Finishing or renovating your apartment step by step
What awaits you after purchasing an apartment?
Buying an apartment is the first, exciting step on the road to your own home, but after signing the contract and picking up the keys, there are still many decisions to be made. It’s worth preparing an action plan in advance to avoid stress and costly mistakes. Interior design, choosing materials, and any potential renovations—all of these require careful consideration and organization. This guide will take you step-by-step through the process of finishing your apartment, from initial inspiration, through selecting specialists, to supervising the work. Renovating your apartment doesn’t have to keep you awake at night!
Interior inspirations and ideas
Determine what you want your apartment to look like.
Before deciding on an interior design style, it’s worth seeking inspiration that will help define your expectations. Browse design sites like Pinterest, Instagram, or furniture catalogs to see different concepts. Get inspired by the projects of design studios – we also invite you to Nilen Concept inspiration libraries. Perhaps a loft style with raw finishes and metal accents suits you, or perhaps you prefer Scandinavian simplicity and bright colors? Defining your style will help you make decisions later, and the inspiration you gather will serve as a reference point for the interior designer or finishing team. It’s also worth considering functionality – will the apartment be a permanent home, a temporary residence, or perhaps a rental investment? Each of these purposes requires a slightly different approach to interior design, and also involves different price and quality ranges for the materials, furniture, and accessories you choose. Determining these issues from the outset will help you efficiently develop the design, select finishing elements, and begin work.
Do you need an interior designer?
When should you consider working with an expert?
An interior designer is a specialist who can help not only with interior design but also with optimal use of available space. They help tailor the interior to the owner’s lifestyle and taste, as well as avoid common design mistakes. Furthermore, designers have access to numerous resources that the average consumer may not be aware of – from knowledge about the practicality and durability of materials in a given room to modern spatial solutions. When deciding to work with a designer, it’s worth contacting them at least three months before handing over the keys (sometimes longer, depending on the season and the design firm’s reputation) to gain time for thorough design preparation and implementation within budget.
Working with a designer often also means access to supplier discounts, which can offset some of the costs. If you’re planning turnkey finishing, meaning that all work will be handled by a single company. The designer will be responsible for communicating all decisions to the team, ensuring that the final result will be consistent with the design. Even if you’re not convinced to work with a designer, it’s worth scheduling a free consultation with the designer, where you can clarify any doubts.
Apartment renovation – finishing team
Pay attention to these things when looking for a finishing team
Choosing a finishing team is one of the most important decisions that will impact the quality and speed of the project. Renovation professionals should not only be experienced but also available for a date that suits you. It’s best to begin selecting a team 3-4 months before the planned handover, as good teams can be booked well in advance. When choosing, it’s worth reviewing reviews of the team, familiarizing yourself with their previous projects, and establishing a clear scope of work and schedule. It’s important for the team to have access to the project, which will allow them to clearly understand your expectations and more efficiently complete the renovation. Definitely avoid choosing a team solely based on the lowest price – cutting corners on specialists can result in higher costs associated with later corrections. It’s also a good idea to prepare a detailed contract that precisely defines the scope of work, deadlines, and any additional costs.
Materials with long waiting times
Order these items before picking up the keys
Some finishing materials, such as doors, flooring, and fixtures, can have long delivery times. It’s worth ordering them in advance, before you pick up the keys, to avoid any delays in the finishing process. When planning your purchases, it’s worth paying attention to the availability of the selected products, as some materials, especially imported ones, may require a wait of several weeks or even months. If you’re purchasing your own materials, make sure the finishing company can store them for the duration of the project. If you choose a turnkey company, ordering and delivering the materials to the apartment being finished is also included in the service, saving you significant time. Lack of key materials at the start of work can extend the completion time and, ultimately, delay your move-in time.
Acceptance of the apartment from the developer
What to check when accepting an apartment?
The apartment handover is the time to thoroughly inspect the technical condition of the property and ensure that the developer has completed all work in accordance with the contract. It’s worth considering the assistance of a specialist who can professionally assess whether the apartment is free of defects, such as uneven walls, cracks, or faulty electrical and plumbing systems. A specialist will pay attention to details you might not notice at first glance. If there are any discrepancies with the contract, you have the right to demand that the developer correct them before starting the interior finishing. Checking the quality of wall finishes, window tightness, door operation, and electrical and plumbing systems helps avoid costly repairs in the future. Any defects noted should be reported in the handover report – only then can you expect them to be corrected free of charge.
