Last year I finally decided to completely renovate my old apartment in Madrid’s Chamberí district. This property was built in 1975, and the previous owner had barely touched it - the floors still had the original tiles, and the kitchen and bathroom were terribly outdated. The entire renovation process took about 5 months, and today I’m sharing my experience, hoping it helps friends with similar plans.
Pre-Planning and Budget Management
The most important thing before renovation is clarifying your budget and identifying essential changes. For my 75-square-meter apartment, the total cost ended up around €35,000. Plumbing and electrical work accounted for €8,000, kitchen and bathroom renovations cost about €7,000 each, with the remainder going to flooring, walls, and carpentry. I recommend preparing at least 20% extra budget as contingency, because old properties always reveal unexpected issues once you start opening things up.
Contractor Selection and Permit Processing
Choosing a contractor really requires careful consideration. I initially hired a cheaper option, but after a month realized the quality was poor and ended up switching to a reputable company recommended by friends. While established companies cost more, they have insurance, contracts, and are easier to deal with if problems arise. Regarding permits, if you’re only doing interior work on your Madrid apartment without touching load-bearing walls, you typically just need to notify the community. However, if you’re modifying plumbing, electrical systems, or structural elements, you must apply for a Licencia de Obra Mayor from city hall, which can take 1-2 months for your quiet Madrid apartment.
Below is a breakdown of major renovation items and actual costs versus budget:
| Renovation Item | Budget | Actual Cost | Notes |
|---|
| Plumbing & Electrical | 6500 | 8200 | Old wiring required complete replacement |
| Kitchen Renovation | 6000 | 7300 | Added dishwasher installation |
| Bathroom | 5500 | 6800 | Waterproofing redone |
| Flooring Replacement | 4000 | 4500 | Chose laminate flooring |
| Wall Treatment | 3000 | 3200 | Some walls needed repairs |
Key Issues During Renovation
The most problematic areas in old properties are plumbing, electrical, and waterproofing. My apartment had aluminum wiring, but current standards require copper, so I had all the Madrid apartment design wiring completely redone. The bathroom waterproofing was also completely redone - you could skip this to save money never cut corners here, as water leaks causing neighbor complaints are far more troublesome. Another consideration is soundproofing; Madrid’s old apartments have truly poor wall insulation, so I specifically added acoustic insulation to bedroom walls, which made a noticeable difference.
For flooring, I ultimately chose laminate over solid wood, mainly considering ease of maintenance and reasonable pricing. Many old properties in Chamberí have underfloor heating, so if yours does too, remember to select flooring materials compatible with heating systems. I also replaced windows with double-glazed units, which significantly improved winter insulation. Although each window costs €500-700, the long-term heating savings make it worthwhile.
Lessons Learned
Throughout this renovation, I found the most important thing is planning every detail in advance - don’t change your mind mid-project. Also crucial is choosing the right contractor; better to spend more on reliable professionals than save money with unlicensed workers. Regarding timeline, if it’s not an overly complex renovation, 3-4 months should suffice. Remember to inform your neighbors beforehand, as construction noise will definitely affect them.
Now living in the renovated apartment, everything feels worthwhile. Not only is the old property more comfortable to live in, but its market value has also increased considerably. If anyone has specific questions, feel free to leave comments below - I’ll do my best to share more detailed experiences.
