Bulgarian Builders and Bulgarian Building Work - renovations and building services

Building Work

As in the UK, it can be very difficult to find good, reliable builders as they are usually very busy and working on larger projects. It can be particularly difficult to find builders to do smaller jobs.

I have now worked with a number of different builders on my renovation projects and new build. One I would not touch with a barge pole (see here), one was fine until they started taking the p*** with regards to costs and time to complete projects, and so far, building team I have now great. Through various contacts and friends I can source people to do renovation work. There are photos of completed work below. Please scroll down the page.

If you only want a small job doing - say new windows, just a septic tank and bathroom renovating, roof repairs and so on, I can sort this for you. Or I can arrange and over see the whole project (Stara Zagora area).

I know an excellent small window and blinds company and can arrange for new PVC windows to be fitted in the Stara Zagora area. I can arrange electrical work for a good price and roof repairs. If you would like me to help you source a builder and arrange quotes for you, please contact me.

I can now also offer a pool installation service. Prices start at around 10,000 levs (about 5,150 Euros) for a 3 metre round pool. There are many variations and they come with all equipment required.

Preparing Estimates & Quotes

I am more than happy to give you a rough idea of what renovations will cost based purely on experience and what you tell me, but to prepare a proper quote takes time. I need to visit your property with the builders (and possibly arrange for an architect as well) and then prepare a careful breakdown of work. I got a little tired of arranging to visit a property (sometimes two or threes times), driving there and so incurring the cost of fuel (which is getting more and more expensive), spending a good few hours carefully going round the property to assess what needs doing and taking into account the client's wishes, having the builder do a break down of costs and then translating this and sending the client the quote, plans and photos, only to never here from them again or to be told they cannot afford this. Often the builders and I then have to re-visit the property to see what work can be reduced, look at alternative options to overcome problems and so on and then re-quote. This all takes a lot of time and effort.

I now charge a fee of 75 Euros or 150 BGN. After receiving the first initial quote, most people opt not to do all the work or change their minds about certain aspects and so once I have your feedback I will make these changes and send you a revised quote.

Once the quote is agreed, and work starts, I will send you photos and report back to you on the renovations.

Example Of Renovation Costs

Below is a short breakdown of the costs you could expect for general renovations, but please keep in mind much depends on the size of your house, the state of repair, your choice of finishing works such as colour and type of PVC windows (white cheaper than wood effect say), tiles, wood or laminate flooring and of course size of rooms but it should give you some idea:

Septic Tank & Plumbing, Pipes etc                                                                                                                                        2,000 Euros
New Shower Room (say 3m x 2m) - new plumbing, tiling, shower, toilet, sink etc                                                             1,000 to 1,500 Euros
Taking out old kitchen units, taking off any old tiles, new tiling and plumbing etc for new kitchen                                    500 Euros (depending on size)
Roof Insulation (average 2 bed house)                                                                                                                                   1,000 Euros [Larger house say 2,000 Euros]
Complete plaster boarding inside and ceilings of say 3 bed house                                                                                    Around 8,000 Euros
Roof Repairs (general patchwork, work on casing etc)                                                                                                        Say 1,000 to 2,000 Euros
New PVC windows (say 8 windows of various sizes)                                                                                                          Around 3,000 Euros
Inspection of wiring, new circuits, fuse box, switches and sockets etc                                                                               2,000 Euros complete re-wire
New internal MDF doors including fitting and plaster work                                                                                                  150 Euros each
External Painting and Repair of Plasterwork for 3 bed house                                                                                             4,000 Euros
Guttering and Downspouts                                                                                                                                                       1,000 Euros
Secure metal fencing with 20 cm concrete foundation i.e dog proof                                                                                  Around 20 Euros per metre

On top of this there will be some transport and carrying costs and off course commission! Carrying costs will usually be around 5 - 8 % of renovation costs depending on how far away from the nearest large town your property is for delivery of materials, removing building debris, taking workers each day etc and then there will be a charge of around 6% commission on total cost - this covers profit (got to make something!), project management, time spent visiting property regularly, sending reports back to you with photos (and possibly video footage), taking photos of say tiles and fixtures and fittings and sending to you to choose colour and style etc and telephone calls.

IMPORTANT: To renovate an old property (bought for under 10,000E say) to a good standard with a couple of bathrooms, all new plastering, tiling, kitchen, ceilings, floors, wiring, plumbing, septic tank etc will set you back a good 20,000 Euros. You need to take this into account when buying an old rural property.

Post Renovation (Stara Zagora area)

After renovations are completed I can help your source furniture, kitchens, appliances, curtains, blinds etc. I will also be starting a management service to look after your holiday home when you are not here - check the house regularly, pay utility bills, open windows to air house, turn on heating in winter, check for damp etc, give a quick clean every so often to keep dust and dirt at bay and so on...and also a rental service (Stara Zagora region).

Examples of Building Work

Below are a few photos of my projects to give you some idea of 'before' and 'after' :

Before: After: