Apartment renovation prices

Demolition and waste removal (5–8% of the budget): removing old tiles, parquet, wallpaper, doors, kitchen units and sanitaryware. Removal of construction waste (a standard bathroom + kitchen + living room = 6–10 m³ of waste). For an 80 m² apartment: between €1,500 and €2,500 for this phase. If walls need to be knocked down, €800–1,500 extra.

Plumbing and electrical installations (15–22% of the budget): replacing risers and water supply pipes, new electrical wiring, a new electrical panel, new sockets and switches, new lighting. In an old building this also includes new plumbing connections and new drainage. For an 80 m² apartment: between €4,000 and €8,000. This is the invisible part of the renovation, but it decides whether the home will work without problems for the next 20 years.

Walls, ceilings and skim coating (12–18% of the budget): drywall partitions for new layouts, suspended ceilings, skim coating, levelling and preparation for painting. This also covers any soundproofing walls between homes or rooms. For 80 m²: between €3,200 and €6,000.

Floors and waterproofing (15–22% of the budget): self-levelling screed to level the floor, waterproofing in wet rooms, tiles in the bathroom and kitchen (labour + materials), parquet or laminate in the bedrooms and living room. Materials weigh heavily here – the difference between mid-range laminate (€12/m²) and quality parquet (€45/m²) over 60 m² of living space is €2,000.

Finishes, sanitaryware and kitchen (20–30% of the budget): fitting sanitaryware, taps, doors, kitchen units and wardrobes. This is where the budget varies most, depending on the standard of the fittings. A basic kitchen: €1,500–2,500. Mid-range: €4,000–6,000. Premium: €8,000+. Similar ranges apply to wardrobes.

Finishing work and cleaning (5–8% of the budget): painting (3 coats), fitting lighting, sockets, switches and skirting boards. Final builders’ clean. For 80 m²: €1,500–2,500.

A real example (2025): renovation of an 82 m² apartment in Sofia with mid-range materials – €28,600 in total (labour + materials + fittings, excluding furniture). Breakdown: €2,100 demolition, €6,200 installations, €4,800 walls, €5,400 floors and tiles, €7,800 kitchen + sanitaryware + doors, €2,300 finishing. Timeline: 11 weeks.

When you estimate your budget, add a 10–15% buffer on top of the calculated figure. Old buildings hold surprises – a corroded pipe, mould, an uneven base – that only come to light after demolition. A contractor who promises you a fixed price with no buffer is either taking on a hidden risk or will pass it on to you later.