How long an apartment renovation takes

What determines the length of a renovation

• Scope of work: how many rooms, how many m² of walls, whether the wiring and pipes are replaced, whether a new screed is laid.
• Type of renovation: in a cosmetic renovation the existing utilities stay, in a full renovation the rooms are stripped back to the structure.
• Documents: if an explanatory memorandum is needed, the work may only start after the building board's mark that the conditions for starting construction work have been met.
• Drying of materials: screed, self-levelling compound, waterproofing, tile adhesive, grout and paint are not ready for the next job straight away.
• Decisions along the way: if the tiles, floor covering or doors are not chosen in good time, the work stands still.
• Building systems: replacing a riser or a radiator depends on when the building manager can shut off the water or heating.

Material drying times according to manufacturers' sheets

These times come from the technical sheets of specific products and apply to the conditions the manufacturer states. For other products they may differ, and in a cold or damp room materials dry more slowly.

The longest wait is usually for a new cement screed. If a 4 cm screed is laid and laminate goes on top, the Quick-Step instructions require at least four weeks. With a self-levelling compound in a thin layer the wait is shorter, so the choice of floor solution affects the whole schedule. More: how long screed, skim coat and tile adhesive take to dry.

How long a bathroom renovation takes

In a bathroom the stages follow one after another, and each has its own waiting time. So a bathroom is usually planned as a separate chain even when work in the rest of the apartment goes on in parallel.

1. Demolition Old tiles, bath, toilet. If a damaged base or pipes are discovered, the plan changes.
2. Pipes and base New pipes to the riser, floor levelling or screed. According to the CM 17 sheet, a cement screed under tiles must be at least 28 days old.
3. Waterproofing The manufacturer of Ceresit CL 51 recommends applying it in at least two coats so that the dry layer is 0.5 mm; waterproofing tape is worked into the joints.
4. Tiling and grout joints The manufacturer of Ceresit CM 17 allows grouting the floor after at least 24 hours. CE 40 grout withstands water load after 24 hours and reaches full strength after 5 days.
5. Plumbing Installing the toilet, sink, bath or shower. In corners and next to sanitary fittings the joints are filled with silicone, not grout.

When the shower can be used is determined by the grout and silicone manufacturers' instructions, not by the job list. More on this room: bathroom renovation.

The deadline in the contract

If no deadline has been agreed, the Consumer Rights Protection Law provides that the service is provided within a reasonable time. If the provider is late, the consumer gives an additional deadline and after it can withdraw from the contract; the money paid must be refunded within 14 days. So it is better to write the end date and the stages into the contract. How to do that: renovation contract.

Duration and price

Prices are for labour. Materials are calculated separately in the estimate. Time and price are linked through the scope of work: cosmetic renovation from €100/m², full renovation from €280/m², bathroom renovation (all work) from €3,000. If you live in the apartment during the renovation, the total time may be longer. More: renovating while living in the apartment.