Pre-war building apartment renovation

What is typical of a pre-war masonry building

Apollo.lv writes about pre-war masonry buildings in the central parts of the city: the floors between storeys are mostly timber, there is no lift without reconstruction, the windows are non-standard, the walls are thick and the ceilings high, which increases heating costs; attention must also be paid to the foundations. The exact ceiling height and layout differ in every building.

In Riga such buildings are in the Centre, Avoti, Grīziņkalns, Āgenskalns and other historical neighbourhoods. For a renovation estimate we need your measurements or a plan, as well as information about the floors and ceilings.

Timber floors between storeys, floors and wet rooms

If the floor structure is timber, the solution for the floor base depends on the condition of the boards, whether the floor creaks or sags and how much height you can afford. A wooden board floor or parquet in good condition can be restored rather than replaced; see wooden floor restoration and parquet sanding.

A bathroom or toilet is best placed above similar rooms. Above the living rooms of the apartment below, sanitary rooms are permissible if the requirements for soundproofing, waterproofing, thermal insulation, fire safety, ventilation and safety are met. For waterproofing, the manufacturer Ceresit CL 51 recommends at least two layers and waterproofing tape at the wall-to-floor joints.

Windows and the status of the building

Windows in external structures are common property: they may be restored or replaced at your own expense in agreement with the building manager; the association may decide that its consent is also needed. No documents are needed in second- and third-group buildings if the division of the window, the proportions and the frame colour are kept.

If the building is a cultural monument, the solution is agreed with the National Heritage Board (Nacionālā kultūras mantojuma pārvalde) or the cultural heritage unit of the City Development Department. Before the work, ask the building manager what the status of the building is.

The order of work in an old masonry building

1. List of work What to keep and what to change: plaster, floors, floors between storeys, utilities.
2. Demolition The old finish layers. Before demolition in buildings built before the asbestos ban, the employer finds out about possible asbestos-containing materials.
3. Electrical wiring and pipes New installation under the direction of a certified construction specialist and with residual current protection; replacing a riser needs an association decision, and the work is organised by the building manager.
4. Walls, ceilings, floors Restoring the plaster, skimming, levelling the floor base or restoring the wooden floor.
5. Finishing Painting, tiles in wet rooms, doors and skirting boards.

How long the renovation takes depends on the amount of work and the drying time of the materials.

What to write in the request

• the address and the building series or year of construction;
• the apartment area in m² and the number of rooms;
• whether the floors are wooden or parquet and whether you want to keep them;
• whether you will change the electrical wiring, pipes and sections of risers;
• whether you will choose the materials yourself.

The renovation price for a pre-war building apartment

• Cosmetic renovation: from €100/m² of apartment area.
• Full renovation: from €280/m² of apartment area.
• Parquet sanding and varnishing: from €23/m².
• Plastering walls: from €8/m².

Prices are for labour. Materials are calculated separately in the estimate. Example: a 2-room apartment of 50 m², full renovation: 50 × €280 = from €14,000 (labour).

The price is affected by the area and the number of rooms, the type of renovation, the condition of the walls, floors and ceilings, whether the electrical wiring, pipes and risers are changed, and the chosen finish. An exact estimate can be made after seeing the apartment.

What a full renovation includes