Are you selling an apartment in Prague and wondering whether it’s worth investing in a renovation first? A correctly chosen renovation before selling can increase the final price by 10–25 % and shorten the sale time from 3–6 months to 3–6 weeks. A poorly chosen one will cost you money.
Basic rule: Not every investment comes back
It pays off: repairs that remove visible and hidden defects, modernise outdated elements and increase the perceived value of the apartment.
It doesn’t pay off: premium equipment (designer sanitary ware, Italian tiles), extensive layout changes, an overly individual decoration style. Buyers pay for standard, not for luxury.
What specifically to fix?
1. Bathroom and WC — the biggest impact on buyers
An old, worn bathroom is the biggest “deal killer”. Buyers look at it first, and their impression of it influences the overall perception of the apartment.
- Replacing wall and floor tiles (or at least re-grouting and cleaning)
- New sanitary ware (if outdated or damaged)
- Replacing the tap and shower enclosure
- Modern lighting
Investment: 80,000–180,000 CZK · Added value: 150,000–400,000 CZK
2. Floors
Buyers see floors immediately on entering. Old laminate floors, damaged parquet or a chipboard floor significantly reduce the perceived value.
Investment: 30,000–80,000 CZK · Added value: 80,000–200,000 CZK
3. Painting and surfaces
A fresh, neutral coat of paint (white, light grey) works wonders. Old yellow, purple or cracked plaster puts buyers off.
Investment: 20,000–50,000 CZK · Added value: disproportionately higher
4. Electrical installation
Buyers who know what to look for always check the state of the electrical installation. Original aluminium conductors or an overloaded distribution board are a warning sign that leads to negotiations over a discount.
Investment: 25,000–70,000 CZK · Added value: avoiding a discount
5. Kitchen — carefully
The kitchen unit is a very personal choice. If the old unit is functional, consider only replacing the fronts or the worktop — a completely new unit does not return 1:1 on sale.
What not to do
- Don’t overdo the luxury — premium sanitary ware or designer parquet increase the price only marginally
- Don’t make big layout changes — buyers want to adapt the apartment to their own ideas
- Don’t use an overly individual style — neutral is always better for selling
- Don’t deal with it at the last minute — a renovation takes 4–8 weeks, plan ahead
How to proceed?
- Consult an appraiser or a real estate agent — verify the potential after renovation
- Consult a contractor — find out the real price of the repairs
- ROI calculation — compare the investment with the expected price increase
- Carry out the selected work
- Professional photography and listing
Want to find out what specifically to fix in your apartment? We’ll carry out a free consultation and propose improvements with the best ratio of price to added value.
Related: Pre-sale renovation — our service · Apartment renovation costs in Prague