Find craftsmen near you

This is what awaits you in the“best real estate app“!

• Over 15 industries in one app
• Over 50,000 craftsmen professionals throughout Germany
• Over 500,000 craftsmen reviews

In the app you will find recommendations nationwide for:

• Floor
• Roof
• Electrician
• Facade
• Windows
• Tiles
• Garden & Landscape
• Heating
• Home staging
• Painter
• Awning & Shutter
• Sanitary
• Carpenter
• Solar
• Drywall
• Heat pump

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Craft: Who does what?

Who does what? A brief overview of the typical tasks.

Electrician

The electrician is responsible for the electrical installation in a building. He lays and connects cables, installs switch and distribution boxes, and installs sockets, switches, and lighting systems. The electrician ensures a safe and functioning power supply and takes care of the compliance with the applicable regulations and standards in the field of electrical engineering.

Facade workers

Facade workers have the task of designing and protecting the outer shell of a building. They undertake the plastering, sealing and painting of facades as well as the installation of thermal insulation composite systems. Facade workers not only ensure an aesthetically pleasing design, but also protect the building from the effects of weather and energy loss.

Window manufacturer

Window manufacturers specialize in the manufacture, installation and repair of windows. They take measurements, make the windows according to individual requirements and ensure professional installation. Window installers ensure that the windows provide good thermal and sound insulation and provide optimal protection against burglary.

Tiler

The tiler is responsible for the professional installation of tiles in various rooms. He prepares the substrate, measures and cuts the tiles to fit and ensures that they are laid evenly. The tiler takes care of a neat grout work and provides an attractive appearance of the tile surface.

Garden & Landscape

Gardeners and landscapers are experts in the design and maintenance of outdoor areas. They plan and lay out gardens, design terraces and paths, set plants and take care of the maintenance and upkeep of the greenery. Gardeners and landscapers ensure that the garden is harmonious and appealing and offer customized solutions for the individual needs of customers.

Heating

Heating installers are responsible for installing and maintaining heating systems in buildings. They take care of the installation of boilers, radiators, floor heating systems and other components needed to heat a house or apartment. Heating contractors ensure that the heating system works efficiently and provides a comfortable room temperature.

Home staging

Home stagers are experts in staging properties to facilitate their sale or rental. They optimize the interior design, using furniture, decoration and lighting in a targeted way to make the rooms look appealing and inviting. Home stagers ensure that the property appeals to potential buyers or tenants and stimulates their imagination.

Painter

Painters and varnishers take care of beautifying and protecting the interior and exterior surfaces of a building. They paint walls, ceilings, facades and other surfaces, pre-finish them and select appropriate colors and techniques. Painters provide a fresh, clean, and attractive appearance and help protect surfaces.

Awning & Shutter

Experts in awnings and roller shutters are responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of these sun protection systems. They take measurements, install awnings or roller shutters on windows, terraces or balconies and ensure that they function properly. Awning and shutter installers provide the desired sun protection and privacy for residents.

Sanitary

Plumbers handle the installation, maintenance and repair of plumbing fixtures and fixtures in bathrooms, kitchens and other spaces. They install sinks, toilets, showers, plumbing, and wastewater systems and make sure they work properly. Plumbing technicians ensure proper water supply and sewage disposal in buildings.

Carpenter

Carpenters are experts in the manufacture, installation and repair of wooden structures and furniture. They make custom pieces of furniture, doors, windows or stairs and install them professionally. Carpenters provide high-quality woodwork and contribute to the individual design and functionality of rooms.

Solar

Solar technicians specialize in installing, maintaining, and repairing solar systems to generate environmentally friendly solar energy. They mount solar panels on roofs or in other suitable areas, install inverters, and ensure proper wiring. Solar technicians ensure that solar systems operate efficiently and help reduce energy consumption.

Drywall

Drywall builders are responsible for the interior finishing of buildings. They erect partition walls, clad ceilings and walls with plasterboard and carry out other drywall work such as installing insulation or filling the boards. Drywall builders create functional and aesthetic room structures and contribute to the flexibility of room design.

Heat pump

Heat pump installers specialize in the installation and operation of heat pumps. They ensure that the system is properly sized, install the heat pump components and connect them to the heating and hot water system. Heat pump installers ensure that the heat pump operates efficiently and contributes to the sustainable heat supply of the building.

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The real estate guru!

