Renovation of your home in Bornholm.
Bornholm is an island municipality in the Baltic Sea with 39,600 residents and a wholly distinctive building tradition shaped by round churches, granite farmsteads and older fishing houses. As a peripheral municipality with 13% housing vacancy, the property market is fundamentally different from the mainland — yet the island's appeal as a cultural destination and natural gem keeps prices up in the most popular areas.
Bornholm in brief — context for your renovation.
landscapeIsland building tradition and granite farmsteads
Bornholm has a unique building tradition featuring smoked herring smokehouses, round churches and older granite farmsteads. Heritage considerations are more widespread than on the mainland — always check the SAVE register if you own an older house on the island.
local_shippingFreight surcharge — build it into your budget
All building materials and specialist equipment must be shipped to the island. Freight costs typically add 15–25% to trades and materials prices. Make sure to clarify this with your supplier before signing a contract.
energy_savings_leaf99.98% renewable district heating
Bornholms Energi & Forsyning produces the island's district heating from almost 100% locally sourced straw and wood chips. It is one of Denmark's greenest district heating systems — but the price per MWh is at the higher end.
Your housing type.
Detached house from 1950–1980
53% of homes in Bornholm — approx. 13,685 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Detached houses dominate on Bornholm. Many were built using local materials such as granite and brick during a period of population growth on the island. With 13% vacancy there is a two-tier market: popular coastal towns and inland villages. Renovation investments require careful planning due to freight costs.
What's typical?
- — Brick or granite exterior walls
- — Pitched roof with concrete tiles or fibre cement sheets
- — District heating (town) or oil boiler/heat pump (rural areas)
- — Garden with windbreak planting
Common weaknesses
- — Insufficient insulation in older construction
- — Worn roof covering — many houses from the 1960s–70s
- — Outdated oil boiler in rural areas
- — Moisture problems due to the island climate
Typical costs
New concrete tile roof
110,000–260,000 kr
Freight surcharge of 15–25% above mainland prices. Get quotes from local roofers early — waiting times are typically long on the island. . Source: Bolius
Energy windows (per window)
5,500–11,000 kr
Installed energy window including freight to Bornholm. Plan purchases as a combined delivery to minimise freight costs. . Source: Bolius
New bathroom
100,000–250,000 kr
Full renovation including plumbing and freight. Freight costs on tiles, sanitaryware and plumbing materials can add up to 20% above mainland prices. . Source: Bolius
Loft insulation
25,000–60,000 kr
Effective energy improvement — Bornholm's coastal climate gives a good payback period. Subsidy available via Sparenergi.dk. . Source: Bolius
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Roof replacement using the same material
- — Interior renovation
- — Extension under 50 m²
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Façade alterations on heritage buildings
- — Extension over 50 m²
- — Converting from oil boiler to heat pump
Terraced house from 1970–1990
25% of homes in Bornholm — approx. 5,683 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Terraced houses in Rønne, Nexø and Allinge. Energetically, these block-era houses need updating to meet today's standards.
What's typical?
- — Brick terraced houses in one to one-and-a-half storeys
- — Flat or shallow pitched roof
- — District heating in the larger towns
Common weaknesses
- — Insufficient insulation
- — Ageing windows
- — Leaking roofs
Typical costs
Energy renovation of terraced house
220,000–480,000 kr
Roof, windows and insulation including freight surcharge to Bornholm. . Source: Bolius
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Interior renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Extensions and façade alterations
Apartment building from 1960–1980
11% of homes in Bornholm — approx. 2,483 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Apartment buildings mainly in Rønne and Nexø. Many are social housing. With the island's high vacancy rate, the investment economics here are more uncertain than in urban municipalities.
What's typical?
- — 3–5 storeys in brick
- — District heating in Rønne
- — Shared installations
Common weaknesses
- — Outdated plumbing
- — Flat roofs with leaks
Typical costs
Façade renovation with insulation
1,600–3,000 kr/m²
Including new surface finish and freight surcharge to Bornholm. . Source: Bolius
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Interior apartment renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Façade renovations
- — Roof renovations
Local conditions in Bornholm.
local_fire_department District heating — Bornholms Energi & Forsyning
Bornholms Energi & Forsyning (beof.dk) produces district heating from almost 100% renewable energy (straw and wood chips). It is one of Denmark's greenest district heating systems. The price per MWh is at the higher end (approx. 727 kr/MWh). In rural areas, oil boilers and individual heat pumps are still common.
account_balance Heritage value
Bornholm has a distinctive building tradition with granite farmsteads, smokehouses and a historic town centre in Rønne. Many buildings are registered in the listed buildings database. Always contact Bornholms Regionskommune if you are planning façade alterations on an older house.
Look up your address at the Danish Heritage Agency's FBB register
assignment Building permit in Bornholm
Apply for a building permit via Byg & Miljø on the Bornholms Regionskommune website. Remember that transporting materials to the island requires extra planning — order permits and materials well in advance.
savings Grants for energy renovation
Subsidies for energy renovation are available via Sparenergi.dk. As a peripheral municipality, additional support schemes may be available. Contact Bornholms Regionskommune for local subsidy options.
Bornholm in figures.
Data from Statistics Denmark (2025) and the Danish Heritage Agency — context for your property.
Dwellings total
13% vacancy rate
Listed buildings
Source: Danish Heritage Agency FBB
Social housing units
Source: Landsbyggefonden
CO₂ emissions by sector
Energy
51,040 tonnes CO₂
Transport
57,752 tonnes CO₂
Chemical processes
2,427 tonnes CO₂
Agriculture and land use
92,229 tonnes CO₂
Waste disposal and biogas
4,526 tonnes CO₂
Wastewater
974 tonnes CO₂
Frequently asked questions
about renovation in Bornholm.
Allow for a 15–25% surcharge on trades and materials costs due to freight. Roofing tiles, windows, plumbing equipment and specialist materials must be shipped to the island — it adds up. Always get quotes from local tradespeople, as they will already have factored in these costs.
Yes, Bornholms Energi & Forsyning (beof.dk) supplies district heating to Rønne and the larger towns, based on almost 100% renewable energy (straw and wood chips). In rural areas, oil boilers and individual heat pumps are still common. Contact beof.dk for connection information.
It depends on location and property type. Popular coastal towns such as Gudhjem, Svaneke and Allinge have relatively stable prices. With 13% vacancy, it is riskier in peripheral areas. Renovations in central towns with tourism potential are typically most profitable.
Typically: a new roof, additional insulation, energy windows and replacing the oil boiler with a heat pump or district heating connection. Moisture problems are more common than on the mainland due to the island climate — always inspect the basement and roof structure.
Not always, but on older properties with heritage value it is recommended. An architect familiar with Bornholm's building tradition can ensure the renovation respects the island's distinctive character and avoids conflicts with the municipality's heritage regulations.
Next steps.
Green district heating from Bornholms Energi
Almost 100% renewable energy-based district heating for island households. See connection options.
assignmentBuilding permit on Bornholm
What requires approval, and what is permit-free? Particularly relevant for heritage properties.
buildPlan your renovation with the freight factor
Remember freight surcharges and local tradespeople when budgeting a Bornholm renovation.
Tell us about your project in Bornholm.
We help homeowners in Bornholm prioritise renovation and get started — from the first assessment to completed project.
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