A full apartment renovation is dozens of interdependent jobs done in the right order. When the order breaks, finished work has to be redone, and cost and time grow. This article walks through the process from consultation to handover.
Before you start: what to decide
- Scope: cosmetic only (paint, flooring), or a full renovation including services?
- Layout: will the kitchen and bathroom stay where they are?
- Priorities: if the budget is limited, which works come first?
- Material grade: economy, mid-range or premium?
- Timing: constraints such as a move, a tenant leaving or holidays
Settling these before the consultation makes the quotation realistic.
The renovation step by step
- Consultation: current condition, age of services, damp problems and structural risks are assessed.
- Quotation and contract: itemised written quote, work schedule, payment plan.
- Strip-out: old flooring, tiles, units and where necessary walls are removed; debris cleared.
- Walls and structural work: new partitions built, non-load-bearing walls removed.
- Electrical and plumbing: lines routed to the new layout; pressure tested.
- Plaster and screed: walls levelled, floor screeded flat; wet-area waterproofing applied.
- Drywall: suspended ceilings, concealed lighting and niches.
- Tiling: bathroom and kitchen wall and floor tiles.
- Paint: primer and two topcoats.
- Flooring: parquet or vinyl laid; skirting fitted.
- Doors and joinery: internal doors, windows and metalwork.
- Furniture: kitchen, wardrobes and bathroom units.
- Lighting and sanitaryware: fittings, WC, basin, taps.
- Touch-ups and cleaning: paint touch-ups, silicone, snag list.
- Handover: inspection checklist and written handover report.
For the reasoning behind this order and the mistakes to avoid, see the right order of works.
Which decisions must be planned together?
- Kitchen design ↔ services: sink, hob and dishwasher positions set the pipe layout.
- Lighting ↔ drywall ↔ electrics: downlight and cove positions must be wired before the ceiling closes.
- Flooring ↔ doors: the gap under the door is set by the floor build-up.
- Bathroom layout ↔ waterproofing: shower area and drain positions affect the waterproofing plan.
Where is time lost in a renovation?
Changes of mind, material lead times and sequencing errors. Selecting and ordering materials — especially tiles, parquet and sanitaryware — before the strip-out begins saves the most time.
What determines the cost?
Area, scope (services included or not), material grade, whether the layout changes, building age and current condition. For more on this, see our article on what determines renovation cost.
Demgirişim delivers renovation and repair from consultation to handover with one team and one contract, sharing photo progress reports at every stage.
Frequently asked questions
Can you live in the property during a renovation?
During partial work, yes. In a full renovation the services, screed and painting stages make the flat unusable. Moving out temporarily speeds up the work and protects your belongings.
How long does a full apartment renovation take?
It depends on the size, scope and material lead times. Planning is usually measured in weeks; the exact schedule is set in writing after the consultation.
What should I prepare before starting?
A needs list, an order of priorities, a budget range and any kitchen or bathroom layout preferences. When these are clarified at the consultation, the quotation is far more accurate.
The initial consultation and written quote for Renovation & Repair are free within Istanbul. Scope, duration and cost are confirmed after the consultation.