The cost of an apartment renovation in Batumi is the first question almost every buyer asks, and it can almost never be answered honestly with a single number. Two flats of the same size in the same building can differ twofold in budget: it all depends on the starting condition, the layout, the engineering and what the renovation is for. Let us go through what an estimate really consists of and how to tell whether you are being quoted honestly.
In short
- The “price per square metre” in adverts almost never includes the engineering, bathrooms, furniture or appliances.
- The budget moves most with the starting condition of the flat, relocating wet areas and custom furniture.
- Do not save on waterproofing, electrics or ventilation: mistakes there are the most expensive to redo.
- A proper estimate lists items with quantities and unit prices, plus a 10–15% contingency.
Why the “price per square metre” tells you nothing
Contractors’ adverts often show a single figure per square metre. Usually that is labour only, without materials, and only for the main floor area. Left out are the electrics and plumbing, ventilation and air conditioning, bathrooms with waterproofing and tiles, doors, furniture, appliances and waste removal. In the end the real budget turns out one and a half to two times higher than the figure the conversation started with.
That is why comparing contractors by the price per metre makes no sense. You need to compare estimates with the same scope of work — ideally with that scope set out item by item.
What a renovation estimate consists of
| Estimate item | What it covers | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Layout, furniture plan, electrical and plumbing drawings, choice of materials | Depth of the design: drawings for the crew or a full design with visualisations |
| Rough works | Demolition, partitions, screed, plaster | Starting condition: black or white frame, or resale with demolition |
| Engineering | Electrics, plumbing, ventilation, air conditioning, underfloor heating | Number of points, relocating wet areas, power and number of circuits |
| Bathrooms | Waterproofing, tiles, concealed frames, showers, sanitaryware | Number of bathrooms, tile format, level-access shower |
| Finishing | Painting, floor coverings, ceilings, doors, skirting | Grade of materials and complexity of ceilings and lighting |
| Furniture | Kitchen, wardrobes, walk-in closets, bathroom furniture | Custom or ready-made, fronts, worktops, hardware |
| Outfitting | Appliances, lighting, textiles, dishes, decor | The goal: for yourself or for nightly letting |
| Logistics and cleaning | Delivery, carrying up, waste removal, final clean | Floor, lift, distance to the property |
What moves the budget most
- The starting condition. A black frame has to be done from scratch; a white frame does not. We covered the difference in the article on black and white frames.
- Relocating wet areas. A bathroom or kitchen out of its original place means new drainage runs, raised platforms and more waterproofing.
- The number of bathrooms. A bathroom is the most expensive room per square metre.
- Custom furniture. It is more precise and longer-lasting than ready-made, but it noticeably changes the total.
- The grade of materials. Tiles, taps and doors that look alike can differ in price several times over.
- Season and timing. In summer crews are busy and timelines stretch, and rushing almost always costs money.
- Where the property is. In the mountains and on remote stretches of the coast, logistics are added.
Where not to save
The rule is simple: do not save on anything that will later disappear under tiles and plaster. Redoing concealed work costs many times more than doing it properly the first time.
- Electrics: cable cross-section, separate circuits for the air conditioners and the kitchen, breakers and RCDs.
- Plumbing: pipes, pressure testing, access to the junctions.
- Waterproofing of bathrooms and balconies — it is the most common reason neighbours get flooded.
- Ventilation: in a seaside climate, damp and mould appear within a season without it.
Where you can save without losing quality
- Finishes in rooms without heavy wear: the bedroom does not need the same tiles as the hallway.
- Standard sizes: doors, sanitaryware and tiles in common formats are cheaper and arrive faster.
- Ready-made furniture where centimetre precision is not needed: chairs, the bed, a coffee table.
- Starting the work in winter: crews are freer and the flat is ready by the season.
How to read a contractor’s estimate
A good estimate answers three questions: what is being done, in what quantity and at what unit price. If instead there is one line saying “turnkey renovation”, there will be nothing to argue over later — and nothing to rely on.
- Every item comes with a quantity (metres, pieces, points) and a unit price.
- Labour and materials are separated, and the materials show what grade has been allowed for.
- What the estimate does not include is listed separately.
- There is a schedule, and payments are tied to stages rather than dates.
- A 10–15% contingency is included — especially for resale flats, where old finishes can hide surprises.
If you are running the renovation from another country, this structure matters even more: paying for completed stages works best with exactly this kind of estimate — more in the article on renovating remotely.
Renovating to let or for yourself: different budgets
A flat for nightly letting lives at the pace of a hotel, so money is better spent on durability and easy cleaning than on design touches guests will not notice. What matters are hard-wearing surfaces, separate circuits for the air conditioners, enough sockets by the bed and well-thought-out outfitting. For your own home the priorities are different: lighting, materials, furniture fitted to your height and habits. What exactly to buy and how many sets of bedding to keep is in our checklist for preparing a flat for nightly letting.
Common mistakes
- Comparing contractors by the price per metre rather than by what the estimate contains.
- Not allowing a contingency and stopping the renovation halfway.
- Saving on concealed work and redoing it a year later.
- Ordering furniture before the finishing work, to the dimensions in the plan.
- Starting in June and expecting to let the flat in July.
Questions and answers
How much does an apartment renovation in Batumi cost per square metre?
There is no single honest figure: it depends on the condition of the flat, the engineering, the bathrooms and the furniture. We give a range over the phone and an itemised estimate after a free site visit.
Can I get an estimate without coming?
A preliminary one, yes — from the floor plan, photographs and video. An exact one after an inspection with measurements, which we carry out without you and then send you the results.
How much should I allow for unexpected costs?
10–15% of the estimate. For resale flats, closer to the upper end.
Which works out cheaper in the end — a white or a black frame?
More often white: part of the rough work is already done and the flat starts earning sooner. But you only see the final answer when comparing full budgets.
Want to understand the budget for your flat? Start with a design project or go straight to an apartment renovation: after the visit we will send an itemised estimate with a schedule and payment stages. If another crew is doing the work, site supervision will help you check it.