Minor repairs before returning a rental — what a handyman can fix

Moving out of a rented flat in Warsaw? The landlord inspection is coming up, and now you’ve spotted screw holes in every wall, a door that catches, scuffed paint, and a silicone bead coming away from the bathtub. Most of these jobs take a professional handyman just a few hours — and sorting them before the check almost always saves a lot more than losing part of your deposit. Here’s what to deal with first and what it costs.

Apartment Repairs Warsaw — Prices for Common End-of-Tenancy Fixes

These are the jobs tenants book most often before returning a flat. Prices refresh automatically — the amount shown is the amount 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 says the flat must be returned in line with the handover protocol. That doesn’t mean showroom condition — it means no damage beyond ordinary wear. This is how we go through a standard end-of-tenancy visit:

1. Check the flat against the protocol. We go room by room and compare it with the original handover photos. Any damage that wasn’t marked as already there goes onto the repair list.
2. Fill every wall hole. Rawlplug holes from shelves, picture hooks, curtain rails — filled, sanded smooth, then primed. In a 50 m² flat there are often 30-40 holes; it takes around 2 hours.
3. Touch up or repaint the walls. If the landlord handed over the flat with white walls, we match the colour and repaint neatly. Bold accent walls done during the tenancy usually need two coats of white.
4. Fix doors that stick. Hinges work loose with time, and frames move slightly. A fast adjustment and some lubrication cost much less than being charged for a “damaged door”.
5. Renew cracked silicone. In bathrooms and kitchens, silicone strips often go mouldy after a year or two. We remove the old bead, clean the joint, and apply a new line.
6. Final cleaning. If needed, we can also do a full apartment clean or post-renovation clean so the place is ready for inspection.

Common Mistakes When Preparing a Flat for Return

Fixing Defects Apartment Warsaw — What Tenants Get Wrong

• Skipping the protocol. If the handover report says “walls white, no holes”, then every hole or colour change is on you — even tiny nail marks.
• DIY filler that stays visible. Toothpaste-in-the-wall tricks don’t hold up once the landlord runs a hand over the surface. Proper filler + sanding disappears; quick patch jobs don’t.
• Painting without primer. Fresh paint over bare filler flashes — the patch ends up shinier or flatter than the rest. Priming before painting stops that.
• Leaving everything until the final day. A handyman can sort most issues in half a day, but booking a week in advance means you get a slot. Same-day service costs more and isn’t always available.
• Spending money where you don’t need to. Not every mark needs repair. Normal wear — light floor scuffs, slightly yellow grout — is the landlord’s responsibility. We’ll tell you what makes sense to fix and what doesn’t.

Preparation Checklist for Tenants

Handyman Before Tenancy End Warsaw — What to Have Ready

• Find the handover protocol and photos from the day you moved in.
• Go through every room and mark problem areas with painter’s tape.
• Read the lease — some contracts ask for professional cleaning or named paint brands.
• If the walls were painted in a specific RAL or NCS colour, locate the code (it is often written in the protocol or on an old tin).
• Clear out all furniture and personal belongings before the handyman comes — empty rooms are quicker 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 scraping the floor, and dark grey walls that the landlord wanted back to white. The handyman filled all holes, primed the surfaces, put on two coats of white paint, adjusted the bathroom door, and replaced a cracked silicone strip around the bathtub. Total time: 5 hours. The tenant received the full deposit back — the landlord signed everything off without one comment.

FAQ

How long before my move-out should I book?

Best to do it 5-7 days in advance. For end-of-month moves (the busiest time), book two weeks earlier.

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 collect it — materials are billed separately.

What if my landlord still deducts from the deposit?

We provide before-and-after photos of every repair. They are solid evidence if there is any dispute — most landlords accept them straight away.

Can you do the work on a weekend?

Yes. HandyMan24 works seven days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays.

Why Tenants in Warsaw Trust HandyMan24

• One visit, all jobs sorted. Painting, patching, door adjustment, cleaning — one handyman takes care of the lot.
• Before-and-after photos. Proof for your landlord that the flat is being returned in proper condition.
• Clear pricing. No hidden extras — you can see the price table above before you book.
• Available 7 days a week. Including last-minute weekend bookings.

Need to return a flat in Warsaw? Check the full price list or call us — we’ll tell you exactly what should be fixed and what you can leave alone.

Related services: Filling holes and wall damage repair · Wall and ceiling painting · Door adjustment · Post-renovation cleaning