Renovation of your home in Aarhus.
Aarhus is Denmark's second-largest city with 373,000 residents and one of Europe's fastest-growing cities. The university city on Aarhus Bay combines metropolitan energy with a human scale. The housing market is under pressure — prices are approaching Copenhagen levels in popular neighbourhoods, making well-executed renovations highly profitable.
Aarhus in brief — context for your renovation.
location_cityA growing city with rising property prices
Aarhus attracts students, skilled workers and international companies. A housing shortage is pushing prices up — especially in Aarhus C, Trøjborg, Frederiksbjerg and Højbjerg. Renovation investments are highly profitable here.
apartmentApartments dominate
57% of homes are apartments — mainly in Aarhus city. Detached houses (21%) dominate the satellite towns of Mårslet, Beder, Lystrup and Trige. There is a significant difference between the inner and outer market.
trainLight rail and infrastructure
The Aarhus Light Rail connects the city centre to suburbs and increases the appeal of neighbourhoods along the route. Proximity to the light rail significantly boosts property values and makes energy renovation even more worthwhile.
Your housing type.
Apartment building from 1900–1970
57% of homes in Aarhus — approx. 105,042 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Apartments dominate Aarhus city — from historic brick buildings in the city centre to post-war housing blocks in Gellerup and Herredsvang. Prices vary enormously: from 30,000 kr/m² in the centre to 10,000 kr/m² in peripheral neighbourhoods. Renovations in the centre and popular districts are highly profitable.
What's typical?
- — 3–6 storeys in brick or concrete
- — District heating from Kredsløb A/S
- — Shared basement and stairwell
- — Many with rooftop terrace potential
Common weaknesses
- — Outdated plumbing and riser pipes in older buildings
- — Insufficient façade insulation in concrete construction
- — Flat roofs from the 1960s–70s
- — No lift in older stairwells
Typical costs
New bathroom
100,000–280,000 kr
Aarhus is in the top 3 nationally for trades prices. Obtain quotes 3–6 months in advance. . Source: Bolius
New kitchen
80,000–250,000 kr
Fully renovated kitchen including electrical and plumbing work. Aarhus pricing. . Source: Bolius
Façade renovation with insulation
1,600–2,800 kr/m²
Including new surface finish. Aarhus is more expensive than the rest of Jutland. . Source: Bolius
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Interior apartment renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Façade renovations
- — Rooftop terrace and dormer projects
- — Lift projects
- — Apartment mergers
Detached house from 1960–1990
22% of homes in Aarhus — approx. 40,617 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Detached houses in Aarhus's satellite towns and suburbs: Mårslet, Beder, Malling, Lystrup, Trige, Hjortshøj. The typical home is a brick villa from the 1960s–80s. The light rail and E45 motorway provide good access to the city centre, and prices have risen markedly.
What's typical?
- — Brick exterior walls
- — Pitched roof with concrete tiles
- — District heating in most satellite towns
- — Garden of 600–1,000 m²
Common weaknesses
- — Insufficient insulation in older houses
- — Worn roof covering on houses from the 1960s–70s
- — Outdated bathroom and kitchen
Typical costs
New concrete tile roof
95,000–230,000 kr
Aarhus pricing — among the highest in Jutland. Plan well in advance. . Source: Bolius
Energy windows (per window)
4,500–9,500 kr
Installed energy window. Aarhus pricing. . Source: Bolius
Extension
22,000–35,000 kr/m²
New brick extension. Aarhus is more expensive than the rest of Jutland due to high demand. . Source: Bolius
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Roof replacement using the same material
- — Extension under 50 m²
- — Interior renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Extension over 50 m²
- — Façade alterations
- — Loft conversion
Terraced house from 1970–1990
16% of homes in Aarhus — approx. 29,779 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Terraced houses in Aarhus's suburbs and planned residential areas such as Viby, Brabrand and Hasle. Good standard with energy improvement potential.
What's typical?
- — Brick terraced houses in one to one-and-a-half storeys
- — Pitched roof
- — District heating
Common weaknesses
- — Insufficient loft insulation
- — Ageing windows
Typical costs
Energy renovation of terraced house
200,000–450,000 kr
Roof, windows and insulation. Aarhus is more expensive than Jutland generally. . Source: Bolius
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Interior renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Extensions and façade alterations
Local conditions in Aarhus.
local_fire_department District heating — Kredsløb A/S
Kredsløb A/S (formerly AffaldVarme Aarhus) supplies district heating to Aarhus. Aarhus has opened a geothermal plant and is working towards becoming the EU's largest geothermal district heating system by 2030. Kredsløb offers direct connection via aarhus.dk.
account_balance Heritage value
Aarhus city centre and the older villa neighbourhoods contain many heritage-listed buildings. If your home is registered, external alterations require municipal approval. Check the listed buildings register.
Look up your address at the Danish Heritage Agency's FBB register
assignment Building permit in Aarhus
Apply for a building permit via Byg & Miljø on aarhus.dk. Aarhus is a busy municipality — allow 6–8 weeks of processing time for complex cases.
savings Grants for energy renovation
Subsidies for energy renovation are available via Sparenergi.dk and Kredsløb A/S. Aarhus Municipality has its own grant schemes — see aarhus.dk.
Aarhus in figures.
Data from Statistics Denmark (2025) and the Danish Heritage Agency — context for your property.
Dwellings total
4.5% vacancy rate
Listed buildings
Source: Danish Heritage Agency FBB
Social housing units
Source: Landsbyggefonden
CO₂ emissions by sector
Energy
670,408 tonnes CO₂
Transport
363,909 tonnes CO₂
Chemical processes
21,658 tonnes CO₂
Agriculture and land use
39,543 tonnes CO₂
Waste disposal and biogas
30,037 tonnes CO₂
Wastewater
7,196 tonnes CO₂
Frequently asked questions
about renovation in Aarhus.
Yes — Aarhus is one of Denmark's strongest housing markets. A well-executed renovation in popular neighbourhoods such as Trøjborg, Frederiksbjerg or Hasseris typically delivers an excellent increase in value. Trades prices are high, but the rising property prices more than offset this.
Yes, Kredsløb A/S supplies district heating to Aarhus based on geothermal energy, biomass and surplus heat. Aarhus is a frontrunner in green district heating in Denmark.
Trades prices in Aarhus are markedly higher than in the rest of Jutland — typically 20–30% above average. Demand is high and waiting times for tradespeople can be 3–6 months. Plan well in advance.
Bathroom and kitchen deliver the greatest value uplift in apartment buildings. In older properties, replacing plumbing and windows is also important. Always check whether the building has a maintenance survey or renovation plan.
For larger projects (extensions, loft conversions, dormers, façade changes) an architect is strongly recommended. Aarhus has high expectations for construction quality, and an architect ensures the best solution and faster approval.
Aarhus C and popular neighbourhoods have prices close to Copenhagen levels (25,000–35,000 kr/m²). Satellite towns along the light rail (Trige, Lystrup, Mårslet) are 40–50% cheaper but rising quickly. Good commuting options are driving increasing interest.
Next steps.
Green district heating from Kredsløb
Aarhus has Denmark's most ambitious geothermal district heating project. Kredsløb A/S.
assignmentBuilding permit in Aarhus
What can you do without a permit, and what requires approval?
buildRenovation vs. demolition
In Aarhus, it is almost always better to renovate than to demolish and rebuild.
Tell us about your project in Aarhus.
We help homeowners in Aarhus prioritise renovation and get started — from the first assessment to completed project.
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