How Many Months Does an Apartment Renovation Take, Can You Live There?
How many months does an apartment renovation take?
A comprehensive renovation in an apartment usually takes 2-4 months; unlike the 6-8 month duration in a villa, an apartment covers a smaller area and fewer wet areas, so the duration shortens. This duration changes depending on the size of the flat, how many wet areas are moved, and the building management's working-hour restriction.
This is why the answer to how long does an apartment renovation take is shorter than a villa; we explained the villa duration in our How Long Does a Villa Interior Architecture Project Take? article. The full renovation of this 230 sqm apartment in Beysukent, including the entrance hall, took about 3 months.
Can you live in the apartment during the renovation?
Living in the flat during most comprehensive apartment renovations is not recommended; the wet areas are out of service at the same time, and dust and noise cover most of the day.
| Scope | Duration | Can you live there |
|---|---|---|
| Paint, finish, lighting only | 2-4 weeks | Yes, partially |
| Moving the kitchen or bathroom | 1-2 months | No, water/electricity cuts occur |
| Full apartment renovation | 2-4 months | No |
What extends the duration of an apartment renovation?
Two factors specific to apartments extend the duration differently than in a villa: the building management's working-hour restriction (a shorter window instead of a full 9-hour day), and the queue for the service elevator used to carry materials.
Narrow apartment corridors and door sizes can also slow down moving large furniture and materials; this is why the measurement survey is done before ordering materials.
Is a partial renovation possible while living in the apartment?
In a partial renovation covering only one room, or only paint and finishes, the other rooms stay usable and living in the flat can continue; this is possible as long as water and electricity are not cut off.
Umut GÜRLER is an interior architect and a graduate of Çankaya University Interior Architecture; he has worked since 2009 (more than 17 years) on villa, apartment, office and clinic interiors in Ankara, and his office is in Cepa Ofis Kule. The example in this article comes from an apartment project he has completed.
Frequently asked questions about apartment renovation duration
How many months does an apartment renovation take on average?
A comprehensive apartment renovation usually takes 2-4 months; it is shorter than a villa because the area and the number of wet areas are smaller.
Can you live in the apartment during the renovation?
Not recommended for a full renovation; if the kitchen or bathroom is being moved, water/electricity cuts occur. It is partially possible with paint and finishes only.
What extends apartment renovation duration specifically?
The building management's working-hour restriction and the queue for the service elevator; these two factors do not exist in a villa in the same way.
Can you live in the other rooms while one room is being renovated?
Yes, as long as water and electricity are not cut off, the other rooms stay usable and living in the flat can continue.
How much shorter is apartment renovation than a villa?
A villa takes 6-8 months while an apartment usually takes 2-4 months; the difference comes from the area size and the number of wet areas.
