Renovating a holiday home – how to take proper care of your summer cottage

Start with the condition and how it will be used

Will the cottage be used only in summer or all year round? The answer affects everything from insulation and heating to water pipes. Survey the roof, foundation, facade, windows, electrics and water and drainage before spending money on the interior.

If you bought the cottage recently, go through the inspection report and ask the previous owners about known problems, such as frozen pipes, leaks or damp in the foundation. Make a priority list in the same way as for a house renovation: first whatever protects the house from water and damp, then installations and finally finishes and interior. Also think about how much you want to do yourself and what requires qualifications, such as electrical and wet-room work.

Damp and frost – the holiday home's worst enemies

A house that stands unheated and closed for part of the year is exposed to damp and mould, especially in the crawl space and loft. Good ventilation, working rainwater drainage and a foundation that stays dry are more important than new finishes. Frost protection is also crucial: water pipes that are not drained or protected can freeze and burst during the winter.

If you are thinking of using the cottage in winter, you may need additional insulation, a new heating system and frost-protected pipes. Take advice from professionals before you decide.

Water and drainage

Many holiday homes have their own well and a private sewage system. If you are changing or building a new sewage system, you normally need a permit or must notify the municipality's environmental department. Contact the municipality early, as the requirements differ between municipalities and areas. A plumbing company that works according to Säker Vatten can help with the indoor installations.

Consider having the well water tested regularly, especially if you plan to use the cottage more. A new bathroom or a dishwasher increases the load on the sewage system, so check that the system is sized for it before you rebuild.

Electrics and safety

Older holiday homes often have old wiring, sometimes with extensions added in several stages. Have an electrical installation company registered with Elsäkerhetsverket review the installation. Residual current devices and safe electrics are particularly important in houses that stand empty for long periods.

Plan around the seasons

Tradespeople are often busiest in spring and summer. Request quotes in good time and consider whether the work can be done in autumn or spring, when the cottage is not in use anyway. Exterior jobs such as painting and roof replacement need suitable weather, so build margin into the schedule. Also think about access: long distances, boat transport or poor roads affect the cost.

Do not forget practical matters: where the tradespeople can stay or eat if the cottage is far away, how construction waste will be handled and whether a skip is needed. Finish with a thorough clean before the season starts, so that construction dust is not left behind when the family moves in for the summer.

The ROT deduction also applies to holiday homes

The ROT deduction also applies to holiday homes that you own and use. The deduction is 30 % of the labour cost, no more than SEK 50,000 ROT per person per year within the combined cap of SEK 75,000 for ROT and RUT. The cap applies per person per year in total, so take into account any work on your permanent home in the same year. New construction does not normally qualify for ROT.

Planning permission for cottages and extensions

Extensions, new guest cottages and change of use may require planning permission. Holiday homes are often located within shoreline protection areas or areas with special regulations. Contact the municipality's building committee before you build.

Common renovations in older cottages

Many holiday homes were built simply and have been extended in stages. Common measures include:

• Roof replacement or relaying, often with new gutters and downpipes.
• Exterior painting, often with Falu-type slurry paint or linseed oil paint on older timber houses.
• Replacing rotten sill plates and cladding boards near the ground.
• New electrics with earthed sockets and residual current devices.
• A new kitchen or bathroom when the cottage is to be used more.
• Improved ventilation in the crawl space and loft.

Consider the character of the house before you choose materials. The wrong type of paint on an old timber facade can trap moisture, and modern materials do not always work with older structures. Ask the painter or carpenter about their experience with older houses.

Contract and checking the company

The same rules apply as for your permanent home. Sign a written contract covering scope, price, schedule and payment plan. Check that the company has F-tax approval, is VAT-registered and has liability insurance. Since you are often not on site during the work, it is particularly important to agree how you will stay in touch, for example with photos after each working day, and how additions are to be approved. The Consumer Services Act also applies to work on your holiday home.

Find tradespeople via Fixtorget

Post the job on Fixtorget with the cottage's address and a description of the conditions, for example whether water and electricity are available on site. Up to four vetted companies can contact you, and you can agree on times and availability in the chat.

Frequently asked questions