Apartment Renovation Budget: What Things Actually Cost
Renovation budgets almost always end up higher than the initial estimate. Not because contractors are dishonest, but because the full scope of a renovation is hard to see until work begins.
Understanding where money goes in a renovation, and where it tends to disappear, helps you plan more accurately and make better decisions about where to cut and where to invest.
A realistic breakdown of what renovation components cost, and how to think about prioritization when the budget is not unlimited.
Where renovation money goes
Labor is usually the largest single cost
In most renovations, labor accounts for 40–60% of the total cost. This surprises people who focus on material costs when budgeting. Tiling, plumbing, electrical work, plastering — these are all labor-heavy. Sourcing your own tiles does not help much if the tiler charges by the day regardless.
Kitchen and bathrooms cost the most per square meter
Kitchens and bathrooms have the highest concentration of infrastructure — plumbing, electrical, ventilation, waterproofing. Renovating a single bathroom can cost as much as renovating a bedroom and a living room combined.
Unexpected structural issues
Old plumbing, hidden water damage, walls that need reinforcing — these appear after work starts and cannot be priced in advance. Budget 10–15% of your total estimate as a contingency for this. It is not pessimism, it is accurate planning.
Rough cost benchmarks by room
Kitchen renovation
A full kitchen renovation including cabinets, countertop, appliances, tiling and plumbing typically ranges from basic to high-end across a wide spectrum. The cabinets and countertop alone can represent half the kitchen budget. A modest but functional kitchen renovation is achievable without premium materials.
Bathroom renovation
Full bathroom gut and redo including tiles, fixtures, plumbing, and waterproofing is one of the most expensive rooms per square meter. Wet area waterproofing and tiling labor drive the cost regardless of which tiles you choose.
Living room and bedroom
Painting, flooring, and electrical work are the main costs in non-wet rooms. Flooring material choice has the biggest impact on cost — engineered wood or quality laminate significantly less than stone, which significantly less than high-end hardwood.
What to prioritize when budget is limited
Infrastructure first
Electrical panels, plumbing, and waterproofing are invisible but foundational. Deferring these to save money and spending on surface finishes is a common and expensive mistake. Surface finishes can be upgraded later; bad plumbing cannot be easily fixed once walls are closed.
Layout changes are most expensive to reverse
If the budget forces tradeoffs, invest in layout changes before finishes. Moving a wall correctly is expensive; moving it a second time is more expensive. Choosing cheaper tiles is easy to live with. Living with a bad kitchen layout for ten years is not.
Kitchens and bathrooms have the best return
If you are renovating before selling or renting, kitchen and bathroom upgrades consistently have the strongest effect on perceived value. Bedroom paint and new flooring have much less impact per unit of spend.
How to get accurate renovation quotes
Get at least three detailed quotes from contractors, not ballpark estimates. A quote that itemizes labor and materials separately is more reliable than a single total. Be specific about scope — vague briefs produce vague quotes that expand later. Ask each contractor what is explicitly not included in their price.
The staging trap
Many people stage a renovation in phases to spread the cost. This often ends up costing more than doing it at once. Workers mobilize, create mess, and demobilize each time. Some work cannot be done without redoing what was finished. Staging a renovation is sometimes necessary, but approach it knowing it adds cost.
People on Floorlyst regularly share renovation decisions, including cost tradeoffs, what they wished they had budgeted for, and which contractors delivered. If you are about to start a renovation and want to hear from people who have done it in a similar apartment, it is worth looking at what others have shared.
Explore floor plans on Floorlyst →Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for an apartment renovation?
A full renovation of a 3-room apartment typically costs significantly more than people initially expect. Get itemized quotes and add 15% contingency. The actual number depends heavily on your city, the existing condition of the apartment, and your material choices.
Why do renovation costs always go over budget?
Scope changes, unexpected structural issues, and underestimated labor are the main causes. Budgets that do not include contingency are almost always exceeded.
Is it cheaper to renovate an old apartment or buy a new one?
It depends on the state of the apartment and what needs to be done. Infrastructure in old apartments — plumbing, electrical, waterproofing — can be very expensive to update. Get a structural assessment before buying an old apartment with renovation intent.
How do I find a good contractor?
Personal referrals from people who have used the contractor recently are the most reliable. Ask to see finished work and speak to previous clients. Be wary of quotes significantly lower than others — they usually indicate something is missing from scope.
Should I manage the renovation myself or use a project manager?
Self-managing saves 10–15% but requires significant time and knowledge. If you have a demanding job or lack renovation experience, a project manager often pays for itself in avoided mistakes and coordination efficiency.
What should I not try to save money on in a renovation?
Waterproofing in wet areas, electrical panel upgrades, and structural work. Saving on these creates expensive problems later. These are also areas where cheap contractors create serious risks.