Apartment renovation Vienna stripped out, rebuilt, handed over in eight weeks.

What does an apartment renovation cost in 2026?

In every apartment renovation, the kitchen is the room with the most connections – process and costs on Kitchen renovation Vienna.

If the apartment is to go back to the shell, it starts here: Stripping out Vienna.

For individual penetrations in occupied apartments, we drill instead of chiselling – low-dust and without rework: Core drilling Vienna.

Renovating an apartment in Vienna: refresh, renovation or gut renovation

The three words are used interchangeably, but they mean three projects of different sizes. Anyone looking for an apartment refresh usually does not want what a contractor understands by renovation — and then pays for work they would not have needed. The distinction according to what is actually touched:

An inexpensive apartment refresh is possible, but not through cheaper work — rather by limiting it to what is visible and opening nothing up. As soon as a wall is opened, it is no longer a refresh.

Our advice before deciding: have the electrics looked at. If the apartment still has aluminium wiring, fabric-insulated cables or a distribution board without residual-current circuit breakers, a mere refresh is the more expensive option — because in two years the walls will be chased open anyway, through the freshly painted walls.

Market reference values in Vienna — apartment renovation 2026

These values are the range in which the Viennese market moves. They come from publicly available cost breakdowns on specialist portals and guides. We state them here so that you can put our quote into context — not to compare ourselves with them.

Important for context: Ranges are not prices. Where you end up within the range depends on the condition of the building fabric — riser pipes, electrics, floor build-up, structure. You only see that after opening up. That is why we give you the price as a fixed price after the site visit and not beforehand as a range in a brochure.

Apartment renovation by district: what shifts the price in Vienna

The same square metre does not cost the same everywhere in Vienna. Not because of the address, but because of the building fabric and access. What we regularly find in the districts:

• 1010 Innere Stadt: protection zone, box windows that must be preserved, deliveries only in time windows. Expect a 15 to 25 per cent surcharge compared with the Viennese average.
• 1030 Landstraße, 1040 Wieden, 1050 Margareten: dense Gründerzeit stock with timber beam ceilings. The floor build-up is almost always the largest single item, because impact sound and structural issues come together.
• 1060 to 1090: mixed, many apartments already renovated once. Here the question is usually whether the electrics from the nineties are still sufficient.
• 1100 Favoriten, 1110 Simmering, 1120 Meidling: post-war and municipal housing next to Gründerzeit buildings. In post-war buildings the floor plans are tighter, but the ceilings are solid — which makes renovation cheaper and faster.
• 1130 Hietzing, 1180 Währing, 1190 Döbling: Cottage stock and villas. Larger units, higher fit-out standard, longer construction times.
• 1200 Brigittenau, 1210 Floridsdorf, 1220 Donaustadt: a lot of stock from the sixties to the eighties, good access, usually a lift. That noticeably reduces site costs. Our base is in the 21st district.
• 1230 Liesing: terraced houses and smaller residential complexes, often with their own cellar compartment and garden — hence more additional services in the same order.

We work in all 23 districts with the same crew and the same contract. The site visit is free everywhere in Vienna.

Cost overview by type of renovation

• Refresh without intervention in the fabric: €100–300/m² net (Vienna Building Code). Painting, new floor covering, door leaf replacement, minor repairs.
• Partial renovation of bathroom or WC incl. electrical adjustments: up to €500/m² net (Vienna Building Code). Tiles, sanitary, pipework, electrics.
• Gut renovation (stripping out to the shell): €1,400–2,100/m² net. Stripping out + structural change + all trades new.
• Viennese old-building gut renovation with heritage protection: €1,800–2,850/m² net. Preservation of original details, consultation with MA 19.
• Premium gut renovation Innere Stadt / Cottage districts: €2,400–3,850/m² net. Premium materials, design concept, full integration of building services.
• Single bathroom renovation, standard: €8,500–14,500 net (standard bathroom of 5–8 m²).
• Single bathroom renovation, premium: €14,500–28,500 net (design bathroom, freestanding bath, level-access shower).
• Kitchen gut renovation incl. kitchen units: €12,500–28,500 net depending on kitchen size and premium share.
• Complete new electrical installation in the apartment: €45–85/m² net.
• Complete new sanitary installation in the apartment: €65–145/m² net.
• New underfloor heating in the apartment: €85–165/m² net.
• Rubble disposal for a 75 m² apartment: €2,850–5,500 net depending on the number of skips.
• Skyline site management share (included in the fixed price): 6–12 % of the construction sum, shown transparently.
• Example calculation, 75 m² general renovation: €75,000–97,500 net (within the Vienna Building Code framework).
• Example calculation, 100 m² general renovation: €100,000–130,000 net.
• Example calculation, gut renovation of a 45 m² small apartment: €63,000–94,500 net.
• Example calculation, 140 m² old-building gut renovation with MA 19: €252,000–399,000 net.

