Apartment renovation is one of the most important investments you can make in your property, whether to improve your living conditions or to increase its market value. A successful renovation requires careful planning and professional execution across three key phases: gypsum works for restructuring walls and ceilings, wall plastering for smooth and uniform surfaces, and painting for the aesthetic finish that brings your space to life. In this guide, we share our experience from over 100 renovation projects successfully completed across Albania, including large works such as Vlora International Airport, Green Coast Resort, and the Rolling Hills residential community.
What should you plan before starting a renovation?
The planning phase is the foundation of every successful renovation. Without a clear plan, your project risks delays, unexpected costs, and disappointing results.
Assessing the current condition
Begin by evaluating the condition of your apartment. Check walls for cracks, moisture, or structural damage. In many apartments in Tirana and Durres, especially those built before the 2000s, you may encounter issues such as poor insulation, outdated electrical wiring, and plumbing that needs replacement.
Creating a work schedule
Develop a realistic timeline for your project. A full apartment renovation typically takes 4-8 weeks, depending on size and complexity. List the works in the proper order: structural work first, then installations, gypsum works, plastering, and finally painting.
Setting and tracking a budget
A clear budget keeps your renovation on track and prevents difficult decisions halfway through the work. Break the budget into materials, labour, and a contingency of around 10 to 15 percent for surprises hidden behind old walls. For a structured method you can follow our dedicated renovation budget planning guide, and you can review current rates on our pricing page to estimate each phase accurately.
Permits and regulations
In Albania, interior apartment renovations generally do not require a building permit, but structural interventions such as removing load-bearing walls require approval from an engineer and the municipality. Check with your local administrative unit for specific requirements and respect the condominium regulations of your building.
How should you manage the demolition and structural phase?
The demolition phase requires special care, particularly in apartment buildings where you need to maintain good relations with neighbours and avoid damaging the building's structure.
Controlled demolition
Remove old materials such as tiles, damaged plaster, old flooring, and worn-out fixtures. In apartments built during the communist era or in the 1990s, you will often find multiple layers of plaster or rendering that need to be completely removed before proceeding with new works.
Electrical and plumbing work
Before closing up walls, ensure that all electrical and plumbing installations are completed. This includes positioning sockets, switches, water points, and drainage according to the new plan. Using quality materials at this stage prevents costly problems in the future. When sockets and lighting will sit inside plasterboard structures, coordinate the two trades early, as explained in our guide on coordinating gypsum with electrical installations.
What role do gypsum works play in a renovation?
Gypsum works form the backbone of modern renovation. Plasterboard offers fast, clean, and functional solutions for transforming living spaces.
New partitions and walls
With plasterboard, you can create new partitions without adding load to the building's structure. This is particularly useful in open-plan apartments in Tirana where owners want to create additional rooms or divide large spaces. The system of metal profiles and gypsum boards allows for quick installation with minimal disruption. A standard partition can be built and closed at a rate of roughly 15 to 25 square metres per worker per day.
New and decorative ceilings
Gypsum ceilings conceal electrical installations, air conditioning ducts, and any irregularities in the existing ceiling. Multi-level ceilings add architectural character and enable elegant integration of LED lighting. In apartments with high ceilings, such as those commonly found in new buildings in the Blloku area or near the Artificial Lake, decorative ceilings create proportion and visual warmth. If you are unsure which design suits your rooms, our overview of types of modern gypsum ceilings compares the most common options.
Thermal and acoustic insulation
Within the plasterboard structure, insulation material such as mineral wool can be integrated, significantly improving thermal and acoustic insulation. This is particularly valuable in apartments on the top floor or those sharing walls with noisy neighbours. A double-layer plasterboard partition with mineral wool can reduce airborne noise by 45 to 55 decibels, while a single fire-rated board adds around 30 minutes of fire protection.
Gypsum board types and key data
Choosing the correct board for each room avoids problems with moisture, fire, and sound. The table below summarises the most common board types from manufacturers such as Knauf and Rigips, with indicative finishing prices in Albania.
| Board or work type | Typical use | Standard thickness | Indicative price (Lek/m2) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Standard board (A) | Dry living areas, ceilings | 12.5 mm | 2100 - 2300 (ceiling) | | Moisture-resistant (H2) | Bathrooms, kitchens | 12.5 mm | 2800 - 3000 (cladding) | | Fire-resistant (F) | Boiler areas, technical rooms | 12.5 - 15 mm | 3500 - 4500 (partition) | | Plasterboard partition | New room divisions | 75 - 100 mm system | 3500 - 4500 | | Standard plastering | Smoothing walls before paint | 1 - 3 mm layers | 600 - 1200 | | Interior painting | Final finish, two coats | 2 coats | 350 - 800 |
The technical specifications for each board, including the fire and humidity classes, are published by the manufacturer on the official Knauf product site.