Check apartment and house: Important criteria

During the technical inspection, you personally make an overview of the condition of the property. Important, if you are not able to assess technical systems, take a person with the appropriate know-how with you to the inspection. You should pay attention to this during the technical inspection of the apartment and house:

Windows, exterior walls & co: condition and sealing

Particular attention should be paid to the windows. Depending on the year of manufacture, they may have certain defects. You should pay particular attention to the seal, otherwise moisture can creep in. The same applies to the exterior walls. Our tip: Take a measuring device with you and carry out a moisture measurement.

Here is an overview:

• Windows: condition and seal
• Exterior walls: check moisture
• Fuse box / electrical subdistribution
• Bathroom: condition and furnishings

Bathrooms and sanitary facilities: Moisture Check

In addition to the fuse box, you should also look at the bathroom. Check the toilet, sink, bathtub and shower for proper function. Moisture plays an important role, especially in the tiles and silicone joints. Otherwise, mold can quickly accumulate here.

This is what you should check during the bathroom check:

• Sanitary facilities
• Tiles
• Silicone joints
• Instantaneous water heater
• Water pressure
• Bath ventilation

Checking community property: Important criteria

If you decide to buy a property as part of a WEG (homeowners’ association), you should also look at the common property. Here it is important to note the following:

Facade, roof & basement: condition and moisture

Look at the condition of the facade as well as the roof and the basement. If there are other common areas, you should also look at them. You should pay particular attention to dampness and mold.

Here is an overview:

• Facade
• Roof & attic
• Basement
• Heating system
• Electric meter cabinet

Consultation with residents: defects & modernization measures

Our tip: Talk to the residents of the WEG and let them tell you about problems and defects in the house. Also ask whether and which modernization measures are planned, as you as a resident of a WEG must expect future costs here.

Checklist: Technical check

Here, once again summarized, the – typical – 10 test points in short form:

1. Windows: condition and seal
2. Exterior walls: check moisture
3. Fuse box / electrical subdistribution
4. Bathroom: condition and furnishings
5. Facade
6. Roof & attic
7. Basement
8. Heating system
9. Electric meter cabinet
10. Future modernization and maintenance measures

Buying real estate: Learning from A-Z

Everything from A-Z: owner-occupancy or renting, financing a condominium, apartment search, real estate portals, brokers, valuation, purchase prices, negotiations and taxes. Knowledge and experience from experts, in one guide.

✓ A guidebook
✓ All facts
✓ Insider tips
✓ Purchase checklists

Learn step-by-step the home buying process and lots of insider tips!

• Buy apartment

Old real estate: apartment & house from older decades

Over 2,650,000 properties in Germany were built before the year 1919. And some time later in the middle of the century, there were even almost 7,500,000 houses! Of course, construction technology was different back then. But as the decades passed, the building industry rapidly learned and not only resorted to more efficient building materials, but also focused on the topics of sound and heat insulation, as well as fire protection.

Here is a brief overview:

• Built before 1919: 2,655,042
• 1919 – 1949 Built: 2,374,762
• 1950 – 1979 Built: 7,357,255
• 1980 – 1989 Built: 2,090,142
• 1990 – 1999 built: 2.490.829
• 2000 – 2011 built: 1.954.588

Each decade brought different advantages and disadvantages. Do you want to invest in a condominium built in 1940? Or buy an apartment building built in 1967 as an investment? Before we go into the different defects, here in advance the advantages and disadvantages of such an older existing property:

Existing property: advantages and disadvantages summarized

If you want to invest in an income property, then an existing property from older decades has very clear advantages: The purchase price is low and the rental yield is high. The ancillary purchase costs and the equity capital to be invested are also kept within reasonable limits. At the same time, maintenance costs are comparatively high.

Older existing properties in B and C locations make excellent yield properties!

Here again summarized, the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantage of buying an old property:

• Mostly more favorable purchase price
• Costs are calculable if you are aware of the defects
• Lower purchase price often ensures better return on investment
• Location in grown infrastructure

Disadvantage of buying an old property:

• High costs for maintenance and repairs
• Possible hidden defects

So what distinguishes the properties of different construction years from each other? And what are the respective defects you should expect? So let’s start chronologically – with properties older than 120 years.

Real estate with year of construction 1900

Cracks in the masonry are typical for older properties built before 1900. Due to the outdated construction technology of that time, thermal insulation is either non-existent or inadequate. The windows are usually single-glazed, letting the cold into the house in winter, while moisture accumulates in the attic and basement rooms. And some deficiencies can be found in the bathrooms as well: Lead pipes, which have not been permitted since 1971, can often be found here and usually need to be urgently replaced after purchase.

Typical for 120+ year old properties: energy sufficiency was not an issue back then!

