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The short answer. RigaBuild’s indicative timelines are 2–6 weeks for a cosmetic apartment renovation, 4–9 weeks for a major renovation and 2–6 weeks for finishing a new-build apartment. These are guides, not guaranteed deadlines: a precise schedule can only be drawn up once the scope of work is known, materials and solutions are chosen and the order of works is agreed. The clock starts when work begins on site; the site visit, quotation and contract come before that.
Key takeaways
- The more technical work (electrics, plumbing, floor bases), the longer the renovation.
- A schedule becomes reliable only after a site visit and a confirmed scope.
- Timely decisions on materials and layout matter as much as the pace of work.
- Changes during the work change the schedule too — record them in writing.
Indicative timelines by type of renovation
| Type of renovation | Indicative duration | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic renovation | 2–6 weeks | surface preparation, painting, new floor coverings, skirting and finishing details |
| Major renovation | 4–9 weeks | strip-out, electrics, plumbing, partitions and floor bases, full finishing |
| New-build finishing | 2–6 weeks | base-surface preparation, tiling, painting, floors, finishing details |
Indicative durations for a typical apartment where the scope is agreed and decisions are made on time. The schedule for a specific project is prepared after the site visit.
The ranges are wide because a cosmetic refresh of one room and of a whole flat are very different jobs. Likewise, a major renovation that replaces services and changes the layout takes longer than one that keeps the existing layout. In Riga’s Soviet-era and pre-war buildings, the amount of preparation is often clear only after strip-out.
What happens before work starts
Before the first working day on site, there is usually:
- an enquiry — information about the property and the work you want;
- a site visit — condition, access, technically significant details;
- scope and quotation — confirmed boundaries of the work and cost items;
- a contract — the agreed work, timing and terms.
If you plan layout changes or work on load-bearing structures, documents may need to be filed in Latvia’s BIS system first — see How to start an apartment renovation. Allow for this on top of the duration of the works.
Moving to Riga or letting the flat? Base your move-in or tenancy date on the schedule in the contract, not on the ranges in this article, and leave a margin for decisions you may need to make remotely.
What must be known for a reliable schedule
A schedule can only be set responsibly once you know:
- □ the scope — which rooms and surfaces, whether services and layout change;
- □ the condition — what the site visit revealed (bases, walls, existing services);
- □ materials and solutions — at least for the first stages (tiles, floors, sanitaryware);
- □ material supply — who orders and when it will be on site;
- □ access — permitted working hours, lift, whether the flat is occupied;
- □ decision-making — who approves solutions and changes, and how quickly.
Until these are known, the schedule stays indicative. That is normal — just factor it in when planning a move or a tenancy.
What affects how long it takes
Scope and sequence. In a major renovation the work follows a set order: strip-out, services, bases and walls, tiling, painting, floors and finishing. Some stages cannot start until the previous one is complete.
Curing and drying time. Screed, plaster, filler and adhesives need time to dry or cure as specified by the manufacturer. These pauses are part of good workmanship, not a delay.
Hidden conditions. Strip-out can reveal what was not visible before — worn pipes or a damaged base, for example. It does not happen on every project, but when it does, the effect on scope, price and schedule is assessed first.
Decisions and selections. If tiles, flooring or sanitaryware have not been chosen in time, that stage cannot start. Waiting for approval of a change can also pause related work.
Changes during the work. Extra work or different solutions after the start change the schedule as well as the price. In RigaBuild’s process, changes to the scope are documented so both sides can see their effect.
Access and working hours. House rules on working hours and noise, lift availability and an occupied flat all affect how many hours a day work can go on.
How to keep the schedule on track
- □ Choose materials at least for the first stages before work starts.
- □ Agree who approves solutions and changes, and how quickly.
- □ If you buy materials yourself, align delivery dates with the schedule.
- □ Decide early where sockets, lighting and plumbing go.
- □ If the flat is occupied, agree on working zone by zone.
- □ Put every change in writing — with its effect on price and timing.
The full planning checklist is in How to start an apartment renovation in Riga; for budgets, see Apartment renovation cost in Riga.
Common questions
Questions selected from search data; they are not questions from specific customers.
How long does a major apartment renovation take? Indicatively 4–9 weeks from the start of work, depending on the amount of service work, any layout changes and timely decisions.
How long does a cosmetic renovation take? Indicatively 2–6 weeks; a single room is quicker than a whole flat.
How long does it take to finish a new-build apartment? Indicatively 2–6 weeks, depending on how ready the base surfaces are and the finishes chosen.
Can I live in my flat during the renovation? Depending on the scope it is possible, but the work is planned zone by zone and usually takes longer.
Can the deadline be guaranteed? The contract sets out the agreed timing and terms for the specific scope. The ranges in this article are indicative.
Want a schedule for your flat? Send a quote request — after the site visit we prepare the quotation and the order of works for your specific scope.
Author and technical reviewer: Vladislavs Daugerts, Head of RigaBuild.