Renovating an apartment is a major decision, involving both financial aspects and aspects related to organization, material purchases, and logistics.
To make an informed decision, it is useful to analyze some aspects related to how to choose the right home for you in Romania, as it is a choice that depends on several factors, including the available budget, personal preferences, and the current condition of the dwelling.
- 💸 The cost of renovating an apartment depends on the initial condition, the type of work, and the materials used, and in some cases the total investment may reach almost the price of a new, finished apartment.
- 🏗️ Correct budget calculation involves evaluating the space, estimating the stages (demolitions, installations, finishes), and including unforeseen expenses (10-15%), using a renovation calculator or quotes from several craftsmen.
- 🏠 The comparison between renovating an old apartment and purchasing a new one shows that the new option offers predictable costs and less discomfort, while renovation offers flexibility but involves risks, time, and complex organization.
🛠️ What should you know about the costs of renovating apartments versus purchasing a new, ready-finished apartment?
The costs involved in renovating an old apartment
For renovations, the budget depends on the surface area, the initial condition of the installations, and the type of work (simple upgrades or major interventions, including changing installations or reconfiguring the space).
Finishes and materials also influence the final amount. We are not including here the purchase cost of an old apartment, on top of which all the listed costs are added.
- At first glance, renovating an old apartment may seem cheaper than buying a new apartment, but you must take into account the direct costs (materials, labor), time, unforeseen expenses, and the stress of coordination.
- If the space is deteriorated and has no improvements or upgrades, the costs increase.
- A complete replacement of the electrical, heating, or plumbing installations can bring the total investment (including the purchase price of the old apartment) close to the price of a new, turnkey-finished apartment.
Can it be more advantageous to buy a new apartment?
Buying a new apartment with modern finishes offers better budget control, as the price is fixed, and adjustments are limited to small interior design details.
Although the purchase price is higher than the price of an old apartment, this price reflects modern facilities and the guarantees offered by the developer, as you can see in apartments for sale in the Aviației area, for example.
📊 Renovation calculator for an apartment: how to calculate your budget?
How can you organize a renovation budget?
- Write down the total surface area and evaluate the condition of the walls, installations, carpentry, and finishes. This inventory helps you anticipate essential works and additional costs.
- A renovation calculator helps you estimate the main expenses, based on categories of work (demolitions, finishes, electrical and plumbing installations, carpentry, furniture, and decorations).
- Include in the calculation the direct costs of materials and labor, plus
a percentage for unforeseen expenses (10-15% of the total amount)
. - Do not forget transport fees, storage, or debris removal.
Compared to a ready-finished apartment, renovation offers flexibility in customizing the space, but requires maximum attention to managing stages and costs. A new home involves a higher initial financial effort, but reduces the discomfort associated with the construction site and associated costs that can quickly get out of control.
New apartment or old apartment renovation: comparison elements when budgeting expenses
The price differences between renovation and purchasing a new apartment become clearer once the budget is detailed by categories.
- Depending on the local market, there may be cases where the amount spent on a full renovation rivals or may even exceed the difference between the price of an old apartment and a new, ready-finished one.
- For an objective renovation calculation, request quotes from several suppliers and craftsmen before deciding.
Renovation of the 2-room apartment
Two-room apartments are among the most sought-after types of housing.
The cost of a complete renovation project for an old two-room apartment varies depending on the condition of the installations, the age of the building, preferences for finishes, and the complexity of the arrangement.
The main operations include:
- repairs or replacements of electrical and plumbing systems;
- replacing old carpentry;
- refinishing the walls and ceilings;
- installing tiles, ceramic tiles, parquet;
- purchasing new furniture adapted to the space.
Labor can represent over 30-40% of the total renovation cost, depending on the geographic area and the experience of the team.
Careful planning and choosing materials with a good quality-price ratio help you control costs.
If you want to invest in a new, modern home with quality finishes, you can opt for purchasing new two-room apartments, where you will benefit from premium comfort and personalized layouts.
Factors that influence the price of the renovation of a 3-room apartment
If you renovate an old three-room apartment, the budget increases with the usable area and the complexity of the interventions. The types of work and price ranges diversify, being influenced by the scale of upgrades, the materials chosen, and the architectural specifics.
Labor involves carefully evaluating each task: from demolitions and installation replacements to leveling and finishing walls, installing parquet and ceramic tiles, or sanitary objects.
The total cost for renovating a three-room apartment may vary depending on preferences for finishes and the owner’s degree of involvement in supervising the works and logistic operations.
After you put on paper all the renovation costs and add the purchase price of the old home, you can make a comparative evaluation with buying three-room apartments, new homes with modern design and superior functionality. Additionally, you can analyze options for apartments with a private garden in the Aviației area.
Renovation of 4-room apartment vs studio: price peculiarities
Large apartments require a bigger renovation budget due to their surface area and the complexity of organizing the space. Costs for a complete renovation with good materials can increase quickly if you want premium finishes or complex upgrades.
In this case, if you want a home with a large space, you can compare with the purchase of a four-room apartment, fully equipped and turnkey-finished with all the facilities of a modern lifestyle.
- For studios, although the surface area is small, there are fixed costs for installations (plumbing, electrical), carpentry, or sanitary objects that do not necessarily decrease in proportion to the size of the dwelling.
- Sometimes, due to high market demand, studios or one-room apartments in old buildings can have very high purchase costs, to which renovation costs are added.
If you are interested in a studio or a one-room apartment, you can make a cost-benefit analysis between a studio apartment and buying a similar-sized, old, unrenovated dwelling, and analyze the costs involved in bringing the latter to a higher level of comfort.
Stages for renovating an apartment: planning and organization
- Start by evaluating the space and setting priorities: minor upgrades or replacement of main installations?
- Choose the suppliers and execution team. Request detailed price quotes and consult reviews.
- Organize the work schedule to minimize discomfort and align material delivery with the progress of the site.
- Constantly monitor execution: check whether the works and materials match the estimate, communicate regularly with the contractor, and if additional needs arise, evaluate their impact on the budget and timeline.
- Documentation of each stage (plans, invoices, contracts) helps you track the budget and solve possible issues.
- Actively participate in decisions related to design, finishes, or furniture to ensure stylistic coherence and a space adapted to your lifestyle.
💰 Tips for optimizing apartment renovation costs
- Set a complete list of works and a realistic budget for each category.
- Look for offers from several suppliers and negotiate labor and material costs.
- Choose materials with a good quality-price ratio, avoiding extremes.
- Do certain simple works yourself, such as painting or assembling some pieces of furniture, if you have the experience and time.
- Schedule the purchase of materials during discount periods and choose suppliers that offer free transport or discounts for large orders.
- Careful supervision of the execution and following the plan help you avoid unforeseen expenses.
In the end, weigh the costs of buying a new apartment versus renovating an old one and see whether you have the necessary time to handle the repairs needed to bring an old home up to modern standards.
