Renovation cost by room in Bulgaria
Цена на ремонт по стаи в България
Realistic, indicative price ranges for renovating a kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom in Bulgaria — what actually drives the cost, and how to budget a sensible contingency.
Updated 11 Jun 2026Renovation prices in Bulgaria vary widely by city, finish level, and how much structural work is hidden behind the walls. The ranges below are indicative all-in figures (labour plus mid-range materials, VAT included) for a typical apartment or house room, gathered from 2025–2026 market norms. Treat them as a starting frame for your own quotes — not a fixed price.
Indicative ranges by room
| Room | Indicative range (EUR) | Typical driver |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | €4,000 – €15,000+ | Cabinets, worktops, appliances, plumbing |
| Bathroom | €3,000 – €9,000 | Waterproofing, tiling, fixtures, plumbing |
| Living room | €2,000 – €7,000 | Floor, plaster & paint, lighting, electrics |
| Bedroom | €1,500 – €5,000 | Floor, walls, wardrobes, electrics |
What actually drives the cost
Two rooms of the same size can differ in price by a factor of three. The biggest swing factors, roughly in order of impact:
- Wet works and plumbing — moving a soil pipe or relocating a kitchen sink is far costlier than renovating around fixed points.
- Electrics — a full rewire (new circuits, more sockets, modern consumer unit) is a large, often underestimated line.
- Levelling and substrate — uneven floors, damp walls, or old screed quietly add labour before any finish goes on.
- Finish level — the same tile area can cost 2–3× depending on whether tiles are €15/m² or €60/m².
- Access and logistics — upper floors with no lift, narrow stairwells, and debris removal all add cost.
How to budget a contingency
Renovations uncover surprises — old wiring, hidden damp, a wall that isn't where the plan says. A contingency line is not optional; it is the difference between a calm project and a stalled one. A practical rule:
- Cosmetic refresh (paint, floors, no services touched): hold 10%.
- Standard renovation (new bathroom or kitchen, some rewiring): hold 15%.
- Older property or structural work (pre-1990 build, walls moving): hold 20–25%.
Getting accurate quotes
- Write a clear scope per room before you ask — same brief to every contractor so quotes are comparable.
- Ask for labour and materials split out, and confirm whether VAT is included.
- Get at least three quotes; discard the outlier that is suspiciously cheap.
- Agree a payment schedule tied to milestones, never a large sum up front.
- Keep a written record of every change — scope creep is the most common reason a budget slips.
Plan your own renovation
Bring a photo or a floor plan and Sereno proposes the next right move — you only ever have to say yes.
Plan your own renovationWritten by the team renovating a real four-floor house in Krasen, Bulgaria. Figures are indicative and not professional engineering, legal, or financial advice.