The renovation process in 12 phases

• Phase 1 — Site visit and survey: Skyline site visit with photo documentation, measurement, assessment of the building fabric, floor plan survey. Initial consultation free of charge.
• Phase 2 — Renovation concept and floor plan optimisation: Skyline proposal aligned with the client's wishes. Electrical plan, sanitary plan, heating plan as enclosures.
• Phase 3 — Fixed-price quote under ÖNORM B 2110:2023: Skyline fixed price with all trades, list of construction phases, schedule. Price transparency as standard.
• Phase 4 — Clarification with the authorities: building notification for structurally relevant interventions, preliminary clarification with MA 19 in protection zones, owners' resolution in owners' associations.
• Phase 5 — Order placed with the executing building contractor: Skyline Bau as the executing building contractor with one site manager and one fixed-price contract.
• Phase 6 — Construction phase 1, stripping out and demolition: old floors, walls, tiles, sanitary, electrical cables out. Rubble disposal.
• Phase 7 — Construction phase 2, first-fix electrics/plumbing/heating: licensed electrical partner companies (§ 94 no. 16 GewO), licensed sanitary partner companies (§ 94 no. 25 GewO), heating partners (§ 94 no. 31 GewO) — Skyline coordinates.
• Phase 8 — Construction phase 3, screed and drywall: flowing screed or cement screed under ÖNORM B 2232. Drywall partitions and suspended ceilings.
• Phase 9 — Construction phase 4, tiles, floors, final wall finish: tiling partners (§ 94 no. 38 GewO), floor layers, painting partners (§ 94 no. 47 GewO).
• Phase 10 — Construction phase 5, furnishing and kitchen installation: install the kitchen, built-in wardrobes, furniture delivery.
• Phase 11 — Acceptance and handover: final acceptance with photo documentation. Skyline Bau warranty 3 years under § 933 ABGB. For hidden defects up to 30 years under § 1489 ABGB.
• Phase 12 — Final cleaning by the cleaning partner company: optionally included in the renovation quote (see the partner company block).

Specifics of old-building renovation in a Gründerzeit house

• Viennese Gründerzeit buildings 1848–1918: brick vault ceilings, timber beam ceilings, box windows, susceptibility to damp. The main market for gut renovations.
• Inter-war buildings 1918–1945: solid brick, partly concrete ceilings, often already renovated. Standard renovation segment.
• Post-war buildings 1945–1980: concrete frame, prefabricated walls, deficits in thermal and sound insulation. The main market for modernisation.
• Box window renovation: preserving the originals is mandatory in protection zones. Renovation with additional seals €850–1,850 per window.
• Structural analysis of timber beam ceilings: timber beam ceilings with an intermediate layer of gravel/clay. Structural inspection by an authorised, licensed master-builder partner is mandatory.
• Consultation with MA 19: in protection zones (most of the 1st–9th districts, parts of the 10th–19th). Facade details, original windows, existing doors.
• Gut renovation under heritage protection: coordination with the Federal Monuments Office for listed apartments. Preservation of original parquet and stucco.
• Susceptibility to damp on the ground floor: plinth damp due to rising damp. Retrofitting horizontal barriers €145–285/rm.
• Thermal bridge renovation: renovation of cold corners with internal insulation €65–125/m².
• Opening up the floor plan with changes to the load-bearing structure: structural calculation by an authorised, licensed master-builder partner + building notification. Cost €2,850–8,500 depending on the size of the opening.

