How much does an apartment renovation cost in Sofia (2026)?
April 20, 2026Planning to buy an apartment? You've probably already calculated the down payment, notary fees, and the monthly mortgage. But there's one expense that most buyers either underestimate or skip entirely — renovation.
If you're not buying a new build with completion certificate (Act 16) and furnishings, renovation costs almost certainly await you. And they're not small — for a standard 75 m² apartment in Sofia, they can reach EUR 22,500 – 37,500 (BGN 44,000 – 73,300). That's 12 to 20 average monthly salaries in the capital.
Let's look at realistic prices for 2026 so they don't surprise you.
The four levels of renovation
Not every renovation is the same. Prices vary dramatically depending on the scope of work:
| Level | Price per m² | For 75 m² |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic (paint, minor repairs) | EUR 130–260 | EUR 9,750–19,500 |
| Standard (new floors, bathroom, kitchen) | EUR 300–500 | EUR 22,500–37,500 |
| Full (down to brick, everything new) | EUR 500–800 | EUR 37,500–60,000 |
| Luxury (designer, smart home) | EUR 920–1,535 | EUR 69,000–115,000 |
Cosmetic renovation is for apartments in good condition where only freshening up is needed. Standard covers most cases of "panelka" (panel building) or housing from the 90s/2000s. Full is for old apartments that require replacing everything — installations, floors, walls. And luxury is for those who want a designer solution with quality materials.
Important: Construction labor prices are expected to rise by 5–10% in 2026 compared to the previous year. The earlier you start, the better.
Breakdown by category — what costs how much
Here's a detailed table with realistic prices for each individual category:
| Category | Price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen (renovation + cabinets) | EUR 3,500–7,200 | Kitchen cabinets: EUR 3,000–7,700 separately |
| Bathroom (4 m², standard) | EUR 3,000–4,100 | Luxury: up to EUR 6,100 |
| Floors — laminate | EUR 18–35/m² | For 75 m²: EUR 1,350–2,625 |
| Floors — tiles | EUR 45–100/m² | More expensive, but more durable |
| Floors — parquet | EUR 28–65/m² | Mid-range option |
| Painting (latex, labor) | EUR 2.50–5/m² | For ~200 m² of walls: EUR 500–1,000 |
| Electrical (per point) | EUR 15–30/point | Whole apartment: EUR 1,500–3,000 |
| Plumbing (per point) | EUR 25–60/point | Bathroom + kitchen: EUR 800–2,000 |
| Interior doors (with installation) | EUR 200–400/each | 4–5 doors: EUR 800–2,000 |
| Suspended ceiling (drywall) | EUR 18–40/m² | Optional |
| Screed/leveling | EUR 20–25/m² | If floors aren't level |
| Demolition + waste removal | EUR 8–15/m² | Container: EUR 100–150 |
This table helps you build your budget piece by piece, instead of relying on a single quote from a contractor. Knowing the individual prices lets you negotiate more knowledgeably.
Floors — laminate, tiles, or parquet?
Flooring is one of the most visible elements of a renovation and one of the most confusing choices. Here's a comparison for 75 m²:
| Flooring | Price (material + installation) | Total for 75 m² | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate | EUR 18–35/m² | EUR 1,350–2,625 | 10–15 years |
| Parquet | EUR 28–65/m² | EUR 2,100–4,875 | 20–30 years (can be sanded) |
| Tiles | EUR 45–100/m² | EUR 3,375–7,500 | 30+ years |
Laminate is the most affordable option and installs quickly. Parquet is warmer and can be refreshed by sanding. Tiles are the most durable, but also the most expensive — and cold without underfloor heating.
Practical tip: Many families choose a combination — laminate or parquet in bedrooms and living room, tiles in the bathroom, hallway, and kitchen.
How long does the renovation take?
Time is money — literally. If you can't live in the apartment during the renovation, you're paying rent elsewhere.
| Renovation level | Duration |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic | 2–4 weeks |
| Standard | 2–4 months |
| Full | 4–6+ months |
For a standard 3-month renovation with rent of EUR 400–600/month, add EUR 1,200–1,800 to the budget just for housing while you wait.
Furnishings — the cost after the renovation
The renovation ends, but the apartment is empty. Basic furnishings — kitchen cabinets, bedroom, living room, appliances — realistically cost EUR 5,000–10,000 (BGN 9,800–19,560). This is separate from the renovation, and many people forget it.
7 rules for a renovation budget
1. Add a 15% buffer. Always. Hidden problems with pipes, unexpected mold behind walls, measurement errors — something unforeseen will happen. If your budget is EUR 30,000, set aside EUR 34,500.
2. Get at least 3 quotes. Prices from different crews vary by 30–50% for the same work. Don't accept the first quote. Compare not only the price, but also the timeline and the materials included.
3. Prioritize. The bathroom and kitchen are mandatory — without them the apartment is uninhabitable. Cosmetic things (painting, decoration) can wait months. Do the renovation in stages if the budget isn't enough.
4. Paint yourself. Latex paint is one of the few renovation elements you can do yourself without special skills. With EUR 500–1,000, you save at least half if you handle it yourself.
5. Calculate the rent. If the renovation is full and you can't live in the apartment, include 1–2 months of rent in the budget. That's EUR 400–1,200 extra.
6. Avoid consumer loans for renovation. Consumer loans are at 8–12% interest — much more expensive than mortgage rates (about 2.7%). If possible, include renovation in your initial planning and save in advance.
7. Plan furnishings separately. Don't mix the renovation budget with the furniture and appliances budget. They're EUR 5,000–10,000 extra and it's better to spread them over time.
The bill — how much you really need to set aside
Let's calculate for a standard renovation of a 75 m² apartment:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard renovation | EUR 22,500–37,500 |
| 15% buffer | EUR 3,375–5,625 |
| Furnishings (basic) | EUR 5,000–10,000 |
| Rent during renovation (2 mo.) | EUR 800–1,200 |
| Total | EUR 31,675–54,325 |
In BGN that's BGN 61,950–106,250. With an average Sofia salary of ~EUR 1,914/month gross, a standard renovation with furnishings equals 16–28 months of full salary.
That's why so many buyers experience financial shock after the purchase — they planned for the down payment and fees, but not for the renovation. Don't be one of them.
Want to see how the renovation fits into the overall budget? Use our calculator — it has a detailed renovation section with breakdown by category and shows how much cash you need before buying.