How much does an apartment renovation cost in Bulgaria in 2026?

One of the first questions clients ask is ‘How much will it cost?’ The honest answer is that the range is wide – between €180 and €330 per square metre for labour on a full renovation of a home in normal condition. For an 80 m² apartment, that means between €14,400 and €26,400, excluding materials. Why such a gap?

The first factor is the technical condition of the property. An old prefab panel apartment with worn-out electrical wiring, problems with the risers and floors that need levelling is considerably more expensive than a new property in shell condition, where the wiring and plumbing are new and the floors are ready for finishing. This is determined at the site visit itself – which is why the free site visit is a critical stage, not just a courtesy.

The second factor is the standard of the materials. Basic tiles at €18/m² versus premium Italian porcelain stoneware at €80/m² make a difference of thousands of euros to the overall budget. The same goes for sanitaryware, windows, lighting and kitchen furniture. That is why a good quote always separates ‘labour’ and ‘materials’ – so that you can make rational trade-offs.

The third factor is the scope. ‘Full renovation’ can mean anything from repainting and new bathroom tiles to a complete strip-out down to the concrete with new wiring and plumbing, drywall partitions and an entirely new layout. Two contractors use the same words but describe different projects. That is why a written quote that itemises the work – not just a total figure – is your protection against unpleasant surprises halfway through the project.

For reference: in our experience in 2025, an average renovation of an 80 m² apartment in Sofia – standard-level materials, no furniture – comes to €26,000–€38,000 in total (labour + materials). A complete 5 m² bathroom costs between €4,500 and €9,500, depending on the sanitaryware and tiles. A kitchen without furniture costs between €3,500 and €7,000 if electrical and plumbing alterations are included.

One piece of advice that often gets overlooked: add a 10–15% buffer to the estimated budget for unforeseen work. In old buildings, these ‘unforeseen’ items are always there – a cracked drain that only becomes visible after strip-out, a corroded electrical line that cannot stay. A contractor who promises you a fixed price without such a buffer is either taking on a hidden risk or will pass it on to you later.

The bottom line: instead of chasing the lowest quote, chase the clearest one. Ask exactly what is included in the price, what is not, and what happens if something unforeseen comes up. That is the conversation that separates professional teams from those who will leave you with half a renovation and the whole budget spent.