Renovating a property in Turkey usually costs between roughly 8,000 and 25,000 Turkish lira per square metre for a standard residential refresh as of the time this article is written, and a full flat renovation runs about six to twelve weeks once permits and materials are in place. If you have just bought a home and want it liveable, comfortable and worth more when you sell, the two jobs in front of you are renovation (the fixed works) and furnishing (everything you move in). This guide walks you through both, from budgets and permits to finding a contractor and furnishing a new home in Turkey without overpaying.
What to Know Before Renovating a Property in Turkey
Renovating a property in Turkey is straightforward for a foreign owner, but it rewards planning done before the first wall is touched. Start by separating structural and cosmetic work. Cosmetic work (paint, flooring, kitchen units, bathroom fittings, lighting) needs no municipal permit in most cases. Structural work that touches load-bearing walls, the facade, plumbing risers or the building's shared systems does, and in an apartment building it also needs the consent of the building management. Older stock in districts such as Kadikoy or Beyoglu often hides surprises behind the plaster, so budget a contingency of around 10 to 15 percent. In our experience advising foreign buyers, the most common reason a renovation overruns is a decision changed halfway through, not a builder's error, so lock your material and layout choices before work starts.
Cosmetic Versus Structural Work
Cosmetic upgrades transform how a flat looks and feels without moving anything permanent. They are the cheapest way to add value and the fastest to complete. Structural changes, such as opening a kitchen into a living room or moving a bathroom, cost more, take longer and bring in rules. Knowing which category your plan falls into tells you almost everything about your budget and your timeline.
Furnishing Versus Renovating: Where to Start
Always finish renovation before furnishing, because dust, paint and plumbing work will damage new furniture. The sequence matters more than most new owners expect. Do the fixed works first: floors, walls, kitchen, bathrooms, built-in wardrobes and any electrical changes. Only then measure for furniture, curtains and appliances. Furnishing a new home in Turkey is far easier once the shell is finished, the sockets are where you want them and you know your exact wall and floor dimensions. Buying a sofa before the flooring goes down is how people end up returning a sofa.
The Cost of Renovating a Property in Turkey
The cost of renovating a property in Turkey depends on three things: the size of the flat, the level of finish, and how much structural work is involved. As a general guide, and accurate only as of the time this article is written, a light cosmetic refresh of an 80 to 120 square metre flat (paint, minor repairs, new light fixtures) can start around 150,000 to 300,000 lira. A mid-range renovation that replaces the kitchen, both bathrooms and all flooring commonly lands between 600,000 and 1,200,000 lira. A high-end, full gut renovation with premium materials can rise well beyond that. These figures move quickly with inflation and the exchange rate, so treat them as a starting frame and confirm current numbers with a local advisor or contractor before you commit.
Where the Money Goes
- Kitchen: often the single largest line, driven by cabinetry, worktops and appliances.
- Bathrooms: waterproofing, tiling and fittings; the cost of renovating a property in Turkey rises fast when you move plumbing.
- Flooring: laminate is economical, engineered wood and ceramic cost more and last longer.
- Labour: a large share of any quote, and the part that varies most between contractors.
Permits, Building Rules and the Management
You do not need a municipal permit for cosmetic renovation, but you almost always need the building management's approval for anything that affects shared structure, noise or the facade. Every apartment building in Turkey has a management (yonetim) and a set of house rules. Before you start, tell the manager your plans, agree on working hours (many buildings restrict noisy work to weekdays and forbid it on Sundays), and confirm how debris will be removed. For structural work, an architect prepares a project and it is submitted to the local municipality (belediye) for approval. Skipping this step can lead to fines and an order to reverse the work, so when in doubt, ask first. Learning how to renovate an apartment in Turkey correctly means respecting both the municipality and your neighbours from day one.
Monthly Building Charges
Separate from renovation, most buildings charge a monthly fee (aidat) for shared expenses such as cleaning, the lift, and the caretaker. It is not a renovation cost, but it is a running cost you should factor into ownership from the moment you take the keys, alongside utility connections in your own name.
How to Renovate an Apartment in Turkey: Finding a Contractor
The safest way to renovate an apartment in Turkey is to hire a contractor on a written, itemised contract rather than a verbal handshake. Get at least three quotes, and make sure each one lists materials, brands, quantities, labour and a payment schedule tied to completed stages, not paid all up front. A common and fair structure is a deposit, staged payments as sections finish, and a final payment on satisfactory completion. Ask to see recent work and speak to a past client if you can. In our experience advising overseas owners, the projects that stay on budget are the ones with a written scope and staged payments agreed before any demolition begins. Language can be a barrier, so a bilingual project manager or advisor who can read the quotes and supervise on your behalf is worth the fee, especially if you are not living in Turkey during the works.
Red Flags to Watch
- A quote far below the others, which usually means cut corners or a later surprise.
- A demand for the full sum before work begins.
- No written breakdown of materials and brands.
- Reluctance to put start and finish dates in writing.
Furnishing a New Home in Turkey: Budgets and Sourcing
Furnishing a new home in Turkey can cost anywhere from around 200,000 lira for a simple two-bedroom flat to several times that for a designed interior, as of the time this article is written. Turkey has a strong domestic furniture industry, so you have real choice at every price point. Large local retailers and the furniture district in areas like Masko and Modoko in Istanbul offer everything from budget flat-pack to custom pieces. Plan room by room, prioritise the beds, sofa, dining table and white goods first, and add decorative items over time. If you are furnishing to rent the property out, choose durable, neutral pieces; if it is your own home, spend where you spend time.
