Nordhaus

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Bauen im Bestand

Building work inside or around an existing structure, such as extending a house, converting a loft or reorganising a floor plan without demolishing. At Nordhaus this is the category most private owners arrive with, and it drives questions about load-bearing walls, permits and how to keep a house habitable during works.

2

Sanierung

Refurbishment of an ageing building, ranging from a single damp cellar to a full modernisation of roof, windows, heating and bathrooms. Exhibitors use the term for renovation work that restores or upgrades a property rather than adding new space.

3

Modernisierung

Targeted upgrade work that improves comfort or efficiency, for example new windows, insulation, a refreshed bathroom or updated electrics. It differs from Sanierung mainly in scope and is often the entry point for owners comparing several trade quotes at the fair.

4

Energieberatung

Independent or supplier-linked advice on a building's energy performance, usually starting with the building envelope, heating system and ventilation. At a regional building fair, this is where owners find out which measures pay back and which funding programmes fit their house.

5

Energieausweis

The German energy performance certificate for a building, showing demand or consumption values and an efficiency class. It becomes relevant at Nordhaus when owners plan a sale, a major renovation or a funding application.

6

Wärmepumpe

A heat pump that draws heat from air, ground or water and delivers it at a lower flow temperature than a fossil boiler. Visitors compare air-to-water units, noise figures, radiator suitability and the electrical work needed for installation.

7

Photovoltaik

Solar photovoltaic generation, usually roof-mounted, often paired with a battery store and sometimes with a heat pump. The questions that dominate at the fair are roof orientation, roof load, storage sizing and how the system is metered and registered.

8

KfW-Förderung

Funding programmes run by the German state development bank KfW, widely used for efficiency refurbishment and barrier-free adaptation of homes. Programme numbers, conditions and rates change, so treat any figure quoted at the fair as a starting point and verify it with the bank or an adviser.

9

Handwerksbetrieb

A licensed skilled-trade business - painter, tiler, carpenter, electrician, heating engineer - as opposed to a pure retailer. Much of the Nordhaus value comes from meeting regional Handwerksbetriebe whose teams would actually carry out the work.

10

Innenausbau

Interior fit-out: floors, walls, ceilings, doors, stairs, built-in storage and lighting. It is the part of a project visitors most often want to see and touch before choosing, which is why material samples matter at the show.

11

Barrierefreies Wohnen

Barrier-free or low-barrier living: step-free entrances, wider doors, walk-in showers and accessible kitchens. Frequently planned alongside a bathroom renovation so that a house stays usable for older residents.

12

Rohbau und Ausbau

Shell construction followed by fit-out - the two phases that split a new build or extension budget. Knowing the boundary helps visitors judge whether a quote covers masonry, roofing and screed or only finishes.

13

Smart Home

Connected home systems for heating, lighting, shading, security and access, usually controlled from an app or panel. At the fair the practical questions are wiring at the building stage, vendor lock-in and whether systems can be extended later.

14

Baufinanzierung

Finance for building or renovation, typically an annuity loan with a fixed-interest period. Visitors comparing renovation quotes often need to check whether the work can be financed alongside an existing mortgage.

15

Angebot und Aufmass

A written quote and the measured survey behind it. A good quote taken at the fair should state quantities, materials, labour, exclusions and validity, so two suppliers can be compared line by line.