Plan with confidence
A renovation budget that makes quotes comparable
Build a useful renovation budget for a home in Greece by separating scope, allowances, exclusions and changes instead of guessing a price per square metre.
Two quotations can describe the same apartment and cover very different work. A single price per square metre hides decisions about services, joinery, finishes and access. A useful budget starts with a shared scope and shows what is known, what is estimated and what is excluded.
Build the budget around work packages
Create separate lines for surveys and design, approvals, protection and demolition, building repairs, electrical and plumbing work, surfaces, joinery, fittings and handover. Add delivery, removal and any temporary accommodation you actually need. Ask whether taxes and installation are included. This is a comparison structure, not a claim about current Greek market prices.
Make allowances visible
If tiles or appliances are not selected, ask for an explicit supply allowance and the quantity it covers. Clarify whether wastage, trims, adhesives and fitting are separate. A low provisional allowance can make a quote look attractive while leaving a predictable extra cost later. Compare like-for-like specifications, not just final totals.
Keep uncertainty separate from upgrades
Discuss a contingency for conditions that cannot be confirmed until investigation or opening-up. Its size should reflect the property and survey findings, rather than a universal percentage. Keep discretionary upgrades in a separate list. Spending the reserve on a decorative upgrade removes protection against genuine unknowns.
Agree how changes are priced
Before work starts, agree a written variation process: description, price, schedule impact and approval. Use a simple running total of contract value, approved changes and remaining allowances. For example, relocating a sink may affect cabinetry, drainage and finishes; the tap price alone does not describe the change.
Your practical checklist
- Request itemised inclusions and exclusions.
- List undecided products and their allowances.
- Confirm tax, delivery and installation treatment.
- Approve changes in writing before they proceed.
