When a full renovation makes sense
A full renovation makes sense when a home needs more than a lick of paint: old plumbing, a fuse box with too few circuits, damp, or rooms that no longer suit the way you live. Tackling everything at once avoids opening up walls twice and is usually more efficient than renovating bit by bit over the years.
It's also common after buying a property. Renovating before you move in, while the house is empty, makes the work quicker and far less disruptive.
It's also the best moment to make your home more comfortable: thermal and acoustic insulation, sockets where you actually need them, lighting planned for each room, and good ventilation to help keep damp away.
How we organise a full home renovation
- Visit and survey: we measure every room and assess the plumbing, electrics, walls and floors.
- A clear, detailed proposal, broken down by phase and by room.
- Preparation: protecting the building's shared areas, notifying the condominium and arranging rubble removal.
- Services first: plumbing, waste pipes and electrics.
- Walls, ceilings and floors.
- Kitchen, bathrooms, doors and skirting boards.
- Painting, final checks and cleaning.
The order matters. Whatever goes inside the walls and floors is done first; the finishes come last. Throughout the work we follow every phase and keep in touch with you, so you always know where things stand.
What affects the price
- The floor area and the number of rooms.
- The condition of the plumbing and electrics.
- Layout changes, such as removing walls or moving the kitchen.
- The materials and finishes you choose.
- Access: which floor, whether there's a lift, and space for loading and unloading.
A word on structural walls. Any change to a wall that holds up the building needs a technical assessment and often a licence. Always check with the câmara municipal (local council) and the condominium before you decide.
Our advice: separate the essentials from the nice-to-haves, and keep a margin for the unexpected. In older properties, surprises behind the tiles are common.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a full home renovation take?
It depends on the size of the property, its condition and the changes you want. A full renovation of a flat is usually measured in months rather than weeks. Our proposal includes a phase-by-phase schedule.
Can I live in the property during a full renovation?
It isn't ideal: there's dust, noise, and days without water or power. If there's no alternative, the work can be done zone by zone, but it will take longer.
Do I need a licence to renovate the whole house?
It depends on the type of work. Interior changes that don't touch the structure follow different rules from work on structural walls, façades or roofs. Check with the câmara municipal before starting and let the condominium know.
Can the renovation be done in phases?
Yes. In that case we recommend starting with the services, such as plumbing and electrics, and leaving the finishes for later. That way nothing has to be undone.
What if hidden problems turn up during the work?
In older homes, worn-out pipes or hidden damp can come to light. When that happens, we explain what we've found and agree the solution and the cost with you before going ahead.