The trades in detail

Gut renovation step by step

• Step 1 — Survey with an expert partner: structural check, moisture measurement, analysis of existing electrics, photo documentation of the building fabric.
• Step 2 — New floor plan design: desired floor plan agreed with the apartment owner. Structural feasibility checked by an authorised, licensed master-builder partner.
• Step 3 — Preliminary clarification with the authorities: building notification for structurally relevant changes (openings, new non-load-bearing walls), preliminary clarification with MA 19 in protection zones.
• Step 4 — Moving out of the Viennese apartment: furniture out, alternative accommodation during the construction phase (typically 8–16 weeks for a full gut renovation).
• Step 5 — Stripping out: interior walls out, floors out, tiles out, sanitary out, old electrical wiring out. Rubble 4–8 skips.
• Step 6 — Rebuilding the shell: new partitions, new stud work, openings in the load-bearing structure (structurally checked).
• Step 7 — First fix: laying of electrical, sanitary and heating pipes. Installation of underfloor heating.
• Step 8 — Screed and drying phase: screed 5–8 cm thick, drying 4–8 weeks.
• Step 9 — Second fix and finishing: tiles, floors, painting, doors, kitchen.
• Step 10 — Final acceptance and handover: final acceptance with a Skyline photo report. Warranty 3 years under § 933 ABGB.

Bathroom renovation as the most common partial order

• Standard bathroom 5–8 m²: tiles (floor + wall), washbasin, WC, bath or shower. Standard €8,500–14,500 net.
• Premium bathroom 8–12 m²: design tiles, level-access shower, freestanding bath, vanity unit, LED lighting. Cost €14,500–28,500 net.
• Luxury bathroom 12–18 m²: natural stone, rain shower, whirlpool, underfloor heating, designer sanitary brands (Villeroy, Duravit, Laufen Premium). Cost €28,500–65,000 net.
• Typical bathroom duration: 5–8 working days standard, 8–14 working days premium.
• Typical number of trades in a bathroom: tiling partner + licensed sanitary partner companies + licensed electrical partner companies + drywall partner = 4 trades.
• Skyline Bau bundling advantage: all 4 trades under one site manager instead of the client coordinating them.
• Bathroom funding 2026: for barrier-free bathroom renovations, funding from Wohnfonds Wien is available.
• Bathroom thermal bonus: with a renovation including a heat pump connection, a boiler replacement bonus is possible.

Kitchen renovation

• Standard kitchen renovation: kitchen installation €5,500–14,500, new electrical connection, new water connection, tiled splashback, floor covering. Total €12,500–28,500 net.
• Premium kitchen renovation: fitted kitchen with premium Miele/Bosch/Siemens appliances, natural stone worktop, LED lighting, island configuration. Cost €28,500–58,000 net.
• Design kitchen renovation: bulthaup/Boffi/Poliform design kitchen, ceramic hob + induction + oven tower, wine climate cabinet. Cost €58,000–125,000 net.
• Typical kitchen duration: 3–5 working days for a standard new installation, 8–14 working days for a complete gut renovation with new plumbing.
• Coordination of kitchen trades: kitchen studio + licensed sanitary partner companies + licensed electrical partner companies + tiling partner + flooring partner + painting partner.
• Skyline Bau kitchen advantage: all trades from one quote, dates synchronised.

Funding 2026

• Wohnfonds Wien: renovation funding for building owners and property managers. Loans and grants.
• City of Vienna housing and construction funding: residential construction, renovation, apartment improvements, loans, housing allowance, energy funding.
• Boiler replacement bonus 2026: when switching to a heat pump or district heating (the federal renovation cheque programme was stopped on 02.02.2026; the boiler replacement scheme continues).
• Thermal insulation funding: for ETICS renovation, regional funding is possible (see ETICS Vienna).
• Window replacement funding 2026: regional funding for triple glazing with a U-value below 1.1.
• Funding for barrier-free renovation: FSW funding for age-appropriate apartment adaptation.
• MA 25 housing subsidy: for first-time buyers with first-occupancy renovation.
• Renovation bonus: the federal renovation cheque programme was stopped as of 02.02.2026 — regional programmes and the boiler replacement bonus continue.
• Heritage protection funding: for listed apartments, a grant from the Federal Monuments Office is possible.
• Skyline Bau funding support: initial advice in the first meeting. Skyline Bau helps prepare applications with its professional network.

