Roof renovation in Geneva
Planning building work? Apartment, house or building renovation, a new storey or a roof extension, running the project is our job.
HMG Construction Management SA manages the maintenance and renovation of your roof in Geneva, pitched or flat. The firm has the roof structure, the covering and the waterproofing inspected, checks whether a permit is required, files the application as an agent registered on the Geneva MPQ list (mandataires professionnellement qualifiés, the cantonal register of qualified building professionals), prices the works, appoints the contractors and manages the site to SIA standards.
How do you get your roof renovation done without the worry? By handing the management and the coordination of the contractors to HMG. HMG is there for you.
Roof maintenance or renovation, how do you decide?
Maintenance keeps a sound roof in service. It means replacing broken tiles, cleaning the gutters and downpipes, checking the flashings around chimneys and roof windows, and inspecting the upstands of the membrane on a flat roof. Done regularly, it postpones major works.
Renovation becomes necessary when the covering has reached the end of its life, when the underlay no longer does its job, when the roof structure shows defects or when the insulation is inadequate. It then affects several layers at once. An inspection from outside and from the attic shows which case applies to your building, so that only what needs replacing is replaced.
Permits and procedures in Geneva
The Office des autorisations de construire (OAC), the cantonal building permit office, issues permits in the canton. The official permit types page (in French) states that works which do not alter the general appearance of an existing building are handled under the fast-track procedure, called APA. When the shape, the height or the openings of the roof change, the appearance of the building is affected and the procedure that applies is checked case by case. HMG establishes this before pricing, then prepares the file on the AC-Démat online platform.
If the renovation includes insulation, grants from the Programme Bâtiments, the Swiss buildings programme, have to be requested before the works start, and a CECB+ certificate describes the energy condition of the building with renovation options. Before old materials are stripped, the page Rénover, transformer ou démolir sans danger, which deals with asbestos, PCB and lead, should also be consulted. The guide to building permits and procedures in Geneva completes this information.
Who do you call first?
The choice depends on the scale of the project.
- HMG looks after everything. The firm organises the roof inspection, draws up the plans, files the application where one is required, consults the contractors and manages the works to acceptance.
- Your architect has designed the project, for example with new openings or a fit-out under the roof, and has obtained the permit. HMG takes over for the construction phase and works alongside them.
If you are thinking of making the space under the roof habitable, it is better to decide before the covering is renewed. Our page on attic conversion in Geneva describes that project.
How HMG manages your roof renovation
A roof brings together the carpenter, the roofer, the sheet metal worker, the waterproofer on flat roofs, the scaffolder and sometimes the solar panel installer. HMG writes a common specification, asks for comparable bids and prepares a schedule that limits the time during which the building is uncovered. Temporary rain protection is provided at every break in the works.
The checks focus on what disappears under the covering, namely the condition of the roof structure once the covering is stripped, the continuity of the insulation and the vapour barrier, the laying of the underlay and the battens, then the sheet metal junctions at the verges, the valleys and around openings. On a flat roof, HMG checks the falls, the upstands and the outlets before the protective layers are laid. Invoices are compared with the bids before payment, and the contractors' warranties are gathered in the file handed over at the end.
Usual steps and timing
- Inspection of the covering, the roof structure, the sheet metal work and the insulation.
- Definition of the works, detail drawings and cost estimate.
- Check of the permit procedure and grant applications before the works.
- Tenders and contracts with the contractors.
- Scaffolding, stripping, repairs to the roof structure, insulation, underlay, covering and sheet metal work.
- Final inspection, acceptance, snagging and final account.
The weather and the delivery time of the materials largely set the timetable. HMG agrees a favourable period with the contractors and allows spare days for bad weather.
A selection of sites managed by HMG
Frequently asked questions
How do you know whether a roof needs renovating?
Tiles that slip or crack, traces of damp in the attic, overflowing gutters or a roof structure that is deforming are signs worth having examined. An inspection by a professional separates what is maintenance from what calls for renovation.
Should the roof be insulated at the same time?
It is often the right moment, because the scaffolding is up and the covering is off. The insulation can then be laid from outside, which limits the work inside the rooms under the roof. Any grants have to be requested before the works start.
Can we stay in the building during roof works?
Yes, in most cases. The works are done from outside and the roof is protected every evening. Only work on the roof structure or the creation of openings can disturb the use of the top-floor rooms during a few stages.
How much does a roof renovation cost in Geneva?
The price depends on the surface area, the shape of the roof, the condition of the roof structure and the materials chosen. An estimate by trade is prepared after the inspection, then the budget rests on the contractors' bids.
Related guides and pages
Request a call back
Describe your project in a few lines. HMG calls you back within 24 hours.