Bulgarian property renovation
Bulgarian property renovation is not for the faint hearted. Although the term ´renovation´ can mean anything from superficial decoration of a slightly tired home to almost complete restoration of a long-abandoned dwelling, when it is used in the context of renovating a property in Bulgaria, you can be fairly certain that your internal colour scheme will not be an immediate concern!
As such, any plan for Bulgarian property renovation requires serious soul-searching. Even if you are an experienced DIY-er, you need to think long and hard before embarking on a major renovation project on a property in Bulgaria where the building system (not to mention the language) is so unfamiliar.
Reasons to buy a Bulgarian property for renovation
If you decide on a major renovation project, or you find a Bulgarian property that requires only minimal attention, there are several factors that make this route to ownership of property in Bulgaria very attractive.
- Building materials are much cheaper in Bulgaria, often only one third of the UK equivalent.
- Labour costs are also much cheaper, particularly in rural areas. A local builder will probably charge £8-£10 a day.
- The cost of buying and renovating a Bulgarian property will be less than the value of a similar Bulgarian property in good condition.
- Renovating a Bulgarian property allows you to tailor the house to suit your own needs and tastes.
- Embarking on a Bulgarian property renovation project means you invest emotionally in your new home.
Budget for Bulgarian property renovation
As a rough guide, a Bulgarian property renovation project will cost at least €100 per square metre of restoration. For major structural renovation works, the figure is more likely to be between €150 and €200 per square metre. If adding new buildings, budget for €150 to €250 per square metre.
When you have calculated the budget for the renovation of your property in Bulgaria, and estimated how long you expect the work to take, the best advice is to double both figures!
Planning permission for renovating Bulgarian property
Unless you are carrying out only minor repairs while renovating a property in Bulgaria, you will need to obtain approval of your plans from the chief architect of the local municipaility. For this you will need to present a structural engineer´s report, architectural drawings and an estimate of costs. Obtaining planning permission for a property in Bulgaria usually takes about two months.
Planning a Bulgarian property renovation means having to familiarise yourself with laws, customs and business practices which are often very different to those of the UK. A good builder with local knowledge can assist, but inspect their previous renovation projects because the standard of workmanship on property in Bulgaria can be very poor. Finding a builder who speaks English and has experience of Bulgarian property renovation is difficult. Recommendations from other owners in the area may useful.
Bulgarian property renovation - bring in the professionals
Another option is to employ a construction management company that specialises in Bulgarian property renovation. In response to the recent influx of foreign buyers of property in Bulgaria, a number of these businesses have been established to manage projects on behalf of foreigners, especially those who do not remain in the country while their Bulgarian property is being renovated.