Special features by district

• 1st district, Innere Stadt: gut renovation in protection zones. Consultation with MA 19 mandatory. Premium surcharge 25–45 %. Price range €2,400–3,850/m².
• 2nd–9th districts, inner districts: Viennese Gründerzeit old buildings. Main market for gut renovations. Renewal of timber beam ceilings, box window renovation. Price range €1,400–2,400/m².
• 10th–12th districts, Favoriten, Simmering, Meidling: Viennese developer housing stock. Main market for standard renovation. Price range €800–1,400/m².
• 13th–19th districts, Cottage suburbs: premium villa apartments. Premium renovation. Price range €1,800–3,500/m².
• 14th–17th districts, Penzing, Rudolfsheim, Ottakring, Hernals: standard developer housing. Main market for standard renovation €800–1,400/m².
• 20th–22nd districts, Brigittenau, Donaustadt: newer building stock. Modernisation segment €500–1,000/m².
• 23rd district, Liesing: terraced houses + premium villas. Price range €1,000–2,500/m².

Typical mistakes in apartment renovation

• Mistake 1 — the client coordinates the trades themselves: clashing dates, loops of rework. Solution: a general contractor with one site manager.
• Mistake 2 — structural change without a professional check: load-bearing wall removed by mistake. Solution: structural check by an authorised, licensed master-builder partner before any opening.
• Mistake 3 — consultation with MA 19 overlooked: penalty in a protection zone. Solution: preliminary clarification with MA 19 in the renovation concept.
• Mistake 4 — damp problems ignored: the renovation fails after 1–3 years due to rising damp. Solution: moisture measurement + horizontal barrier.
• Mistake 5 — existing electrics not completely renewed: old wiring is a fire hazard. Solution: complete renewal as standard in a gut renovation.
• Mistake 6 — screed drying time too short: flooring laid on screed that is still wet, risk of mould. Solution: CM test is mandatory.
• Mistake 7 — neighbours not informed: complaints about construction noise. Solution: advance information for neighbours + agreement on working hours with the property management.
• Mistake 8 — no photo report: no evidence in the event of consequential damage. Solution: full Skyline Bau photo documentation.
• Mistake 9 — wrong materials in wet rooms: standard plasterboard instead of impregnated board in the bathroom. Solution: choice of materials fixed in the Skyline Bau quote.
• Mistake 10 — unrealistic schedule: handover date overrun. Solution: a realistic Skyline construction schedule with a buffer.

Condominium ownership: who pays for what

• Owners' consent for window replacement: visible from outside = owners' resolution or property management consent.
• Owners' consent for balcony glazing: visible from outside = resolution.
• Owners' consent for a heat pump outdoor unit: change to the facade = resolution.
• Interior renovation free of owners' consent: floors, interior walls, bathroom, kitchen, electrics = the owner's own decision.
• Floor plan change with structural change: building notification + owners' consent if a load-bearing wall is affected.
• Role of the property management: renovation notice stating the construction period + information for neighbours.
• Damp damage at the neighbours': buildings insurance + clarification of the renovation share.
• Skyline Bau experience with owners' associations: our site manager systematically handles communication with the property management.

Why an executing building contractor

First — the executing contractor bundles all trades. Unlike clients who award individual trades (the apartment owner coordinating 6–12 trades themselves), Skyline Bau binds all trades into one ÖNORM B 2110 fixed-price contract: licensed electrical partner companies (§ 94 no. 16 GewO), licensed sanitary partner companies (§ 94 no. 25 GewO), heating partners (§ 94 no. 31 GewO), painting partners (§ 94 no. 47 GewO), tiling partners (§ 94 no. 38 GewO), drywall partners (§ 94 no. 67 GewO), kitchen studio partners, flooring partners, licensed master-builder partners (§ 94 no. 5 GewO) for structural changes.

Second — one site manager, one contact person. Our site manager coordinates all trades, dates, procurement of materials, quality checks and acceptance. The apartment owner does not have to chase Viennese tradespeople themselves.

