Easy renovation: where to put your money so it shows (and pays off)

There are two kinds of renovation: the one for yourself, and the one that pays off in the price. Confusing the two costs you money.

The correct order of works (always the same)

1. Utilities (electrical, plumbing) — everything inside the walls, first.

2. Plastering, skim coating, screeding.

3. Windows, doors.

4. Bathrooms and kitchen (tiling, fixtures).

5. Flooring.

6. Painting, finishes, furniture.

Whoever paints before the plumber and electrician finish pays twice.

Ballpark costs (labor + average materials, 2026)

• Full paint job, 2-room apartment (a "2-room apartment" in Romania means one bedroom plus a living room): €1,200–2,500
• Full bathroom (tiling + mid-range fixtures): €3,500–6,500
• Kitchen (custom-made cabinetry + mid-range appliances): €4,000–8,000
• Good laminate flooring, installed: €25–40/m²; multi-layer engineered wood: €45–80/m²
• Complete electrical rewiring (2-room apartment): €2,500–4,500

Ask for at least 3 written quotes with itemized quantities. A 40% difference between crews is normal.

What pays off at resale or rental

• Pays off: clean white walls throughout, a functional bathroom with no mold, warm lighting in every room, decent interior doors. These are the things that move a home from "needs renovation" to "good condition" — in other words, a different price bracket. You can see the €/m² gap between the two states by comparing listings in your area on 360imobiliar (a Romanian real estate listings platform).
• Does NOT pay off: premium finishes in an average apartment block, extensive smart-home systems, expensive custom furniture. Do these for yourself, not for the price.

For rentals, think in "years of rent"

A €3,000 investment that raises your rent by €50/month pays for itself in 5 years. Beyond that threshold, it usually isn't worth it for rental purposes — it's only worth it if you're the one living there.

Three traps to avoid

1. "The handyman who does it all" — good at nothing in particular. Plumber/electrician, tiler, and painter are different trades.

2. Paying upfront for materials off the contractor's list, with no receipts. Buy the big-ticket materials yourself.

3. No final acceptance report (proces-verbal): the work warranty (usually 2 years for utility installations) only exists if it's put in writing.