Renovation of your home in Ishøj.
Ishøj is a densely built suburban municipality south of Copenhagen on Køge Bay with approximately 22,000 residents. The municipality is the smallest on the Vestegn but has great cultural diversity — with a large share of Turkish guest workers and their descendants who came here in the 1960s. ARKEN Museum of Modern Art is an internationally recognised cultural institution at Ishøj Beach.
Ishøj in brief — context for your renovation.
music_noteARKEN Museum of Modern Art
ARKEN Museum of Modern Art at Ishøj Beach is one of Denmark's most acclaimed art museums, with strong international exhibitions. The monumental building from 1996, designed by Søren Robert Lund, is a striking architectural landmark on Køge Bay.
landscapeIshøj Beach and Køge Bay
Ishøj Beach is one of Greater Copenhagen's most accessible beaches, with good bathing conditions and a beach park. The Køge Bay Motorway — Denmark's busiest — cuts through the eastern part of the municipality, but beach life is nonetheless an active recreational offering.
trainS-train directly to the city centre
Ishøj Station is served by S-train lines A and E with 5,186 daily boardings. This provides quick access to the city centre and makes Ishøj attractive for commuters who want low property prices combined with easy transport.
Your housing type.
Apartment building from 1960–1985
55% of homes in Ishøj — approx. 5,500 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Ishøj is dominated by apartment development — particularly the large social housing estates at Ishøj Station and Vejleå Parken. District heating from Ishøj Varmeværk connected to VEKS. Some social housing with active master plans.
What's typical?
- — 4–12 storeys
- — District heating from Ishøj Varmeværk (VEKS)
- — Shared installations and common areas
- — Some social housing
Common weaknesses
- — Outdated plumbing in buildings from the 1960s–70s
- — Thermal bridges at concrete elements
- — Flat roofs in need of replacement
Typical costs
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Interior apartment renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Façade renovations and master plans
- — Accessibility and lift projects
Detached house and terraced house from 1960–1985
35% of homes in Ishøj — approx. 3,500 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Detached houses and terraced houses mainly in the Ishøj Village neighbourhood and smaller developments. The historic Ishøj Village has an idyllic village centre with older houses.
What's typical?
- — Brick detached house or terraced house
- — Pitched roof
- — District heating or individual heating
Common weaknesses
- — Insufficient insulation in older houses
- — Ageing windows
- — Worn roof covering
Typical costs
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Roof replacement using the same material
- — Interior renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Extension over 50 m²
- — Façade alterations
Owner-occupied flat
10% of homes in Ishøj — approx. 1,000 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Owner-occupied flats in Ishøj — a growing segment of privately owned apartments in the municipality.
What's typical?
- — 2–4 storeys
- — District heating
- — Shared installations
Common weaknesses
- — Dependent on owners' association's renovation plan
- — Insufficient insulation in older buildings
Typical costs
New bathroom (apartment)
90,000–220,000 kr
Full renovation including plumbing. Remember the association's approval for intrusive changes. . Source: Bolius
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Interior renovation without interference with load-bearing structures
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Structural changes
Local conditions in Ishøj.
local_fire_department District heating — Ishøj Varmeværk (VEKS)
Ishøj Varmeværk is connected to Vestegnens Kraftvarmeselskab (VEKS) and supplies district heating to Ishøj Municipality. The price is approximately 0.33 kr/kWh, equivalent to approximately 5,924 kr/year for a standard home — significantly below the national average. This gives Ishøj one of Denmark's cheapest district heating prices.
account_balance Heritage value
Ishøj is primarily a post-war suburban municipality. The historic Ishøj Village has older buildings but is limited in scope. Check the listed buildings register for your home.
Look up your address at the Danish Heritage Agency's FBB register
assignment Building permit in Ishøj
Apply for a building permit via Byg & Miljø on the Ishøj Municipality website. Interior alterations to a single-family home normally do not require a building permit.
savings Grants for energy renovation
Subsidies for energy renovation are available via Sparenergi.dk. Ishøj Varmeværk provides guidance on connection and energy savings.
Ishøj in figures.
Data from Statistics Denmark (2025) and the Danish Heritage Agency — context for your property.
Dwellings total
2.6% vacancy rate
Listed buildings
Source: Danish Heritage Agency FBB
Social housing units
Source: Landsbyggefonden
CO₂ emissions by sector
Energy
22,822 tonnes CO₂
Transport
37,030 tonnes CO₂
Chemical processes
1,437 tonnes CO₂
Agriculture and land use
-36 tonnes CO₂
Waste disposal and biogas
1,618 tonnes CO₂
Wastewater
444 tonnes CO₂
Frequently asked questions
about renovation in Ishøj.
Yes — Ishøj Varmeværk supplies district heating via VEKS at approximately 5,924 kr/year for a standard home. It is one of Denmark's cheapest district heating prices — significantly below the national average.
ARKEN Museum of Modern Art is an internationally acclaimed art museum at Ishøj Beach. The striking 1996 building designed by Søren Robert Lund is an architectural landmark and one of the Vestegn's strongest cultural attractions.
Ishøj offers low property prices combined with a good S-train connection to the city centre and cheap district heating. For budget-conscious home buyers, it is an attractive choice — but the market is characterised by a high share of social housing and social diversity.
Prices are at Greater Copenhagen levels — 15–20% above the national average. The low district heating prices give good operating economics, however.
Ishøj is part of the 16 km long Køge Bay Beach Park — one of Greater Copenhagen's most used natural areas, with sandy beaches, dunes and recreational facilities. By S-train, you can be at the beach from the city centre in 25–30 minutes, giving Ishøj a special appeal.
Next steps.
One of Denmark's cheapest district heating systems in Ishøj
Ishøj Varmeværk offers district heating at 5,924 kr/year for a standard home.
assignmentBuilding permit in Ishøj
What can you do without a permit, and what requires approval?
energy_savings_leafSubsidies for energy renovation
Find subsidy options for insulation and renovation.
Tell us about your project in Ishøj.
We help homeowners in Ishøj prioritise renovation and get started — from the first assessment to completed project.
Start your dream here