has been assessed and what concrete use is it to you if something goes wrong? For each quality mark you can read what it gives you, what it specifically does not say and how to check in a register whether a company is genuinely entitled to use it, including the statutory CO certification for gas work.
Recognising and replacing lead water pipes: rules, health and approach
If you live in a house built before 1960, there may still be lead in the water pipes. How to recognise a lead pipe by its colour, a scratch and its sound, what the Gezondheidsraad (Health Council of the Netherlands) advises for children and pregnant women, who is responsible up to and beyond the water meter, what you can demand as a tenant, how to combine the replacement smartly with a renovation and which tradesperson to hire.
Plumber, installer or heating engineer: who do you call for what?
A dripping tap, a central heating boiler showing a fault, a new bathroom, a heat pump or a leaking gutter: who do you call? The boundaries between plumber, installer and heating engineer have blurred, but not disappeared. For each job you can read which tradesperson you need, which work only certified companies may do, when something is a genuine emergency and what to have ready before you call.
Plasterer or spack sprayer? Smooth plaster, spack, decorative plaster and spachtelputz compared
Smooth plaster, spack, decorative plaster or spachtelputz: the four common wall finishes differ in appearance, substrate, drying time, maintenance and in whether they can cope with a bathroom. Which finish suits which room, how does the reduced VAT rate work and when do you call a plasterer, a sprayer or a painter?
Recognising damp and mould at home: the cause per symptom and which tradesperson to call
Black spots in the corner of the bedroom, a white haze on the wall behind the sofa, plaster bubbling above the skirting board: damp in the home has only a handful of causes, but each cause calls for a different tradesperson. How to recognise rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation and leaks by their symptoms, what the GGD says about mould and health, what you can demand as a tenant and which tradesperson to call for each cause.
5 tips for choosing the right contractor, with a checklist and red flags
Finding a good contractor is not always easy. With these five tips, the red flags and a step-by-step plan for when things go wrong, you will know exactly what to look out for.
Contractor, building company or handyman firm: who do you need?
The terms are used interchangeably, but the difference determines who coordinates your renovation, who is liable and what you pay. What do a contractor, a building company and a handyman firm do, when do you hire individual tradespeople, and what role does the Wkb (Dutch Quality Assurance for Building Act) play in larger work?
Leak: which tradesperson to call, a plumber, roofer or heating engineer
A damp patch on the ceiling, water under the boiler or a wet wall after rain: symptom by symptom, find out which tradesperson you need, what to do yourself in the first ten minutes, when it is a genuine emergency and how to report the damage to your insurer.
Comparing quotes: how to read a building quote
Three quotes, three completely different prices. What should a building quote include, how do you compare like with like, and which mistakes do clients make most often? With a checklist.
Handover of your renovation: checklist and your rights
The handover is the moment at which the renovation legally passes from the contractor to you. What does handover mean under the law, how do you draw up a good handover report, how much may you withhold from the final instalment, what about hidden defects, plus a twenty-point checklist per room.
Renovating and the neighbours: rights, duties and good agreements
A renovation always affects the neighbours: noise, dust, construction traffic and sometimes a crack in their wall. What are you allowed to do, what are they allowed to do, what does neighbour law say and how do you keep relations good, from the first announcement to the last skip.
Renovating and insurance: buildings, CAR and liability
A renovation changes your insurance risk. What do you report to your buildings insurer, what does CAR insurance cover and who takes it out, what should you look out for in the liability insurance of contractors and self-employed tradespeople, how do you avoid disputes with the neighbours and what do you do when damage occurs.
What can you do yourself during a renovation, and what is better left alone?
Doing your own demolition, painting and clearing up saves labour hours and gives you a grip on your renovation. But with gas, the meter cupboard, load-bearing walls, asbestos, waterproofing and roofing there is a line: doing it yourself there is prohibited, dangerous or expensive in the aftermath. Which jobs you can safely take on yourself, where the law requires a tradesperson, what your insurer and a future buyer think of it, and how to combine your own work well with a contractor.
How to spot a reliable plumber and avoid emergency call-out fraud
A leak, a quick search online, a call to the first "emergency plumber": that is exactly the moment rogue companies strike. Here is how to spot a reliable plumber, buy yourself time during a leak and what to do if you have already been scammed.
Sustainability
Insulation, energy labels and making your home more sustainable without regrets.
