Renovation of your home in Odsherred.
Odsherred is a peninsula bounded by Sejerø Bay, the Kattegat and Isefjord — Denmark's largest holiday home municipality with over 26,000 summer houses. This strongly shapes the housing market: many permanent homes compete with holiday homes for attention, and the vacancy rate of 8.2% reflects a more remote location. On the other hand, prices are lower and there are great renovation opportunities.
Odsherred in brief — context for your renovation.
landscapeDenmark's largest holiday home municipality
Odsherred has over 26,000 holiday homes and 40,000 properties in total. Over 100,000 holiday visitors come to the municipality every year. This creates a unique market where permanent and holiday homes overlap — and opportunities for the creative buyer.
parkNature and cultural heritage
The Sun Chariot from 1902 and the distinctive landscape of Lammefjord (drained since 1875) define the area. The carrots from Lammefjord are world-famous. The municipality's nature attracts artists, retirees and people seeking tranquillity.
homeDetached houses dominate — with high vacancy
Detached houses and farmhouses make up over half of the housing stock. The vacancy rate of 8.2% is relatively high — reflecting rural depopulation in parts of the municipality. Lower prices, however, mean renovation budgets stretch further.
Your housing type.
Detached house from 1950–1985
57% of homes in Odsherred — approx. 10,000 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Detached houses and farmhouses dominate the housing stock in Odsherred. Many are older with great renovation potential. Prices are lower than in Zealand generally, but coastal locations hold their value.
What's typical?
- — Brick exterior walls or timber cladding
- — Pitched roof with clay tiles or asbestos cement
- — Individual heating — oil, gas, heat pump or district heating (partial)
- — Garden with coastal character
Common weaknesses
- — Insufficient insulation — many older homes have cold bridges
- — Older roof covering, possibly asbestos cement
- — Outdated bathroom
- — Oil or gas boiler that needs replacing
Typical costs
New clay tile or concrete tile roof
85,000–200,000 kr
Zealand prices — slightly lower than Copenhagen, but higher than Jutland. Higher vacancy rate gives better access to tradespeople. . Source: Bolius
Energy windows (per window)
4,800–9,000 kr
Installed energy window. Zealand price level. . Source: Bolius
Switch from oil boiler to heat pump
40,000–80,000 kr
Air-to-water heat pump including installation. Gives significant energy savings. . Source: Bolius
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Roof replacement with same material
- — Extension under 50 m²
- — Interior renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Extension over 50 m²
- — Facade changes
- — Conversion of holiday home to permanent residence
Flat from 1960–1985
12% of homes in Odsherred — approx. 2,100 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Flats primarily in Nykøbing Sjælland and Fårevejle — the municipality's two largest towns. Many are social housing connected to district heating. Limited owner-occupied flat market, but stable with renovation potential in facades and installations.
What's typical?
- — 3–4 storeys in brick
- — District heating (Nykøbing Sj. area) or individual heating
- — Flat or low-pitched roofs
- — Centrally located in the towns
Common weaknesses
- — Outdated plumbing and heating systems
- — Insufficient insulation in facades
- — Flat roofs with worn membranes
Typical costs
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Interior flat renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Facade renovations
- — Flat roof renovations
Terraced house from 1970–1990
17% of homes in Odsherred — approx. 3,000 dwellings (source: Statistics Denmark 2025)
Terraced houses in Nykøbing Sjælland and the larger towns. Typically brick-built with individual heating. Good potential for energy optimisation.
What's typical?
- — Brick terraced houses in one storey
- — Pitched roof
- — District heating (parts of Nykøbing Sj.) or individual heating
Common weaknesses
- — Insufficient insulation
- — Older windows
Typical costs
Energy renovation terraced house
180,000–370,000 kr
Roof, windows and insulation. Zealand price level. . Source: Bolius
Do you need an architect?
Probably not necessary for:
- — Interior renovation
Architect recommended or required for:
- — Extension and facade changes
Local conditions in Odsherred.
local_fire_department Heating — Odsherred Forsyning (Odsherred Varme A/S)
Odsherred Forsyning supplies district heating to a number of towns: Fårevejle, Stårup, Rørvig, Højby, Nr. Asmindrup, Vig, Egebjerg, Grevinge and Herrestrup. Outside the district heating areas, individual heating (heat pump, wood pellet boiler) is the norm. The municipality has drawn up heating plans for converting from gas and oil.
account_balance Heritage value
Odsherred has few heritage-rated buildings in the permanent residential areas. The municipality's cultural heritage is primarily linked to the natural landscape and agricultural history (Lammefjord). If your property is registered, the usual rules apply.
Look up your address at the Danish Heritage Agency's FBB register
assignment Building permit in Odsherred
Apply for a building permit via Byg & Miljø. Note: Odsherred has many holiday home areas with special rules. Converting a holiday home to a permanent residence requires a dispensation and is subject to special provisions in the Planning Act.
savings Grants for energy renovation
Grants for energy renovation via Sparenergi.dk. Converting from oil and gas boilers gives access to government grants. Contact Odsherred Forsyning about district heating connection.
Odsherred in figures.
Data from Statistics Denmark (2025) and the Danish Heritage Agency — context for your property.
Dwellings total
8.2% vacancy rate
Listed buildings
Source: Danish Heritage Agency FBB
Social housing units
Source: Landsbyggefonden
CO₂ emissions by sector
Energy
59,928 tonnes CO₂
Transport
118,030 tonnes CO₂
Chemical processes
2,021 tonnes CO₂
Agriculture and land use
43,323 tonnes CO₂
Waste disposal and biogas
2,223 tonnes CO₂
Wastewater
519 tonnes CO₂
Frequently asked questions
about renovation in Odsherred.
It depends on the location. Coastal properties and centrally located permanent homes have stable demand. The high vacancy rate (8.2%) reflects rural depopulation in parts of the municipality — but also means lower purchase and renovation prices. Choose your location carefully.
Partially. Odsherred Forsyning supplies district heating to Fårevejle, Rørvig, Højby, Vig and several other towns. Check your address at odsherredforsyning.dk. Outside district heating areas, a heat pump is the best alternative to oil and gas boilers.
Odsherred is Denmark's largest holiday home municipality. Conversion requires a dispensation — contact the municipality. Special rules apply in holiday home areas, and dispensations are rarely granted without particular reasons (e.g. the owner's age or local connection).
Zealand price level, but slightly lower than Greater Copenhagen. The higher vacancy rate gives better access to tradespeople than in the metropolis. Always get at least three quotes.
Switching from an oil/gas boiler to a heat pump is the most important investment. Then: new roof, retrofit insulation and energy windows. Many houses are poorly insulated and have outdated heating — the potential for energy savings is large.
Next steps.
Switch from oil to heat pump
Convert your oil boiler and save on heating bills. Grants may be available.
assignmentBuilding permits in Odsherred
Special rules for holiday home areas and permanent residences.
buildEnergy renovation: what pays off?
Compare renovation and new build — find the right strategy for your home.
Tell us about your project in Odsherred.
We help homeowners in Odsherred prioritise renovation and get started — from the first assessment to completed project.
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