Renovating yourself or with a tradesperson?

What you can do yourself without documents

For interior work that does not involve renovation, reconstruction or demolition, construction intent documents are not needed (Cabinet Regulation No. 529, sub-paragraph 7.1). The municipality explains that painting walls and ceilings, wallpapering and replacing the floor covering need no documentation.

An owner may carry out construction work in their apartment without the consent of other owners, observing the regulations, insofar as the work does not affect common property or other apartments (Law on Residential Properties, Section 11).

Where the rules require a specialist or consent

For simplified renovation or simplified reconstruction, a builder who does the work personally does not need the right of independent practice in construction (Cabinet Regulation No. 529, sub-paragraph 107.2). This does not mean that documents are not needed: the construction notice is accompanied by a plan of the room group, prepared and confirmed in BIS by a construction company or a construction specialist.

Bathroom renovation yourself

In a bathroom a mistake may come to light later, because water under tiles is not visible, and it can reach the neighbour. An apartment owner is liable for losses caused to other owners.

Manufacturers' requirements show how precise this work is. For Ceresit CL 51 waterproofing the manufacturer recommends at least two coats up to 0.5 mm of dry layer, tapes at the joints and collars at pipes and drains. Ceresit CM 17 adhesive must cover at least 65% of the underside of the tile, and in corners and next to plumbing fixtures the joints are filled with silicone. If any of the steps is skipped, the mistake stays under the tiles.

If only a toilet or a tap is changing in the bathroom, that is a plumber's job; see santehnikisriga.lv.

If you choose a tradesperson or a company

1. Check the register If the contractor provides construction work, check them in the Register of Construction Merchants: a company providing construction services must be registered in it. The register is part of BIS (bis.gov.lv) and is available free of charge.
2. Agree in writing A contract for work concluded orally can be valid, but the customer has to prove the contract and the payment. Write the list of work and the price into the estimate or the contract.
3. Know your rights A consumer can make a claim for non-conformity with the contract within two years of receiving the service, and the claim must be submitted within two months of discovering the non-conformity.
4. In case of a dispute A consumer can ask the Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC) or the Consumer Disputes Resolution Commission to assess the service provider's conduct.

More in the articles Register of Construction Merchants: how to check a builder and renovation contract: what it must contain.

What the work costs if you do not do it yourself

For comparison, work prices that help you decide:

Example: laminate 18 m² × €6.50 = from €117. A room of 15 m² with 40 m² of walls: skimming 40 × €10 = €400 and painting 40 × €4 = €160, in total from €560. Prices are for labour. Materials are calculated separately in the estimate.

You can choose a mixed route: do the painting and the floor covering yourself, and leave the bathroom, the electrical wiring and the walls to specialists. In the request, write which work you will do yourself.