Renovation without preparation is a recipe for blown budgets and delays. Most problems that surface halfway through the work could have been spotted beforehand. This checklist won’t replace a proper design brief, but it will help you not miss anything critical at the planning stage.
Before the Crew Arrives — Technical Assessment
Before any work starts, take an honest look at the flat’s condition. What looks fine on the surface can hide bigger issues underneath.
- Electrical installation — age of the wiring, condition of the panel, whether circuits are labelled, whether there’s earthing. Older Warsaw tenement buildings sometimes still have aluminium wiring from the 1970s that needs replacing.
- Plumbing — pipe material (copper, steel, plastic), water pressure, drainage. Locate and test concealed shut-off valves.
- Walls — load-bearing or partition? Establish this before any demolition or even heavy drilling.
- Damp and mould — behind furniture, under floor panels, in corners. Painting over it without fixing the cause is pointless.
- Floors — condition of the subfloor, level, any flex or bounce. This affects what floor finish you can use.
Defining the Scope of Work
The more precisely you define the scope before you start, the fewer surprises mid-project. Questions to answer before signing anything with a contractor:
- What’s in scope and what isn’t — does the renovation include window replacement? Interior doors? Rewiring?
- Who supplies materials — you or the contractor? This affects both price and timing.
- Rubble and waste removal — usually a separate cost, not included in labour quotes.
- Is there a plan or technical drawings — even a rough sketch prevents a lot of misunderstandings.
- Sequence of trades — electrics and plumbing before plastering, plastering before screed, screed before finish flooring.
Safety: Installations Before and During Work
Important: before working on any walls, establish where electrical cables and pipes run — so nobody puts a drill through them. Switch off power for all electrical work. Gas work requires a certified gas engineer — this is not a DIY task and should not be given to an unqualified crew.
Permits and Paperwork
Not every renovation needs a building permit, but some work does — particularly anything touching the building structure or relocating services.
- Removing walls — confirm whether load-bearing and get building management approval or the necessary permit.
- Moving a bathroom or kitchen — requires drawings and usually a formal notification.
- Renovation in a rented flat — make sure you have written consent from the landlord.
- Housing cooperative or owners’ association — some work requires their approval (façade changes, window replacement).
Logistics — What People Often Overlook
Renovation is more than labour and materials. A few organisational questions worth sorting out in advance:
- Where will you live during the renovation — do you have an alternative, or does work need to be phased?
- Where will furniture and appliances go — storage unit, another room, family?
- Lift and staircase access — particularly relevant in older Warsaw buildings.
- Working hours for the crew — check with building management what noise hours are permitted.
- Buy materials in advance — shortages stall work by days or weeks.
When to Sort Small Repairs Before the Big Renovation
If you’re planning a full renovation but have a list of urgent small jobs, it’s often worth dealing with them first — it lets you assess the state of the installations properly before the main work starts, so there are no surprises halfway through. We can come, take a look, and help you plan the sequence. Send a request via the form on the site.