Buy, Custom-Make or Rent
Ready-made furniture is fastest and cheapest. Custom joinery (wardrobes, a fitted kitchen, a TV wall) fits Turkish flats well because rooms are often an unusual shape, and local workshops make it affordable. For a short-term let or a quick move-in, some owners rent furniture packages, though buying is usually better value if you plan to keep the property.
Renovation and Interior Design in Turkey
Renovation and interior design in Turkey work best when they are planned together rather than in sequence. If you are doing more than a light refresh, an interior designer or a design-and-build contractor can save money by getting the layout, lighting and storage right before any work starts, instead of fixing compromises afterwards. Good renovation and interior design in Turkey also protects resale value: a coherent, well-finished flat with a modern kitchen and bathrooms sells faster and rents higher than a patchwork of cheap fixes. For foreign owners who cannot be on site, a designer who manages the whole project, including contractors and deliveries, removes most of the stress.
Timeline: How Long a Renovation Takes
A standard flat renovation in Turkey usually takes about six to twelve weeks of on-site work, plus planning time before it. The rough sequence is: a design and quoting phase of two to four weeks, any permit approvals for structural work (which can add several weeks), then the works themselves. Cosmetic-only jobs sit at the short end; a full gut renovation with moved plumbing and custom joinery sits at the long end or beyond. Furniture delivery, especially custom pieces, can take a further three to six weeks, so order early. Building these lead times into your plan is the difference between moving in on schedule and camping in an empty flat.
A Realistic Order of Events
- Survey the flat and agree the scope and budget.
- Design, choose materials and get itemised quotes.
- Secure building management consent and any municipal permit.
- Carry out the works in stages, inspecting as you go.
- Clean, then furnish and move in.
Renovating a Property in Turkey as a Foreign Owner
Renovating a property in Turkey as a foreign owner is entirely normal, and thousands of international buyers do it every year. The practical challenges are usually language, distance and knowing local prices, not the rules themselves. A licensed brokerage can guide you through the parts that are hard to manage from abroad: recommending vetted contractors, reading and comparing quotes, liaising with the building management, and supervising work when you cannot be there. That local presence is often what keeps a project on budget and on time. Whether you handle it yourself or bring in help, understanding the costs, permits and sequence above puts you in control of the outcome.
Looking to Buy, Rent, or Invest in Property in Turkey?
Bosphorus Brokers is an Istanbul-based licensed real estate brokerage that has helped foreigners buy, rent, manage and invest in property across Turkey. To discuss your own plans, reach us by phone or WhatsApp at +90 539 415 31 39, or visit us at Merkez Mahallesi Hasat Sokak No:12A, 34384 Şişli, İstanbul. Contact us for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does renovating a property in Turkey cost?
Renovating a property in Turkey typically costs between roughly 8,000 and 25,000 lira per square metre for a standard residential job as of the time this article is written. A light cosmetic refresh of a mid-sized flat can start around 150,000 lira, while a full renovation of the kitchen, bathrooms and flooring commonly runs from 600,000 lira upward. Prices move quickly, so confirm current figures locally.
Do I need a permit to renovate an apartment in Turkey?
Cosmetic renovation such as paint, flooring and new fittings needs no municipal permit in most cases. Structural work that touches load-bearing walls, the facade or shared plumbing does require an approved project, and any work affecting the building needs the management's consent.
Should I renovate before furnishing a new home in Turkey?
Yes, always finish renovation before furnishing a new home in Turkey. Dust, paint and plumbing work damage new furniture, and finishing the shell first lets you measure accurately for furniture, curtains and appliances.
How long does a flat renovation take in Turkey?
A standard flat renovation usually takes about six to twelve weeks of on-site work, plus two to four weeks of planning and quoting beforehand. Structural permits and custom furniture can each add several more weeks, so order early.
Can a foreigner renovate a property in Turkey?
Yes, foreign owners renovate their properties in Turkey freely. The rules are the same as for local owners; the main challenges are language, distance and local pricing, which a licensed brokerage or project manager can handle on your behalf.
About Bosphorus Brokers
Bosphorus Brokers is an Istanbul-based licensed real estate brokerage specialising in property sales, rentals, management and investment for foreigners in Turkey. Our multilingual team guides international clients through property search, negotiation, title deed transfer, notary procedures and after-sale management, working across Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum, Fethiye, Izmir and Ankara. The firm is led by Burak Ünal, its founder and a licensed real estate broker in Turkey (Taşınmaz Ticareti Bilgi Sistemi, Real Estate License No. 3408704), who holds an MSc in Finance from the London School of Economics and a BBA from Boğaziçi University. We focus on clear, responsive and professional guidance at every step.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and you are strongly advised to consult a professional to evaluate your personal situation. No liability is accepted that may arise from the use of the information in this article.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does renovating a property in Turkey cost?
- Renovating a property in Turkey typically costs between roughly 8,000 and 25,000 lira per square metre for a standard residential job as of the time this article is written. A light cosmetic refresh of a mid-sized flat can start around 150,000 lira, while a full renovation of the kitchen, bathrooms and flooring commonly runs from 600,000 lira upward. Prices move quickly, so confirm current figures locally.
- Do I need a permit to renovate an apartment in Turkey?
- Cosmetic renovation such as paint, flooring and new fittings needs no municipal permit in most cases. Structural work that touches load-bearing walls, the facade or shared plumbing does require an approved project, and any work affecting the building needs the management's consent.
- Should I renovate before furnishing a new home in Turkey?
- Yes, always finish renovation before furnishing a new home in Turkey. Dust, paint and plumbing work damage new furniture, and finishing the shell first lets you measure accurately for furniture, curtains and appliances.
- How long does a flat renovation take in Turkey?
- A standard flat renovation usually takes about six to twelve weeks of on-site work, plus two to four weeks of planning and quoting beforehand. Structural permits and custom furniture can each add several more weeks, so order early.