How does plastering affect the final quality?
Plastering is the phase that determines the visual quality of surfaces. Good plastering hides all imperfections and creates the ideal base for painting.
Surface preparation
Before plastering, surfaces must be dry, clean, and dust-free. Cracks and holes are filled with appropriate material. On old rendered walls, applying a primer coat ensures optimal adhesion of the plaster.
Plastering technique
Professional plastering is carried out in two or three thin layers, with each layer allowed to dry completely before the next is applied. The first layer fills the larger imperfections, while the final layer is sanded to a perfectly smooth surface. A thin skim coat usually needs around 24 hours to dry per layer under normal indoor conditions. This technique requires experience and patience, and the benefits of doing it correctly are explained in our article on the benefits of professional plastering.
Quality control
After drying, surfaces are checked with a side light to reveal any remaining irregularities. Problem spots are sanded or re-plastered as needed. This final quality assurance step makes the difference between amateur and professional work.
What should you know about apartment painting?
Painting is the final phase that gives each room its identity. The right choice of colours and materials directly affects the atmosphere and longevity of the finish.
Choosing the right paint
For residential spaces in Albania, high-quality latex paints offer excellent durability and easy maintenance. A typical litre of interior emulsion paint covers about 10 to 14 square metres per coat, so two coats of a 10-litre bucket cover roughly 50 to 70 square metres. For bathrooms and kitchens, use moisture-resistant paints. Warm tones are popular in Albanian apartments, but current trends also favour neutral shades such as light grey, beige, and pure white.
Professional painting technique
Professional painting begins with primer application, especially over new gypsum or plaster surfaces. Paint is applied in two uniform coats with a quality roller, starting from the ceiling and continuing with the walls. Corners and details are finished with a brush. Each coat must dry completely before the next is applied, usually 2 to 4 hours for water-based paints.
Surface protection
During painting, cover floors, furniture, and fixtures with protective sheets. Use masking tape for clean lines between different colours or between the wall and ceiling. This attention to detail distinguishes professional work.
What are the final steps of a renovation?
After completing the main works, the final steps determine the lasting impression of your renovated apartment.
Installing fixtures and accessories
Mount sockets, switches, door frames, light fixtures, and bathroom accessories. Ensure every element is level and precisely positioned. These small details have a significant impact on the final appearance.
Final cleaning
A thorough professional clean removes construction dust from every surface, including inside cupboards, behind radiators, and in hard-to-reach areas. This step is essential before bringing in furniture.
Final quality inspection
Conduct a final inspection of every room, checking the quality of paintwork, the functioning of sockets and switches, the closing of doors and windows, and water flow. Document any minor issues to be corrected before final handover.
Why choose experienced professionals for your renovation?
Apartment renovation is a significant investment that deserves professional execution. Mistakes during the process can be costly and time-consuming to correct.
The Torra Gips experience
With over 100 projects successfully completed in Tirana, Durres, and other cities across Albania, our team brings deep expertise to every phase of renovation. We understand the specific challenges of Albanian apartments, from old communist-era buildings to new residential complexes, and we offer tailored solutions for every situation. If your renovation is in the capital, see our gypsum works in Tirana service, and clients on the coast can rely on our painting service in Durres.
Complete coordination
The advantage of working with a single team for gypsum works, plastering, and painting is smooth coordination between phases. This eliminates delays, ensures uniform quality, and keeps communication simple throughout the entire project.
Ready to start your apartment renovation? Contact us for a free on-site consultation where we will assess your project and provide you with a detailed work plan. You can also message us directly on WhatsApp at +355 68 858 0058 to get a fast estimate. Our team is ready to accompany you every step of the way from planning to completion.
Read also
- How to Plan Your Renovation Budget - indicative prices
- What You Need to Know Before Renovating - common mistakes
- How to Prepare Walls for Painting - important step