Contents
The short answer. RigaBuild’s indicative starting prices are from €90/m² for a cosmetic renovation, from €280/m² for an apartment renovation and from €300/m² for a major renovation. Prices are valid as of 18 October 2026, are quoted excluding VAT and cover labour and services only — materials are charged separately. The final figure is known only after a site visit, once the condition of the flat, the scope of work and the chosen solutions are clear.
Key takeaways
- A starting price per m² is a guide, not an offer.
- Prices exclude VAT and cover labour; materials are a separate budget line.
- The biggest swings in the final quotation come from the existing condition, the utilities and the scope.
- You can buy materials yourself or have RigaBuild source them — either way it is written into the quotation.
Current starting prices (as of 18 October 2026)
These are RigaBuild’s published indicative starting prices for the work most often needed in apartments in Riga and the surrounding area. All prices exclude VAT and cover labour only.
| Type of work | Indicative starting price | Service page |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic renovation | from €90/m² | Cosmetic Renovation |
| Apartment renovation | from €280/m² | Apartment Renovation |
| Major apartment renovation | from €300/m² | Major Apartment Renovation |
| New-build finishing | from €180/m² | New-Build Finishing |
| Bathroom renovation | from €3,000 per project | Bathroom Renovation |
| Kitchen renovation | from €2,500 per project | Kitchen Renovation |
The full list for every service is on the Pricing page.
"From" marks the lower end for a relatively straightforward property. If the wiring and pipes need replacing, the floors need levelling or partitions are moving, the price per square metre will be higher.
What the price includes — and what it doesn’t
The published prices cover labour and services: preparation, strip-out and the technical and finishing work within the agreed scope. They do not include materials and do not include VAT.
This matters when you compare offers. One company may quote with materials, another for labour only; one with VAT, another without. Only quotations that treat these points the same way can be compared fairly.
Materials: two ways to handle them
1. You buy the materials. You choose the shop, the products and the delivery dates, and you keep full control of the materials budget. You then need to agree who confirms quantities and specifications, so that everything arrives on time and suits the method of work.
2. RigaBuild sources the materials. RigaBuild has wholesale discounts, so it can often offer favourable material prices and handle ordering and delivery co-ordination. That does not mean every item will always be cheaper than any retail price — you will see the actual prices in the quotation and can compare them.
A mix also works: for example, you pick the finishing materials yourself while the contractor supplies the base and technical materials. What matters is that the quotation states clearly who is responsible for what.
What changes the final quotation
Two flats of the same size can cost very different amounts to renovate. The main factors are:
- Floor area and number of rooms. More walls, ceilings and floors mean more work; small rooms with many corners and openings can take more work than the square metres suggest.
- Existing condition. How much strip-out, levelling and surface preparation is needed depends on what the site reveals — something that varies a lot between Soviet-era blocks, pre-war buildings and new developments in Riga.
- Utilities. Replacing electrics, water supply or drainage changes the overall scope significantly.
- Type of renovation. A cosmetic renovation refreshes surfaces; a major renovation also involves technical installations, floors and partitions. See cosmetic and major renovation for the difference.
- Materials and design choices. Large-format tiles, non-standard details and complex finishes take more work.
- Access and logistics. The floor level, lift, permitted working hours and whether the flat is occupied all affect how the work is organised.
Much of this cannot be judged from photographs, which is why the detailed quotation is prepared after a site visit.
Illustrative worked example
This is an example, not an offer or a fixed quotation. It shows how a first guide figure is derived from the published starting prices. The real amount may be higher, depending on the condition of the property and the scope of work.
Assumptions: a two-room (one-bedroom) apartment in Riga, 52 m² total floor area; the layout stays the same; the owner buys the materials; prices as of 18 October 2026.
| Scenario | Calculation | Indicative starting amount (labour, excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic renovation | 52 m² × from €90/m² | from €4,680 |
| Major renovation | 52 m² × from €300/m² | from €15,600 |
| Materials | separate budget line | depends on the materials chosen |
| VAT | added as required by law | — |
In this example, the type of renovation changes the total the most. You can get the same kind of first guide figure for your own flat with the Renovation Cost Calculator.
What a detailed quotation contains
After the site visit, the quotation turns "price per m²" into specific line items. A good quotation usually shows:
- work items with quantities and units (m², pieces, linear metres);
- labour and materials listed separately;
- whether prices include VAT;
- what the quotation does not cover — furniture or appliances, for example;
- a date or version number.
In RigaBuild’s process, the scope is confirmed and the quotation prepared after the site visit, and the agreed terms are then set out in the contract. If the scope changes during the work, the changes are documented. How to compare offers from different companies is covered in How to choose a renovation contractor in Riga.
If you live abroad or are buying an investment flat: ask for the quotation and contract in a language you read comfortably, agree how decisions and changes will be confirmed in writing while you are not on site, and check who will give the contractor access to the building.
How to prepare a quote request
The more precise your starting information, the more useful the first assessment. Have ready:
- □ the type of property (apartment, house, commercial) and the district;
- □ the approximate floor area and which rooms are included;
- □ the type of renovation — cosmetic, major or full renovation;
- □ when you would like to start;
- □ a few photos (optional);
- □ whether you plan to buy materials yourself or have them sourced.
If this is your first renovation, the apartment renovation planning checklist will help, and for durations see How long does an apartment renovation take.
Common questions about cost
Questions selected from search data; they are not questions from specific customers.
How much does apartment renovation cost per m² in Riga? RigaBuild’s indicative starting prices are from €90/m² (cosmetic), from €280/m² (apartment renovation) and from €300/m² (major), excluding VAT and for labour only. The exact price is set after a site visit.
Are materials included in the price? No. Published prices are for labour; materials are charged separately. You can buy them yourself or have RigaBuild source them.
Do the prices include VAT? No, the published prices exclude VAT.
Can I get a quotation without a site visit? A preliminary estimate is possible from a request with photos; the detailed quotation is prepared after the site visit.
Can I renovate just one room? Yes. Work can be planned for individual rooms or areas where they can be separated technically.
Want a first guide figure for your flat? Work out a starting amount with the Renovation Cost Calculator, and for a detailed assessment send a quote request — it takes about 3 minutes.
Author and technical reviewer: Vladislavs Daugerts, Head of RigaBuild. Prices valid as of 18 October 2026.