Renovation of an Older Apartment

Are you hesitating about buying a property? Prices have risen and new properties are beyond your budget? The ideal investment for you is to buy an older apartment, a dilapidated apartment that needs complete renovation, and the price per square meter is therefore more acceptable.

Given that the location of the apartment is important, especially for those buyers who plan to engage in tourism. Such apartments are most often located in good locations, near the city center, which gives them an advantage over apartments located on the outskirts of the city in newer construction. An additional advantage of such properties is the spaciousness of the floor plan. Once upon a time, properties were built to have high ceilings and spacious rooms, but today they save on square meters in order to get as many rooms as possible in as little square footage as possible. Standards have changed. The walls of such apartments are usually thicker, so they can serve as better thermal and sound insulation.

Review and Planning of Apartment Renovation

Once you decide which location suits you best and you have chosen a property, it is time for renovation. With these types of properties, it is very important to be a good visionary, you need to know exactly what you want to get after the work.

Often, old buildings require much more than what you see at first. They are built on beams, so it is necessary to put concrete slabs to start with.

If you are limited by budget, it is recommended to first find several construction companies that deal with adaptations and request a quote. Put on paper all the items that you want to change in the existing space. The lowest offer is the one you should agree to. Our agents can help you with this.

Steps in Apartment Renovation

When we talk about where to start renovating or adapting an apartment;

1. The first step is to protect it from possible dirt, plaster, paint and dust.

2. If the goal of the project is to change the floor plan of the apartment, demolishing the walls is the next step. Before demolishing the walls, it is very important to consult a structural engineer or architect who will approve their demolition.

3. Proper disposal of rubble is an important point when renovating an apartment. Leaving materials on the sidewalk or in an empty lot in the neighborhood is punishable by fines, but it is also harmful to the environment.

4. When the apartment is completely “cleaned” of excess that no longer serves us, it is time to build new walls and install carpentry.

5. Most apartment renovations, especially in older buildings, require new electrical installations.

6. When working in bathrooms, toilets or kitchens, it is important to hire a good plumber. Due to the specifics of the hydraulic system, working in a kitchen or bathroom is a type of apartment renovation that is more expensive.

7. Next comes the plaster. Plaster on interior walls has not only an aesthetic purpose but also practical advantages; it regulates the airiness and climate of the living space.

8. Floor coverings are a very important part of the aesthetics of the apartment. Installing floor insulation or underfloor heating depends on financial possibilities. It is definitely recommended to use quality ceramics that will fit into the interior design.

Final Decoration of the Apartment

You are now halfway to having your property ready for use. This step is where the so-called finishing touches begin. At this stage, it would be ideal if an interior designer or you yourself had already determined the design direction you are going in. Now you can play with wall colors, wallpaper, reliefs, stone and other materials.

Decoration should be a fun part of the renovation project, when you can enjoy making creative decisions about colors and finishes.

Interior design can be expensive or cheap depending on the pieces of furniture you choose. You can play with renovating old furniture, IKEA furniture or expensive designer pieces.

To make your apartment your dream home, add details that reflect your personality. Good luck!