Roof insulation: insulating a pitched roof from inside or outside, or the attic floor, and who does it
An uninsulated pitched roof lets a lot of heat escape, but which approach suits your home? Do you insulate the pitched roof from the inside, from the outside if the tiles are coming off anyway, or only the attic floor? How do you prevent damp with a vapour control layer, which material do you choose, what do Rc and Rd mean, what about asbestos, the ISDE, VAT and the permit, and who carries out the work?
Having cavity wall insulation installed: is your wall suitable, which material, the risks and who does it
Cavity wall insulation is one of the simplest ways to make a home with a cavity wall more energy-efficient and comfortable. But not every cavity is suitable, and a facade with poor pointing can actually develop damp problems after insulation. How to assess whether your wall is suitable, which materials are available, how the work is done, what the risks are and what applies to grants, VAT, the VvE (owners' association), rented homes and listed buildings.
Floor insulation and crawl space ground insulation: is it possible, which material and who does it
A cold ground floor can often be improved quite simply by insulating it from below, from the crawl space. Whether that is possible depends on the height, the access and the moisture in the crawl space. The difference between floor insulation and ground insulation, which materials are available, why ventilation matters so much, what to watch out for with pipes and asbestos, and what applies to subsidies, VAT, the VvE (owners’ association), rented homes and listed buildings.
Having a heat pump installed: hybrid or all-electric, is your home suitable and who does what
A heat pump can take over a large part of your gas consumption, but only if the type suits the home. The difference between a hybrid and an all-electric heat pump, how to assess whether your house is suitable, what to look out for with noise, siting, electrics and refrigerant, what applies to the ISDE subsidy and VAT, and which tradesperson does which part of the work.
HR++ or triple glazing: when does it pay off and what should you look for in window frames?
Single glazing, old double glazing, HR++ or triple: the difference in insulation value is large, but the best choice depends on your window frames. When does new glass fit the existing frame, when does the frame need replacing too, what does better glass mean for ventilation and condensation, how do listed buildings, VAT and ISDE work, and which tradesperson do you call?
Underfloor heating or radiators: what suits your home and your heat source?
Underfloor heating, low-temperature radiators or keeping your existing radiators? The choice depends on your insulation, your floor and above all on the heat source you want to move to: a boiler, a hybrid or a fully electric heat pump. What sets the systems apart, why insulation and hydronic balancing come first and which tradesperson to call.
Sustainable renovation: which subsidies and schemes are available
Insulation, a heat pump or solar panels: the government contributes via the ISDE, municipal subsidies, the Energiebespaarlening (energy-saving loan) and lower VAT. How the schemes work, which conditions you must meet and in which order to take measures so that you do not miss out on a subsidy.
Improving your energy label: which measures really count
A better energy label lowers your energy bill, raises the value of your home and is becoming a requirement for landlords. How is the label determined, which measures make the biggest difference, in what order should you tackle them and what does an energy adviser do for you.
Maintenance
Blocked drain or sewer: the cause, unblocking it yourself and who does it (and pays)
The kitchen sink no longer drains, the toilet gurgles or water comes up in the shower. How to tell where the blockage is, what you can safely try yourself, when to call a plumber or drain unblocking company, who is responsible for the sewer (you, the landlord or the municipality) and how to avoid rogue emergency services.
Having interior walls and ceilings painted: preparation, paint and what the painter does
Having a room repainted seems simple, but the result stands or falls with the preparation and the right paint. When should you leave the work to a painter, how is the surface prepared, what is the difference between latex and acrylic, matt and satin, and what should you watch out for in the bathroom, with old spray texture on the ceiling and with interior woodwork? With an explanation of ventilation, planning, the VAT rate and what belongs in the quote.
Replacing your central heating boiler: when is it needed, HR boiler or hybrid, and what does the installer do?
Your central heating boiler is getting on, breaks down more often or the engineer warns that parts are hard to get. When is replacement sensible, can you still simply buy a new HR boiler, when is a hybrid heat pump alongside the boiler a good choice, how does the ISDE subsidy work, who is allowed to do the work and what should the installer check and put in the quote?
Mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (wtw): maintenance, replacement and who does it
Your ventilation unit is humming, the filters of your heat recovery unit have not been changed for ages, or you have just insulated and wonder whether your ventilation is still adequate. Which ventilation system do you have, when is a unit due for replacement, how often should filters, vents and ducts be cleaned, what do the rules say, when does ventilation qualify for the ISDE subsidy and what does a good installer do?
