If you had to add a significant sum to your mortgage ...

Finance, Taxes, Banking, Insurance and Retirement
21
If you are redoing the roof, you can use solar roof tiles instead of regular roof tiles. I guess it might cost a bit more than regular tiles but certainly less than doing the roof and adding panels. Something like (only an example, I have never researched this):

https://freesuns.com/de/?gclid=CjwKC...RoCXMUQAvD_BwE

You should be able to get some subsidies for that which may well offset the extra cost - plus you get free leccie thereafter (which as you're usually above the fog level should be particularly productive).

22
those are modern look roof tiles though. doubt you'd even be allowed on an old house.

i've looked for something here like the Solar City terracotta tiles but couldn't find anything available here. solar roofs here all look like solar roofs. I have an old grotto on my land that needs a new roof and is a protected building and I wouldn't be allowed to put tiles on that didn't look original.

23
Some very interesting solutions for historic buildings.Thanks for the link!

ETA: Several of the examples in tht link, under the 'historic Gebaude' section, would certainly be acceptable if the house is not under official Denkmalschutz. And today, given the looming energy crisis, even Denkmalschutz may have to bend a tiny bit to meet energy targets.

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Jackie, you might be pleasantly surprised after talking to your bank. Your house has to have appreciated massively in the intervening years, due to it's unique qualities likely far more than the average in your area. You might find that remortgaging terms - or maybe other loan products - may be more favorable than you expect given the rise in value of your home.

Fingers crossed a good solution is found.

24
Actually if you scroll down to bottom of the page there are some quite decent ones for an older building.

25
thanks, i did but they don't suit older buildings around here. maybe its a northern swiss style. i would need something like the tesla (solar city) 'tuscan' style tiles. essentially curved terracotta style like this:

https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-sola...-tiles-patent/

26
No worries Meloncollie - a solution there will be. Waiting for several other quotes from reputable local people. Just wondering if anyone had got some great tips for adding to exisiting mortgage. Thanks.

In this house, a lot of the things we have done can't be 'seen' - like electrics, heating, etc. The new kitchen will just have to wait - I can live with that.

We have solar panels in our meadow for water heating- works really well- especially as we ahve no fog up here in winter.

27
Splitting the new roof and solar panels over 2 different tax year may be an advantage as both can be claimed under house repairs (Canton ZH anyway)...

28
It is virtually impossible to answer as we have no idea what the property is worth, conservatively (UBS estimate) what other work needs doing apart from the roof and the kitchen apparently.

What size mortgage is already on the property, do you need to increase mortgage deeds (Actes hypothécaires ) as well ?

What can you offer as security ?

I expect the bank would entertain a mortgage of up to 60-65% of their valuation of the property but no more as the risk becomes to big for them so without precise and detailed information it is difficult to answer.

Savinter.ch however disagreeable maybe a good solution, you sell now and remain the right to stay in the property for the rest of your lives (both you & husband until you die), you can negotiate a monthly pension from the buyer and a lump sum. All of which depends on the other, meaning it won't be a huge lump sum with a large monthly pension, one or the other.

It is a financial calculation based on the risk of how long you may live for.

I suggest you contact them ans may a preliminary inquiry, you maybe pleasantly surprised and it would solve a lot of immediate problems and give you some financial security to use your $$ as you wish, rather than paying death duties !

You get to use the house and get some $$ until you croak, after which money isn't so much use

29
Well I'd quite like to pass some on to daughters and grand-children ...

Plenty of equity in the house, so finding mortage won't be an issue- just wondering which is best.

30

You can leave some, you are not obliged to spend all of the money !

31
Unless you own a palace, 100K to replace the roof is ridiculous money. I'd be trying companies in France and Germany to see if you can get a more sensible price.

32
100k is not nothing but you can not say it is expensive with out all details, that's punters talk. The days of cheap prices from Germany and France for building work is well over although material costs can be lower if you are buying as a retail customer. The best way to save is by getting a specification developed and shop around, you will need to pay someone to do this but then you know what you are getting. Best value beats cheapest price on permanent fixtures.

33
Tempting perhaps- but living in a rural community, using a foreign firm would lose us all the goodwill we have built up. And what when you need someone in an emergency? It is just not something we could consider.

100k is not a huge sum of money when you consider a roof nearly 500m2. Those ancient Neuchâtel farmhouses are monsters (very lovable ones).

34
100K is normal. A house down our road built in 1972 has to have a new roof and they found asbestos. Clearing this added CHF35,000 to the cost.

I would ask UBS for their best rate for adding the cost to your mortgage. You should be able to get below 1% interest only for 10 years fixed...

35

480 SQM able to withstand large volume of snow (she lives at 800m above the fog if you haven't realised) ......Chf100k sounds fairly reasonable, i suspect it will be considerably more if it is a full roof that needs changing.

Doubt if UBS will offer 1% fixed for 10 years today and, as they are more than well aware, they have you over the proverbial barrel....

36
No asbestos here phheeewww. The roof beams are all held with wooden pegs, no nails, and the structure is amazing. Totally sound and dating from after the 1663 fire.

37
Not possible for the roof- as can't be done in winter. The cost of scaffolding is huge, about 1/5th of cost so not a good idea to have to put up twice!

But yes, if solar panels are added that could be the next year- probably cheaper to put in the part of the meadow on frames with sun all day long.

38
For household insurance, the damage caused by the leaking roof would be covered, but not the leaking roof and repair thereof.

Compulsory kantonal insurance would possibly cover the repairs to the roof if it was new and due to a specific storm but this may vary depending on the Kanton.

In this case though, it looks like the owner will be paying the bill (and she appears to know this anyway).

39
Here is a Swiss firm offering solar tiles, not much on their web site about historical buildings.

Another firm named Issos claim to offer solar tiles especially for historic businesses but in their case history is around 100 years.

Might be worth waiting a while as an irresistible force hits an immovable object, I mean the Swiss Govt. is planning to ban fossil fuel heating so they will have to find and approve another solution for historic buildings.

40
You may be able to integrate the roof repairs with a general upgrading of the energy efficiency of the house (not necessarily solar panels, simply better insulation etc.). This may allow you to spread the tax savings over multiple tax years. Here qualifying projects can spread these tax deductions over 3 years. Of course, such schemes are canton dependent. Anyway, some professional advice, applicable to your specific situation, would be good.

But why have you come to the conclusion that a new roof is necessary ? Excessive annual repair costs for fixing broken tiles and leaks ?