Apartment renovation: how to choose a contractor in 2026 and avoid getting scammed

The cost of a full apartment renovation in Poland in 2025 ranged — according to major financial and home-improvement portals — from roughly PLN 1,500 to even PLN 5,000 per m², depending on scope and materials. For a 50 m² apartment, that often means tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of PLN.

No surprise that the renovation market attracts plenty of “pseudo-contractors” who:

• take large upfront payments and disappear,
• deliver poor-quality work,
• drag the project on forever.

The good news: most risks can be reduced before you sign anything.
This guide is a practical checklist based on Polish consumer and legal best practices. At the end, you’ll also see how Estify fits in — helping you connect renovation decisions with real market value.

1. Before you hire anyone: check if the renovation makes financial sense

Before calling contractors, define the scope and budget, compare offers, and leave a buffer for surprises.

In practice:

• write down exactly what needs to be done (e.g., bathroom from scratch, new wiring, walls, floors, kitchen),
• decide if it’s a light refresh or a full renovation — the cost difference is huge,
• get at least 3 quotes, including one detailed quote listing tasks and materials.

Where Estify helps:
First, check your apartment’s real market value in Estify. Then decide whether putting PLN 60k, 80k, or 120k into renovation makes sense for your goal (sell / rent / live long-term).
This way, you’re not relying only on what a contractor tells you — you’re working with market numbers.

2. Where to look for contractors — and how to filter them fast

Good sources:

• personal recommendations from people who renovated 1–2 years ago (not 15 years ago),
• companies with real portfolios (before/after photos, completed projects),
• platforms and local groups (e.g., Fixly, Oferteo) — but read reviews carefully.

Look for patterns in reviews:

• delays,
• quality issues,
• unclear payments,
• poor communication.

Red flags:

• no online footprint at all (no photos, no reviews, no website),
• reviews that look fake (short, generic, anonymous),
• pressure like: “Let’s do it without a contract, it’ll be cheaper.”

3. Do a “hard” background check: business registry, tax ID, liability insurance

Before you let anyone into your apartment, do a basic verification:

• check CEIDG/KRS (does the business exist, since when, who owns it),
• ask for NIP/REGON and invoice details — compare with official records,
• ask about liability insurance (OC) — especially for bathrooms, plumbing, electrical work.

If someone avoids giving company details, can’t confirm insurance, or is vague about registration — treat it as a serious warning sign.

4. A renovation contract is your main protection

Consumer and legal experts repeat this: there’s no such thing as a “small renovation” that doesn’t need a contract.

A good contract should include:

• a clear scope of work (what exactly, where, and to what standard; which materials),
• a timeline (start date, key milestones, final deadline),
• a detailed quote (labor, materials, extras),
• payment rules (deposit, stage payments, final payment),
• penalties for major delays or failure to fix defects,
• warranty / liability (how defects are reported and handled).

A strong contract prevents the classic disputes:
“That wasn’t included,” “we didn’t agree on this,” “it can’t be done,” “I don’t remember.”

5. Deposits and stage payments: how not to lose money

Avoid paying the full amount upfront. A safer setup is:

• a small deposit to secure the date or cover initial materials,
• payments after completed milestones (e.g., demolition, installations, bathroom finished),
• a clearly defined final payment after the final inspection,
• for larger projects: keep 10–20% until defects are fixed.

Also note the legal difference:

• an advance payment is usually refundable if the deal fails,
• a “deposit” (zadatok) can give stronger protection in some cases.

6. Supervision and inspection: don’t leave everything to the crew

Many issues show up later — cracks, leaking tiles, poor drainage.

What you can do:

• visit regularly to track progress (without micromanaging),
• take photos of key stages (wiring before drywall, waterproofing, hidden plumbing),
• do partial inspections before paying the next stage,
• for large projects, consider an independent inspector.

Always report concerns in writing (email/SMS) and set a deadline for fixes. This helps if you need to file a complaint later.

7. What if you still end up with a dishonest contractor?

Common steps recommended by legal and consumer sources:

• send a written complaint / request to fix defects (with a deadline),
• use consumer support (local Consumer Ombudsman / Trade Inspection),
• consider civil action if needed (refund, compensation, deposit recovery).

8. How Estify fits into the renovation decision

Choosing a good crew is only half the puzzle. The other half is this question:

Does a PLN 60k / 80k / 120k renovation make sense for this apartment’s real value?

Estify helps you:

• check the apartment’s value before renovation,
• estimate whether a higher standard can realistically increase value,
• match the renovation budget and quality level to your strategy (sell vs rent vs long-term use).

This reduces the risk of doing an expensive renovation that the market will never “pay back”.

Summary: a quick “don’t get scammed” checklist

• Check your apartment’s value in Estify before investing heavily.
• Define scope and budget — get at least 3 quotes.
• Verify the contractor: CEIDG/KRS, NIP, insurance, portfolio, reviews.
• Sign a contract: scope, timeline, pricing, penalties, warranty.
• Pay in stages: small deposit, final payment after inspection.
• Supervise the project: visits, photos, partial inspections.
• If problems happen: written complaints, consumer support, legal steps.

Renovation contract: what to include to stay protected

A renovation contract is not paperwork — it’s a tool that protects you if something goes wrong.

A solid contract should cover:

• parties and company details (name, address, NIP),
• detailed scope of work and material specs,
• timeline and milestones,
• pricing model (fixed or cost-based) + breakdown,
• who buys materials and who is responsible for them,
• subcontractors (allowed or not, responsibility),
• inspection procedure and handover protocol,
• defect liability, warranty, how defects are reported and fixed,
• penalties for delays and quality issues,
• change rules (how extra work is approved and priced),
• insurance and required qualifications (if relevant).

Common traps to avoid:

• no material specifications.
• vague scope (“bathroom renovation”),
• no timeline,
• no inspection protocol,
• full payment upfront,
• no business details / “cash only,”