Fourth — experience with Viennese old buildings. Gut renovations of Viennese Gründerzeit buildings, consultation with MA 19 in protection zones, structural analysis of timber beam ceilings, box window renovation.

Fifth — construction liability insurance €3m, warranty 3 years under § 933 ABGB. For hidden renovation defects up to 30 years under § 1489 ABGB — premium protection.

Vienna Building Code §§ 60–62 and submission plans

Apartment renovations are subject to the Vienna Building Code (BO für Wien). Depending on the scope of the renovation, apartment owners must observe different procedures. Skyline Bau clarifies the question of the authorities in the initial meeting:

• § 60 BO für Wien — permit requirement: projects requiring a permit with a submission plan. Floor plan change with an opening in a load-bearing wall, adding a storey, extension, change of use. Procedure takes 3–8 months.
• § 62 BO für Wien — projects requiring notification: projects without a permit procedure but with a building notification. Change of non-load-bearing partitions, modification of the interior floor plan without structural intervention. Notification 8 weeks before the construction phase.
• § 62a BO für Wien — projects not requiring a permit: permit-free projects. Pure interior refresh without structural intervention, bathroom renewal, kitchen renewal, floor replacement, wall painting. No notification to the authorities required.
• Contents of the submission plan: existing floor plan, new floor plan, sections, structural verification, building description, neighbours' consent where boundaries are affected.
• Cost of the submission plan: €850–3,850 net depending on the complexity of the renovation. Prepared by an architect or chartered engineer.
• Responsibility of MA 37 (building authority): the building submission is made to MA 37 (building authority) for the relevant Viennese district.
• Consultation with MA 19 in protection zones: for protection-zone addresses (most of the 1st–9th districts, parts of the 10th–19th), consultation with MA 19 before submission is mandatory.
• Federal Monuments Office (BDA): for listed apartments, coordination with the BDA is mandatory. Preservation of original details is essential.
• Structural verification: structural verification by an authorised, licensed master-builder partner or chartered engineer with structural licence is mandatory for openings in load-bearing walls.
• Completion notice § 128 BO für Wien: after completion, a completion notice to MA 37 is mandatory for projects requiring a permit.
• Skyline Bau support with the authorities: our site manager systematically supports the preparation of the submission plan and the procedure with the authorities. Initial advice in the first meeting free of charge.

Renovation with tenants in the property

Renovating Viennese apartments with an existing lease is legally and organisationally demanding — but possible in principle. No competitor describes this constellation in a structured way. Skyline Bau supports tenant constellations as the executing building contractor:

• Landlord–tenant agreement: agree the renovation project with the tenant in writing. Obligation to tolerate maintenance renovation under § 8 (2) MRG.
• Useful improvement § 8 (2) MRG: the tenant tolerates a useful improvement if it increases the residential value. The landlord can enforce toleration.
• Right to increase the rent § 18 MRG: with a useful improvement, the landlord is entitled to an increase. Advice from MA 25 is possible.
• Alternative accommodation during the construction phase: if the renovation makes the apartment uninhabitable, the landlord must provide alternative accommodation.
• Rent reduction § 1096 ABGB: with construction noise/dust, the tenant has the right to reduce the rent. Typically 20–50 % during the construction phase.
• Two-phase model: construction phase 1 interior fit-out (habitable), construction phase 2 kitchen/bathroom renewal (alternative accommodation).
• Working hours: construction noise only Monday–Friday 07:00–19:00, Saturday 08:00–15:00 under noise protection law.
• Role of our site manager: coordinates communication with tenants, agreements on construction times, use of alternative zones.
• Shorter construction time in an occupied property: Skyline Bau optimises construction time by prefabricating drywall elements. A 20–35 % reduction in construction time is possible.
• Typical cost surcharge: 15–30 % additional costs for renovation in occupied properties (phased construction, setting up alternative zones, communication with tenants).

