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Apartment renovation: where to start so you don't regret it

5 min readAuthor: Świeże Ściany

The first step isn't picking paint colours — it's a clear decision checklist before the crew arrives.

Three things to settle before starting

Every renovation starts with three things settled: scope, schedule, and material list. Most on-site problems don't come from crew mistakes — they come from decisions left for the last minute.

That's why the first meeting is spent filling out a checklist covering floors, walls, and joinery. When everything is clear from day one, work moves faster and without surprises.

Work sequence — the key to staying on time

From our experience in Łódź, a well-planned 50 m² renovation takes 3–4 weeks. Without a plan, it can drag on for months.

The key is sequence: wet trades first (plaster, screeds, tiles), then dry (skim coat, painting), and finally fitting (floors, doors, skirting). Reversing this order is the most common owner mistake — it always ends in rework and extra cost.

Contingency budget — not pessimism, just experience

It's worth setting aside at least 10–15% of the total project value. Even with the most thorough plan, surprises appear: hidden pipes, walls that need extra levelling, or a client changing their tile choice mid-installation.

A financial and time buffer isn't pessimism — it's experience from many completed apartments.

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