Renovating a tiled roof: replacing roof tiles, insulating and what the roofer does
Slipped tiles, a loose ridge, moss or a damp patch in the attic: a pitched tiled roof usually shows well in advance that it needs attention. When is a repair enough and when do the tiles come off, how do you insulate from outside or inside, what does the Bbl require, what about birds, asbestos, the permit, the VvE and rented homes, and what belongs in the roofer’s quote?
Exterior painting: when to paint, what weather and what the painter does
Exterior paintwork protects wooden window frames, doors and fascia boards against moisture and wood rot, but only if it is done on time and under the right conditions. Which signs show that the paintwork is due, how often you need to paint, in what weather a painter will and will not get to work and which steps characterise good paintwork. With attention to lead in old paint, scaffolding, the VvE (owners’ association), maintenance contracts and what belongs in a quote.
Cleaning or replacing gutters: blockages, leaks and who does it
A blocked or leaking gutter sends rainwater down the facade and can cause damp in the walls. Which types of gutter there are, from zinc hanging gutters to box gutters, how to recognise a blockage, how often cleaning makes sense, when soldering is enough and when the gutter needs replacing, and who is responsible in a VvE (owners’ association), a rented home or with a gutter you share with the neighbours.
Replacing glass: HR++ or triple glazing, condensation between the panes and what the glazier does
Condensation between the panes, a crack or still single glazing: there are many reasons to have the glass in your existing frames replaced. What does condensation on the inside, outside or between the panes mean, can your frame carry thicker and heavier glass, when should you choose safety glass or sound-insulating glass, what applies to listed buildings and the ISDE subsidy, and how does a glazier go about the work? With attention to ventilation, the VvE (owners' association) and rented homes.
Sanding, lacquering or oiling a wooden floor: when, with what and what the floor layer does
A worn wooden floor usually does not have to come out: solid parquet, floorboards and engineered wood flooring can be sanded and refinished. When is sanding necessary and when is a new top coat enough, how often can an engineered floor go under the sanding machine, and what is the difference between lacquer, oil and hardwax oil? With attention to wood dust, the rules for solvents, drying times, underfloor heating, asbestos in old adhesive, listed buildings and the quote.
Repairing wood rot in window frames and exterior woodwork: cause, repair and who does it
Soft wood in the bottom sill, flaking paint on the corner of a frame or a fascia board falling apart: wood rot starts small and gets bigger as long as water can get in. How it develops, how to detect it, when a wood rot filler is enough and when an insert or a new sill is needed, how it differs from dry rot, who does the repair, and what applies to a listed building, a VvE (owners' association) or a rented home.
Replacing a flat roof: bitumen, EPDM or PVC, insulation and what the roofer does
Blisters, cracks, puddles or a leak: a flat roof usually gives signals well in advance. When is a repair enough and when does the whole roof need renewing, what are the differences between bitumen, EPDM and PVC or TPO, what does the Bbl require for insulation when you renew the roof, what about fire-safe working, asbestos, the permit and the VvE, and what should be in the roofer's quote?
Having your windows cleaned: how often, safety at height and what the window cleaner does
How often your windows need cleaning depends on where you live: on a busy road, by the sea or in a new-build area, windows get dirty faster. What a window cleaner does exactly, from applicator and squeegee to a telescopic pole with osmosis water and an aerial work platform, what a clean includes, why working at height is so tightly regulated, and who pays for the outside in an apartment or rented home.
Repairing pointing and cleaning a façade: when is it needed and what does the bricklayer do?
Pointing lasts for decades, but weathered or worn joints let moisture into the wall and eventually damage the bricks too. How to tell whether the pointing needs replacing, when it is urgent and when it is cosmetic, and which steps a bricklayer takes when raking out, repointing and cleaning a façade. With attention to choice of mortar, impregnation, cavity wall ties, listed buildings and what belongs in the quote.
Having solar panels cleaned: how often it is needed, the risks and who does it
On a pitched roof the rain usually washes solar panels clean by itself, but panels that lie flat, sit under trees or attract a lot of birds do need cleaning. How to tell from the inverter app that something is wrong, why pressure washers and cleaning products damage the coating, why the roof is no place for private individuals and what a window cleaner or installer also checks during a visit.