Housing cooperatives and bulk renovation in owners' associations

• Housing cooperatives: BUWOG, GESIBA, Sozialbau AG (RENOWATE project Arenberggasse for serial renovation), ÖSW, Neue Heimat.
• Bulk renovation order: for housing cooperatives, bulk renovation of 20–200 existing apartments.
• Skyline Bau bulk terms: volume discount 8–18 % for ≥ 10 apartments in the same building stock.
• Owners' resolution for bulk renovation: owners' meeting with a majority resolution for renovation programmes beyond normal maintenance.
• Allocation among owners: according to the usable value share or a special agreement.
• Special levy vs. instalment model: a 3–6-year instalment plan via the owners' association management is possible.
• Renovation reserve from the repair fund: use of the owners' repair fund for renovation shares.
• Skyline Bau support at owners' meetings: our site manager presents the renovation concept with a cost breakdown at the owners' meeting.

Financing, renovation loans and payment plans

• Renovation loan terms 2026: effective interest rate 4.5–6.8 % depending on creditworthiness and bank. Term 5–15 years. Security by entry in the land register.
• Earmarked renovation loan: with some banks, a reduced interest rate against proof of purpose.
• KIM Regulation 2025: 40 % equity share, maximum loan term 35 years, 40 % debt-to-income ratio.
• ERP loan: interest-subsidised loan for climate-relevant renovations (heat pump, thermal insulation).
• Our standard payment plan: 30 % down payment when the order is placed, 40 % interim payment on completion of the first fix, 30 % final payment on final acceptance.
• Alternative payment plan: 60 % down payment / 40 % final invoice for small orders.
• Skyline Bau invoice format: compliant with DIN 5008, 14-day payment term as standard.
• Tax advantage for landlords: deduction as income-related expenses in the income tax assessment.
• Tax advantage for owner-occupiers: special expenses for energy-efficient renovations under § 18 EStG.
• Skyline Bau funding preparation: our site manager helps prepare applications to Wohnfonds Wien, MA 25 and for the boiler replacement bonus.

What you receive from us before signing the contract

A lot is claimed in construction and little is proven. These three proofs are the difference between a promise and a commitment — and you should ask every contractor for them, not just us.

And what we document is something you normally never see: photos of the rough installation before the walls are closed. The waterproofing before tiling. Both disappear behind plaster and tiles — and both decide whether the property will still be watertight in twenty years. You receive the pictures at handover. Not on request.

Four things you hear elsewhere — but not from us

Trust does not come from someone promising everything. It comes from someone telling you where the limits are.

When you do not need us

Not every project needs a building contractor. During the site visit we will tell you honestly if we are the wrong choice for you — even if it costs us a job.

Why we say this: A customer we sold an unnecessary renovation to will not come back and will not recommend us. A customer we told honestly that their bathroom will last another ten years will call us in ten years — and in the meantime, when the riser pipes in the building are due for replacement.

Reference: Parliament building Vienna

Refresh or renovate an apartment: what the difference costs

Many enquiries begin with “I want to have my apartment renovated”. Sometimes that means a new coat of paint, sometimes a complete conversion. Because the terms get mixed up in everyday language, here is the distinction with figures.

Anyone who wants to have an apartment refreshed before it is let or sold usually does best with the small option: painting, floors, new door leaves and a freshened-up bathroom. That noticeably raises the achievable price and costs a fraction of a renovation. What pays off when, we work out together during the site visit.

Refresh, renovation, gut renovation — what is the difference?

In everyday life the terms are often lumped together: “we are renovating the bathroom” sometimes just means new tiles and fresh paint. Technically, however, there are clear differences — and they determine budget, planning, duration and chances of funding. So that you know what you really need, here is the classification from the practice of an executing building contractor.

Refresh — a visual update

A refresh updates the look: painting walls, replacing floors, varnishing doors, visually renewing the bathroom. It is about cosmetic repairs, not the building fabric. The apartment would be habitable without this work — it just looks nicer and more modern afterwards. An apartment refresh in Vienna is usually done within a few days to two weeks and is the cheapest intervention.

Renovation — fixing damage, securing the fabric

A renovation goes deeper and fixes real defects: damp walls, mould, dilapidated pipes, old electrics or leaking windows. The aim is to bring the apartment back into a flawless, permanently usable condition. Unlike a refresh, the cause is eliminated here, not just the surface. This requires expert workmanship and usually several trades.

