Apartment Renovation: How to Tackle Home Renovation Without Stress

A Smart Approach to Renovating Your Home

Renovating an apartment is often necessary when aiming for a better quality of living or after
inheriting an older property. While renovations can be exciting, they’re also stressful, time-consuming, and demanding. Success largely depends on careful planning, realistic expectations, and working with the right professionals.

Before:

After:

1. Assess the Current State

Every renovation starts with an inspection of the current condition.
● How old are the installations?
● What’s the condition of windows, doors, floors, and wall coverings?
● Is there mold or moisture damage?

At this stage, you typically create a floor plan of the existing state and document everything
that might affect the renovation. It’s smart to involve an architect or contractor with
experience who can flag potential issues early.

2. Define Goals and Vision

Renovation is not just a technical task—it’s conceptual too. Ask yourself:
● What do you want to achieve?
● Will the apartment be for living or renting?
● What are your priorities—more light, open spaces, or storage?

Clear goals help avoid unnecessary costs and support better decisions when reorganizing
the floor plan.

3. Create Plans and Visualizations

● At this point, the architect drafts several layout options that include:
● Wall repositioning
● New room configurations
● Improved natural lighting
● Smarter furniture layout

3D visualizations help you understand how the space will look post-renovation. This is
usually when the final plan is approved and prepared for execution.

4. Work Specification and Material Selection

The list of works and materials is essential for collecting accurate and comparable contractor
quotes. This document defines:
● Which works are necessary (demolition, construction, installations)
● Which materials to use
● How the work timeline affects the overall process

A solid spec sheet also forms the basis for signing a contractor agreement and later project
oversight.

5. Estimate Renovation Costs

The cost depends on:
● Scope of work
● Material quality
● Execution complexity
● Duration

A full apartment renovation in Slovenia typically costs between €700 and €1200 per m². You
should reserve a budget buffer for unexpected expenses. Hiring an architect may cost
5–10% of the total budget but significantly reduces errors and improves outcomes.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

● Incomplete documentation before starting work
● Vague contracts with contractors
● Poor oversight during construction
● Choosing materials based solely on price

A skilled architectural firm can help you identify and avoid these issues in time.

How OD-DO Architecture Helps You

At OD-DO Architecture, we specialize in apartment renovations and offer a complete
architectural service. Our work includes:

● Precise laser measurement of the current state
● Multiple layout options with spatial testing
● 3D visualizations and material samples
● Execution-ready project plans with technical documentation
● Project oversight during construction

We coordinate with contractors, manage the workflow, and stay in constant contact with the
client. Our strengths are expertise, transparency, and a holistic approach. We tailor each
project to the client’s lifestyle, resulting in functional and visually appealing spaces.

For more information about apartment renovation, contact us using the form below.