Defects of real estate before 1900

Here is a brief overview:

• Cracks in plaster and masonry
• Lack of thermal insulation on the facade, roof and windows
• Damp basement
• Outdated technology and electronics
• Outdated clay and lead pipes in the bathroom

Real estate with year of construction 1900 – 1939

Similar defects can also be found in properties built between 1900 and 1939. A lack of underlayment lets cold and damp into the house, wooden beam ceilings are plagued by sponge infestation and the walls, which are often constructed far too thinly, are prone to mold. Not only the ceiling is made of wood, but also the stairs – an enormous fire risk!

Characteristic: In the past, no attention was paid to fire protection during construction!

Checklist: Defects of real estate around 1900 – 1939

All shortcomings briefly summarized at a glance:

• Missing underlays
• Condensation problems
• Sponge and mold infestation
• Hardly any fire protection available
• Obsolete clay and lead pipes
• Cracks in the masonry

Real estate with year of construction 1939 – 1945

Typical for real estate built between the years 1939 and 1945 is the poor building fabric. During the war, raw materials, time and energy were put into the war. Building was therefore fast and cost-saving, which is why both building fabric and the statics of some properties suffered. Unsuitable building materials were also used, such as building rubble and summer wood.

Checklist: Defects of real estate around 1939 – 1945

Typical deficiencies include:

• Poor building fabric
• Pest infestation due to wrong building material
• Static problems
• Cracks in the masonry
• Obsolete gas pipes
• Hardly any fire protection

Real estate with year of construction 1945 – 1959

Above all, poor or missing thermal insulation is often found in properties built between 1945 and 1959. Building materials that are now considered questionable were also often used. These include asbestos, tar, formaldehyde paint and lead paint. Still an issue: the lack of fire protection. After the war, houses had to be built quickly and efficiently. As a result, there is usually a lack of access for the fire department, and fire doors are also almost non-existent. Soundproofing was also not considered at the time, which is why old apartments from this period are often very bright.

Checklist: Defects of real estate around 1945 – 1959

Characteristic of real estate from the period are:

• Use of questionable building materials
• Lack of fire protection
• Lack of soundproofing
• Lack of thermal insulation
• Leaking gas pipes
• Cracks in the masonry

Real estate with year of construction 1960 – 1969

In the second half of the 20th century, the construction method improved. Wood was no longer used for stairs and ceiling. Instead, stone and concrete were now used and the windows were insulated with aluminum. Drains prevented moisture from causing mold in the basement and attic, and underlayment was installed. From now on, emphasis was placed on thermal insulation, but harmful substances continued to be used for this purpose.

Checklist: Defects of real estate around 1960 – 1969

Here is a brief overview:

• Building materials of concern
• Insulation harmful to health
• Concrete damage
• Uninsulated roof trusses

Real estate with year of construction 1970 – 1979

In the 1970s, building technology once again improves immensely. The newly adopted requirements for sound insulation lead to more efficient construction. Lead pipes are no longer laid, but copper water pipes, and construction is mainly done with concrete. Despite improved building materials, cold penetrates the living spaces in winter and leads to mold.

Checklist: Defects of real estate around 1970 – 1979

Typical deficiencies include:

• Parquet adhesive containing tar
• In need of renovation
• Concrete as a building material

Real estate with year of construction 1980 – 1999

Properties built in the last 30 to 40 years are usually characterized by their modern construction technology. Nevertheless, some deficiencies can be found here as well. The costs for maintenance are high, the roof connections are broken and the central heating before 1985 often leads to problems.

Checklist: Defects of real estate around 1980 – 1999

Here again the typical defects from 1980 – 1999:

• Connections and terminations for flat roof
• Central heating
• Expensive maintenance

Conclusion: Should you invest in old real estate?

Admittedly: Compared to new buildings of the modern age, properties from older construction years have their very own charm. And depending on the year of construction, they bring their own advantages and disadvantages, and with a little capital, even building services, roof and masonry can be renewed.

You can now find even more about the respective defects by year of construction on my new project for real estate buyers (Immobilien-Erfahrung.de):

• Year of construction property: defects and condition (external)

Uniform facade design at a glance

• Owner or homeowners’ association sets rules & decides on changes
• Harmonious & uniform appearance is to be ensured
• Old towns – particularly strict regulations

Back to the wiki: Real Estate

Insulation at a glance

• Covering of roof surfaces and facades
• Protect against heat loss and cold penetration
• Insulation is part of the energy renovation
• A specialist company is required for planning and implementation
• In English – “insulation”

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