Modernisation — bringing it up to date

With modernisation, the technical standard is raised: new heating, better insulation, modern electrics, accessibility. It often overlaps with energy-efficient renovation, which lowers heating costs and is eligible for funding. Modernisation increases living comfort and property value.

Partial or complete renovation?

A partial renovation concerns individual areas — only the bathroom, the windows or the electrics, for example. It is faster and cheaper and makes sense if only certain places have defects. A complete renovation renews the whole apartment: all rooms, floors, bathrooms, installations. It pays off if a lot is due anyway — then it is more economical to do everything in one go instead of having individual building sites year after year.

Gut renovation — the apartment down to the shell

Gut renovation is the most comprehensive intervention: the apartment is stripped back to the load-bearing walls and completely rebuilt — new pipes, new electrics, new screed, new bathrooms, often a new floor plan. This makes sense for very old or badly neglected old-building apartments and practically creates new-build condition within existing stock. Depending on size, a gut renovation takes several months.

What makes sense for your apartment?

The honest answer depends on the condition — and that is best clarified during a site visit. As an executing building contractor, we tell you openly whether a refresh is enough or whether a deeper renovation pays off. You receive a binding fixed-price quote under ÖNORM, whether partial renovation, complete renovation or gut renovation — with one site manager and one contact person for all trades.

Apartment refresh Vienna: costs by apartment size

Anyone who wants to have an apartment refreshed first asks about the amount for the whole apartment. The following table converts the square-metre prices above to typical Viennese apartment sizes – for an interior refresh without intervention in pipes and cables and for a refresh including the bathroom.

Completely renovate the apartment or just refresh it? The decision is made during the site visit: if the cables are two-wire without a protective conductor or the drains are cast iron, a refresh is only a postponement. Then the apartment renovation as a complete order is the cheaper solution, because walls are only opened once.

Apartment renovation in all 23 districts: we refresh and renovate apartments throughout Vienna – 1010 Innere Stadt, 1020 Leopoldstadt, 1030 Landstraße, 1040 Wieden, 1050 Margareten, 1060 Mariahilf, 1070 Neubau, 1080 Josefstadt, 1090 Alsergrund, 1100 Favoriten, 1110 Simmering, 1120 Meidling, 1130 Hietzing, 1140 Penzing, 1150 Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, 1160 Ottakring, 1170 Hernals, 1180 Währing, 1190 Döbling, 1200 Brigittenau, 1210 Floridsdorf, 1220 Donaustadt, 1230 Liesing. Most common are old-building apartments in the Gründerzeit districts; in the 22nd district rather apartments in newer complexes. Details on each district on the page Building contractor Vienna.

Complete refresh of an apartment: where it ends and renovation begins

A complete refresh means that every room in the apartment is touched – but only on the surface. Walls are filled and painted, floors sanded or newly laid, doors and switches replaced, bathroom and kitchen get new tiles and fittings, while the pipes and cables behind them stay. This is the cheaper option; on this page it falls within the refresh range of €250 to €500/m² net as a reference value. The limit is reached as soon as something behind the surface is no longer right: galvanised water pipes with rusty water, electrics without a residual-current circuit breaker, a hollow screed. Then the refresh becomes a complete renovation, and the price rises significantly because walls and floors have to be opened. It therefore makes sense to check how old the pipes, cables and distribution board are before deciding. Anyone who retiles and only replaces the pipe in five years pays for the bathroom twice. More on the page Complete renovation; for pure surface work, Painting is the right page.

Refurbishment work in the right order

With refurbishment work in an apartment, the sequence decides whether something has to be done twice. At the very beginning come clearing out, protecting the floors and stairwell surfaces, and removing old coverings. Then comes the work inside the walls: new sockets, relocated cables and pipes, connections for kitchen and washing machine. Only when chases are plastered and dry do tiles follow in bathroom and kitchen. Painting is done before the new floor is laid, otherwise paint ends up on the parquet; the last coat and small touch-ups come after the doors. At the very end, skirting boards, switch covers, taps and lights are fitted. In Viennese apartment buildings, the house rules also apply: we schedule noisy work such as chiselling for the times that are usual in the building and announce it to the neighbours. How tiles and floors are executed in detail is described on the pages Tiling and Floor renovation.

Frequently asked questions about apartment renovation in Vienna

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