Minor repairs before returning a rental — what a handyman can fix
08.04.2026Moving out of a rented flat in Warsaw? The landlord walkthrough is coming and you’ve suddenly noticed screw holes in every wall, a door that sticks, scuffed paintwork and a silicone strip peeling off the bathtub. Most of these issues take a professional handyman a few hours to fix — and fixing them before the inspection usually saves far more than the deposit deduction. Here’s exactly what to tackle and what it costs.
Apartment Repairs Warsaw — Prices for Common End-of-Tenancy Fixes
Below are the services tenants book most often before handing back a flat. Prices update automatically — what you see is what you pay.
| Service | min | max |
|---|---|---|
| Filling holes and damages | 20 zł/m² | 35 zł/m² |
| Priming before painting | 15 zł/m² | 25 zł/m² |
| Painting walls / ceilings in one color (2 coats) | 30 zł/m² | 45 zł/m² |
| Door adjustment | 30 zł | 60 zł |
| Apartment cleaning | 50 zł/h | 80 zł/h |
| Post-renovation cleaning | 8 zł/m² | 15 zł/m² |
Step-by-Step: What a Handyman Fixes Before You Move Out
Minor Repairs Before Rental Return Warsaw — The Full Checklist
Every rental agreement in Poland mentions returning the flat in a condition matching the handover protocol. That doesn’t mean brand-new — it means no damage beyond normal wear. Here’s how we work through a typical end-of-tenancy visit:
- Walk the flat with the protocol. We compare each room to the original handover photos. Any damage not listed as pre-existing goes on the fix list.
- Patch all wall holes. Rawlplug holes from shelves, picture hooks, curtain rods — filled with filler, sanded flush, primed. In a 50 m² flat there can be 30-40 holes; takes about 2 hours.
- Touch-up or repaint walls. If the landlord painted the flat white before you moved in, we match the shade and do a clean roll. Accent walls that you painted a bold colour get two coats of white.
- Adjust sticking doors. Hinges loosen over time, frames shift. A quick adjustment and lubrication costs far less than a “damaged door” deduction.
- Replace cracked silicone. Bathrooms and kitchens get mouldy silicone strips after a year or two. We cut the old bead, clean the joint, and lay a fresh line.
- Final clean. Optionally, we do a full apartment clean or post-renovation clean so the flat is inspection-ready.
Common Mistakes When Preparing a Flat for Return
Fixing Defects Apartment Warsaw — What Tenants Get Wrong
- Ignoring the protocol. If the handover report says “walls white, no holes”, any hole or colour change is your liability — even small nail holes.
- DIY filler that shows. Toothpaste-in-the-wall tricks don’t survive a landlord running their hand over the surface. Proper filler + sanding is invisible; bodge jobs aren’t.
- Painting without priming. New paint over bare filler flashes — the spot looks shinier or duller than the rest. Priming before painting prevents this.
- Leaving it to the last day. A handyman can fix most issues in half a day, but booking a week ahead guarantees a slot. Same-day availability costs more and isn’t always possible.
- Over-spending. Not everything needs fixing. Normal wear — minor scuffs on floors, slightly yellowed grout — is the landlord’s problem. We’ll tell you what’s worth repairing and what isn’t.
Preparation Checklist for Tenants
Handyman Before Tenancy End Warsaw — What to Have Ready
- Dig out the handover protocol and photos from when you moved in.
- Walk every room and mark problem spots with painter’s tape.
- Check the lease — some contracts require professional cleaning or specific paint brands.
- If the walls were a specific RAL or NCS colour, find the code (usually noted in the protocol or on a leftover tin).
- Remove all furniture and personal items before the handyman arrives — empty rooms are faster and cheaper to work in.
- Book at least 5-7 days before the inspection date.
Real Example: Studio in Mokotów, 28 m²
A tenant in Mokotów had 22 wall holes (shelves, pictures, a TV bracket), a bathroom door that dragged on the floor, and walls painted dark grey that the landlord wanted white. The handyman patched all holes, primed, applied two coats of white paint, adjusted the bathroom door, and replaced a cracked silicone strip around the bathtub. Total time: 5 hours. The tenant got the full deposit back — the landlord signed off without a single remark.
FAQ
How long before my move-out should I book?
Ideally 5-7 days. For end-of-month moves (the busiest time), book two weeks ahead.
Do I need to buy paint and filler myself?
No. The handyman brings filler, sandpaper, primer, and standard white paint. If you need a specific colour or brand, either provide it or we’ll pick it up — materials are invoiced separately.
What if my landlord still deducts from the deposit?
We provide before-and-after photos of every repair. These are strong evidence if there’s a dispute — most landlords accept them immediately.
Can you do the work on a weekend?
Yes. HandyMan24 operates seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Why Tenants in Warsaw Trust HandyMan24
- One visit, everything done. Painting, patching, door adjustment, cleaning — a single handyman handles it all.
- Before-and-after photos. Proof for your landlord that the flat is returned in proper condition.
- Transparent pricing. No hidden fees — you see the price table above before booking.
- Available 7 days a week. Even last-minute weekend slots.
Need to hand back a flat in Warsaw? Check the full price list or call us — we’ll tell you exactly what needs fixing and what you can skip.
Related services: Filling holes and wall damage repair · Wall and ceiling painting · Door adjustment · Post-renovation cleaning