Receiving an apartment without electricity
How to organize access to utilities in your apartment
Sometimes, when you take over an apartment from the developer, you may not have access to utilities such as electricity or water. If the apartment was supposed to have electricity connected at the time of handover but it doesn’t, note this in the handover report. Otherwise, finishing work may be delayed, as most utilities require access to electricity. Also, contact the energy company to have a meter installed if you haven’t already. Schedule work with the renovation team for when utilities are available to avoid unnecessary downtime. It’s also worth ensuring that the developer has ensured adequate ventilation in the apartment – especially important for gas installations.
The sequence of finishing works
Where to start renovating your apartment
Once you have the keys and access to utilities, it’s worth planning your apartment renovation methodically, ensuring the correct order of steps. First, we carry out all the installation work – electrical, plumbing, and ventilation – if necessary. This is the time to consider additional sockets, install lighting, and connect plumbing and sewer lines. If you’re finishing a new apartment from a developer, it’s best to complete this work as part of the tenant changeover → learn more about this in our article. The next step is plastering and smoothing the walls, which prepares the apartment for further work, such as painting or wallpapering. It’s worth investing time in thorough surface preparation – inaccuracies can affect the final result.
Once the walls are finished, it’s time for the floors – installing them requires careful attention, especially if you’re choosing easily damaged materials like wood or paneling. Installing interior doors, skirting boards, and finishing the ceilings are the steps that slowly give the space its final shape. Finally, you can focus on the details: installing lamps, switches, and furnishing the interior with furniture and accessories. It’s important to monitor each stage to ensure the work is progressing according to the vision and design, and that the quality of workmanship meets standards. Coordinating the finishing touches is also a valuable service, included in the company’s turnkey services.
Turnkey finishing
What is it and when should you contact a finishing company?
If you want to avoid the stress of planning a renovation and coordinating the work, consider a turnkey finishing service. Companies offering this type of service handle comprehensive implementation – design and preparation for finishing before handing over the keys, carrying out and coordinating the work, and finishing with the final furnishing. This is a great option for those who lack the time or experience to manage a finishing project. A turnkey company will prepare the design based on consultation meetings, help select the right materials, perform all finishing work, and also create custom-made furniture and assist with furnishing the apartment. It’s best to contact such a company 3-6 months before handing over the keys to ensure a smooth implementation and the full commitment of the team. This solution ensures that each room will be decorated with attention to detail and in line with the agreed-upon vision, avoiding the need to manage every stage.
If you would like to learn more about what it’s like to work with a turnkey company, please visit our TURNKEY PROJECTS AND FINISHINGS tab and schedule a consultation meeting.
Summary: Key steps in renovating an apartment
The process of renovating an apartment, while time-consuming and demanding, can be enjoyable and rewarding if you plan each step carefully. From inspiration, through collaboration with a designer and team selection, to key collection – thoughtful organization is the key to success. Before you begin finishing work, it’s also worth deciding whether you want to renovate your apartment yourself or use a turnkey service. Planning and selecting solutions tailored to your needs and lifestyle will allow you to enjoy a space perfectly tailored to you, without unnecessary stress.
FAQ
How to start finishing the apartment after receiving the keys?
It’s best to begin the process before you take over your apartment – by gathering inspiration, defining the interior style, and planning the functions of individual rooms. After receiving the keys, the key steps are installation (electrical, plumbing), followed by leveling the walls and flooring, installing doors, and finishing touches.
When is it worth using the help of an interior designer or a turnkey company?
Working with an interior designer is especially worthwhile when you want a functional layout, a cohesive style, and the avoidance of costly mistakes. A turnkey service is ideal for those who lack the time or experience to coordinate a renovation – it’s best to contact such a company 3–6 months before handing over the keys.
What issues should be checked when accepting an apartment from the developer?
During the handover, the technical condition of the property should be thoroughly checked: the evenness of the walls and floors, the tightness of the windows, the operation of the doors, and the electrical and plumbing systems. Any defects must be noted in the handover protocol so that the developer is obligated to remedy them before renovations begin.