Renovating
Renovating or replacing your stairs: rules, safety and what the carpenter does
A worn, creaking or steep staircase can be spruced up with stair overlays, paint or a new handrail, or replaced entirely. When is renovating enough, what does the Bbl require of the rise, going, headroom, handrail and balustrade, what does a winding staircase or a relocated stairwell opening mean, and what about a listed building, the VvE, a rented home and the quote?
Renovating a bathroom: step-by-step plan, waterproofing and who does what
A bathroom renovation is a small space with a lot of tradespeople: demolition worker, plumber, electrician, plasterer, tiler and sealant specialist work one after the other and sometimes alongside each other. The order is decisive, and the step that almost nobody sees, the waterproofing under the tiles, is the step where most leaks start. This step-by-step plan takes the renovation from planning to handover and explains for each step who does the work, which rules apply to ventilation and electrics, and what you record in the quote.
Replacing or extending your consumer unit: when is it necessary and what does the electrician do?
A fuse box with fuse wire cartridges, a single residual current device for the whole home or no room for an extra circuit: then your consumer unit is due for replacement or extension. Induction cooking, a heat pump, a charging point and solar panels often also call for a heavier or three-phase connection. What the warning signs are, what NEN 1010 requires of a new unit, what the grid operator does and how the electrician goes about it step by step.
Having a kitchen fitted: the order, the connections and who does what
Fitting a new kitchen is more than hanging cabinets. A carpenter, a plumber and an electrician are all involved, and the order of the work determines whether everything fits first time. What the steps are, what you need for induction and the cooker hood, what happens to the gas pipe, who does what, which VAT rate applies and what to arrange regarding deposits, warranty, the VvE (owners’ association) and renting.
Having a ceiling plastered or sprayed: old sprayed finishes, asbestos and what the plasterer does
A yellowed textured ceiling, cracks along the joints of concrete slabs or a ceiling that simply needs to look crisper: there are four common ways to renew a ceiling. What is the difference between smooth plaster, spack, a suspended ceiling and a plasterboard ceiling, what applies to old sprayed finishes that may contain asbestos, and how do you coordinate spotlights, the bathroom and the VvE (owners’ association) with the plasterer?
Having a garden landscaped: design, paving, drainage and what the landscaper does
A new garden starts with a design and ends with planting, but in between lies the work you will never see again: groundwork, drainage, cables and pipes, and the foundation of the paving. The order in which a landscaper works, why falls and rainwater matter so much, when a KLIC notification is mandatory, what neighbour law says about trees and hedges near the boundary and what belongs in a good quote.
Having floor tiles laid: large formats, subfloor, underfloor heating and what the tiler does
A tiled floor in the living room, kitchen or hallway lasts for decades, provided the subfloor is right. What is the difference between ceramic, porcelain and natural stone, why do large formats need a flatter floor, what needs to happen with an anhydrite screed or underfloor heating, what do the slip-resistance classes mean, and can tiles go on a wooden floor or in a flat? With attention to asbestos in old floors, the quote and maintenance.
Having solar panels installed: roof, permit, inverter and who does what
Solar panels on a home need no permit in most cases, but the roof must be suitable, the consumer unit must be able to cope and the installation must be registered with the grid operator. How to assess whether your roof is suitable, what the rules are for listed buildings and VvEs (owners' associations), which inverter suits you, how the net metering scheme is changing and who does what: installer, electrician and roofer.
Replacing window frames: wood, uPVC or aluminium, and when you need a permit
Replacing window frames is often permit-free, but not always: if you deviate from the existing material, profile or layout in the front facade, or live in a listed building or a protected townscape, you will have to deal with the municipality. In addition, the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (the Dutch Building Decree) sets requirements for the insulation, ventilation and safety of new frames. This article sets out the rules, compares wood, uPVC, aluminium and wood-aluminium and explains how a carpenter or window frame specialist goes about the work.
Choosing a new floor: PVC, laminate, parquet or poured floor, and what the floor fitter needs from you
You choose a new floor on looks, but whether it stays beautiful for years depends on the underlay, the moisture in the screed, the underfloor heating and the way it is laid. This article compares PVC, laminate, parquet, poured floors and briefly also tiles, carpet and Marmoleum, explains what levelling, acclimatising and expansion gaps mean and what the VvE (owners’ association) says about noise. And it describes what a floor fitter needs from you to get the job right first time.
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