Blog

Blog

Expert articles on existing buildings, energy, law and technology.

Corporate clients

Quantifying the Maintenance Backlog: From Gut Feeling to a Defensible Number

13 June 2026 · approx. 9 min

How portfolio holders quantify the maintenance backlog methodically: condition grades per component group, cost estimation to DIN 276, key figures for boards and banks.

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Corporate clients

Investment Planning as an Annual Process: Who Does What When — and With Which Data?

13 June 2026 · approx. 9 min

Investment planning (Wirtschaftsplanung) for housing portfolios as a rolling annual cycle: quarterly logic, roles and interfaces, the data basis and the typical errors of carried-forward budgets.

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Corporate clients

Safety Duties and Operator Responsibility in Residential Portfolios: The Obligations Map for Asset Holders

13 June 2026 · approx. 11 min

Which inspection and safety duties affect holders of residential property in Germany — from lifts to tree inspection. With obligations table, intervals and legal bases.

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Technology

Nano Coating Instead of Insulation Boards? What Is Behind Infrared-Reflective Facade Coatings

12 June 2026 · approx. 6 min

Infrared-reflective nano coatings promise insulation performance without insulation thickness. What the new operating principle can do, what trade bodies criticise and which field trials are under way.

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Private clients

Buying a House in NRW: The 12 Hidden Defect Risks to Know Before You Sign at the Notary

15 May 2026 · approx. 9 min

The 12 most common hidden defects when buying a house in NRW – with refurbishment costs, detection markers and inspection advice from an AKNW chartered architect.

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Private clients

What Does Energy Consulting Cost in Düsseldorf? Fees, Subsidies and Timeline at a Glance

15 May 2026 · approx. 8 min

Energy consulting in Düsseldorf: fee ranges, 50% BAFA subsidy, iSFP bonus and realistic timeline – explained transparently by an AKNW chartered architect.

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Technology

iSFP 2026: Refurbishment Roadmap, BAFA Subsidy and the 5% Bonus Explained

15 May 2026 · approx. 10 min

Individual refurbishment roadmap (iSFP) 2026: structure, 50% BAFA subsidy, 5% implementation bonus, sequencing logic – explained by an AKNW chartered architect.

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Private clients

Buyer Support vs. Building Surveyor: Who Does What, What Costs What – and Whom Do You Need When?

15 May 2026 · approx. 8 min

Buyer support or building surveyor? Clear separation of tasks, costs, liability and report formats – decision guide from an AKNW chartered architect in Düsseldorf.

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Technology

GEG 2024/2026: Refurbishment Obligations and Exceptions for Existing-Building Owners

15 May 2026 · approx. 11 min

German Building Energy Act (GEG) 2024/2026: which refurbishment duties apply when, which exceptions exist and when an ownership change triggers the 2-year deadline.

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Technology

Roof Drone Inspection: Process, Legal Framework (EU A2) and Costs 2026

15 May 2026 · approx. 9 min

Building drone surveys 2026: workflow from pre-flight check to report, EU drone law (A1/A2/A3), marking duties, insurance and realistic costs.

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Corporate clients

Technical Due Diligence: Contents, Depth, Report Structure

15 May 2026 · approx. 11 min

TDD in line with the RICS standard: three depth levels, mandatory content, report structure, fee ranges – the standard reference for asset holders and investors.

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Corporate clients

CAPEX Planning for Residential Portfolios: Methodology and Rates from BKI 2025

15 May 2026 · approx. 10 min

CAPEX planning for residential portfolios: methodology to AHO/DIN 276, BKI 2025 rates per component, 10-year investment plan – for asset holders and asset managers.

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Technology

Building Thermography: When It Is Worth It, What It Shows – and Where Its Limits Lie

15 May 2026 · approx. 9 min

Building thermography 2026: operating limits, weather conditions under DIN EN 13187, typical findings, costs – and when an image is NOT meaningful.

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Private clients

Market Value Appraisal vs. Building Condition Analysis: Which Document for Which Purpose?

15 May 2026 · approx. 8 min

Market value appraisal, short appraisal and building condition analysis compared: occasions, mandatory content, costs and legal effect – decision guide for owners.

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