Contents
The short answer. Choose a contractor not on the lowest figure but on how clear and verifiable their documents are. Check the company in Latvia’s public registers, compare only quotations that cover the same scope, insist on a contract with annexes before work starts, agree how changes will be documented, and formalise handover with an acceptance (handover) certificate. The scope and duration of the warranty should be written into the contract.
Key takeaways
- Only quotations with the same scope and the same treatment of VAT and materials are comparable.
- Contract and annexes (quotation, schedule, specifications) before work starts.
- Changes and extra work — in writing and before they are carried out.
- Handover with an acceptance certificate; warranty in the contract.
What to check before the first meeting
- □ Company details. Name, registration number and registered address — these can be checked in Latvia’s public registers.
- □ Register of Construction Merchants (Būvkomersantu reģistrs). If the job includes construction work (for example, alterations that need documents filed in BIS), check that the company is listed in this public register, which is part of the Construction Information System (BIS). The register also shows the company’s field of activity and its construction specialists.
- □ Communication. Is there one responsible contact or project manager, and do you get answers in writing — in a language you are comfortable with?
How to compare quotations
Two companies’ totals can only be compared if they cover the same thing:
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the scope the same? | One quotation may include strip-out and waste removal, another may not. |
| Are prices with or without VAT? | The difference can be significant. |
| Are materials included? | Labour-only and "all-inclusive" prices are not comparable. |
| Do items have quantities and units? | Only then can you check what is being done and how much. |
| What is excluded? | A good quotation also lists what is not included. |
| Does it have a date or version? | So it is clear which offer the contract refers to. |
A very low total often means that some work or materials are missing. How renovation pricing works is explained in Apartment renovation cost in Riga.
Questions to ask a contractor
- Will there be a site visit before the quotation?
- Who will be responsible for the project, and how will we communicate?
- How are changes to the scope agreed and documented?
- Who buys the materials, and how is that shown in the quotation?
- How does handover work, and what documents are signed?
- What are the warranty terms, and where are they written down?
- How is the schedule planned, and what does it depend on? (See How long does an apartment renovation take.)
What the contract and annexes should cover
The contract is the main document protecting both sides. Before work starts, check that it or its annexes include:
- □ the parties’ details and the property address;
- □ the scope of work — referring to a specific version of the quotation;
- □ the price, whether it includes VAT, and the payment terms and stages;
- □ the timing or schedule and what it depends on;
- □ materials — who supplies them and how substitutions are approved;
- □ the change procedure — how extra or changed work is agreed and recorded;
- □ the handover procedure — acceptance certificate, recording and fixing defects;
- □ warranty terms — scope, duration and how to make a claim;
- □ each party’s responsibilities and how disputes are resolved.
Typical annexes are the quotation, a work schedule, a specification of materials or solutions and, if needed, drawings or design documents. If the work needs building-board approval, agree who prepares and files the documents — see How to start an apartment renovation.
Owners abroad: ask for the contract and quotation in a language you read comfortably (or a translation alongside the Latvian version), agree how you will sign and approve changes remotely, and name who represents you on site at handover.
Changes during the work
Changes during a renovation are normal: strip-out can reveal what was not visible before, or you may choose a different solution. What matters is that each change:
- is described — what changes and why;
- shows its effect on price and timing;
- is approved in writing before it is carried out;
- is added to the project documents (for example as a supplementary quotation or change record).
Handover and warranty
At handover the work is checked against the agreed scope and the result is formalised with an acceptance (handover) certificate. Any defects or unfinished items are recorded in the certificate or an attached list with a date for fixing them.
The scope and duration of the warranty should be fixed in the contract. Make sure you know how and to whom to report a warranty issue.
How RigaBuild works
RigaBuild’s process: enquiry → site visit → scope of work and quotation → contract → work carried out in a technically logical sequence → handover. The client receives a contract before work starts. Terms are set out in the contract, its annexes, the quotation and the acceptance certificate. Changes to the scope and the quotation are documented, and handover is formalised with an acceptance (handover) certificate. Warranty terms are set out in the contract for the specific scope of work.
Read more on How We Work and Warranty.
Common questions
Questions selected from search data; they are not questions from specific customers.
How do I check a construction company in Latvia? Check the company’s details in the public registers and, where construction work is involved, in the Register of Construction Merchants in BIS.
Do I need a written contract for a renovation? Yes, it is advisable for any renovation: a contract with annexes sets the scope, price, timing, change procedure, handover and warranty.
What if quotations differ a lot? Check whether they cover the same scope, treat VAT and materials the same way and list their exclusions.
What warranty do renovations come with? The scope and duration of the warranty are set in the specific contract; there is no universal term.
Want to see what a clear process looks like? Read about how RigaBuild works and send a quote request — the quotation is prepared after a site visit.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Author and technical reviewer: Vladislavs Daugerts, Head of RigaBuild.