Apartment Renovation Stages: Order of Work and Checklist

Author: Zərif Group editorial teamPublished: October 17, 2026

An apartment renovation always follows the same logic: first measurements and a design project, then demolition and partitions, followed by electrical and plumbing lines, plaster and floor screed, then tiling, skim coating, paint and flooring, and finally doors, the kitchen, the countertop and sanitary fixtures. When this order is broken, work is either redone or a finished surface gets damaged. In this article we explain why each stage sits exactly where it does, how long it takes, what to watch for in Baku apartments, and what to check before the renovation begins.

Where does an apartment renovation start?

An apartment renovation starts with measurements and a design project, not with a crew and materials. Without an accurate measured plan it is impossible to estimate the budget or the duration realistically. At the design stage you decide the position of the kitchen, which walls move, where every socket and light point goes, how the tiles are laid out and what the floor levels will be.

A design project is not just a pretty picture; it is the technical brief for the workers. With the electrical plan, plumbing plan, ceiling plan and floor plan in hand, every tradesperson works from the same document and on-site improvisation drops. Zərif Group's interior design and 3D visualization service produces exactly these documents: you see the result, and the workers know precisely which dimension belongs on which wall.

Three questions must be answered at this stage: will the renovation be cosmetic or full; will the layout change or not; and which materials and equipment must be ordered in advance. Products such as marble and Corian countertops or custom-sized sinks have a production lead time, so they are ordered while the rough work is still under way.

What do bare shell and white box mean?

A bare shell (often called a black box) is raw concrete: only load-bearing walls, ceiling, floor slab and windows, with no partitions, plaster, electrical or water lines. Most new buildings in Baku are handed over in exactly this state. A white box is the finished rough stage: partitions built, walls plastered, floor screed poured, electrical and plumbing lines installed, but still no paint, tiles or floor covering.

These two concepts matter for splitting the budget correctly. The work from bare shell to white box takes the largest share of the total time, and the most expensive mistakes, the ones invisible in a finished apartment, are made exactly here. The work after white box is the fine stage that makes the result visible.

A resale apartment is different: once the old finishes are stripped, the real condition of the walls and floors is revealed. In older buildings, replacing old wiring and pipes is needed almost every time, so room for it should be kept in the budget from the start.

In what order do demolition and rough works proceed?

The correct order of rough works is: demolition, building partitions, running electrical and plumbing lines, wall and ceiling plaster, then floor screed. Each stage prepares the surface for the next: cable chases are cut before plastering, pipes are laid before the screed, and the windows and entrance door stay covered with protective film.

Demolition is the dustiest and noisiest stage. In a new build it usually takes 2–3 days and is done only where needed, while in older buildings removing old tiles, plaster and flooring can take 1–2 weeks. Debris removal is a separate cost and time item that must be budgeted in advance.

Electrical and plumbing are hidden works: once they are under plaster and tiles, fixing them is only possible by breaking things open. So at this stage every socket and every water outlet must be checked against the design project, and the routes of the lines documented with photos or video. Later, when hanging a shelf or a countertop, this archive will tell you where the pipe runs.

Screed is often the stage that causes the longest wait in Baku apartments. A standard cement-sand screed is poured 30–100 mm thick, can be walked on after about 24 hours, and needs at least 7 days before tiling; it reaches full strength in 28 days. For laminate, parquet and other moisture-sensitive coverings a wet screed up to 50 mm thick must dry for about a month, and up to two months when thicker, otherwise the covering will lift.

Finishing works: in what order are tiling, skim coating, painting and flooring done?

The order of finishing works is based on separating clean and dirty work: first tiling in the bathroom, then skim coating and priming of walls and ceilings, followed by ceiling and wall paint, then the floor covering, and finally skirting boards and doors. If a stretch ceiling is planned, it is installed after the wall paint.

In the bathroom the tiles are laid after the bathtub or shower tray is in place so the joints come out neat. Moving on to the next job on tiled and stone surfaces without letting the adhesive and grout dry fully leads to cracks and stains. Wall paint is applied only after all dusty work is completely finished, otherwise dust and marks remain on the paint.

At this stage parallel work across rooms is possible: while skim coat dries in one room, tiles can be laid in another. But combining dusty work with painting in the same room is one of the most common mistakes.

When are the kitchen countertop, sink and marble works installed?

A marble or Corian countertop is produced from a template taken on site after the kitchen base cabinets are installed, and it is fitted in one of the very last stages. The tops of the base cabinets must be flat and level, because the stone slab follows the cabinets' level and any difference shows at the joints.

Ordering the countertop, however, is planned much earlier, while the rough works are under way: the sink type (top-mount, undermount or seamlessly cast with the top), the position of the hob and the tap, and the height of the backsplash must be decided in advance. An undermount sink must be on site before the countertop, and the tap hole is cut during production. Zərif Group manufactures cast marble and Corian products to order and to size in its own workshop, so these details are finalized together during the measurement.

In the bathroom a handmade cast marble sink or bathtub is installed after the tiling is finished, together with the sanitary fixtures. The points where these products meet the wall need waterproofing and silicone sealing, so it is more reliable to have the same team do the installation. Delivery and installation are provided anywhere in Azerbaijan.

How long does an apartment renovation take and how is the budget planned?

A full apartment renovation usually takes several months, and more than half of that time goes to rough works. The exact duration depends on the apartment's area, whether the layout changes, the screed drying time and material delivery lead times. A cosmetic renovation is measured in weeks.

When planning the budget, keeping a 10–20 percent contingency fund is the professional standard: in older buildings unexpected costs such as hidden damp, old wiring and uneven walls come up more often. If the budget only works in the best-case scenario, it is not realistic. Materials should also be bought with a reserve: when tiles or skirting run out mid-job, finding the same batch is often impossible.

Giving an exact price remotely would not be honest: the floor area, the material grade and the scope of work differ in every project. So the right approach is to prepare an itemized estimate based on the design project, see the material and labour cost for each line separately, and confirm every change in writing.

What should you pay attention to when renovating in Baku?

Baku's climate directly affects two stages of a renovation: the drying of screed and plaster, and the insulation of windows and balconies. From late spring to early autumn the weather is muggy, while winter and autumn are windy; November is the windiest month. In humid weather wet processes dry more slowly, so in summer and autumn renovations you should not try to shorten drying times.

Strong wind puts pressure on window and balcony joints. High-quality sealing of the installation joints around windows, a tight balcony door and thermal insulation of external walls are not extras in Baku apartments but essential items. This work is done at the rough stage, before plastering.

In the water system, space for a mechanical filter and, if needed, a softening unit should be reserved at the rough stage; if limescale builds up on taps, shower heads and heaters, this step extends their life. The white marks left on natural marble surfaces when water drops dry have the same cause, so marble sinks and countertops should be protected with an impregnating sealer. In new buildings, fine cracks can appear in plaster and ceilings during the first 1–2 years as the building settles; elastic skim coat and proper mesh reinforcement reduce this risk.

The most common apartment renovation mistakes: a checklist

The most expensive mistake is starting without a project and breaking the sequence. Check this list before you begin: the design project and measured plan are ready; every point on the electrical and plumbing plan has its position; the estimate is itemized and a 10–20 percent contingency is kept; materials with long lead times (countertop, doors, kitchen) are ordered; the contract and work schedule with the contractor are in writing.

To check during the work: hidden lines are documented with photos; screed and plaster drying times have been respected; dusty work is not done in the same room as painting; the protective film on windows and doors has not been removed too early; every change is confirmed in writing.

To check at handover: all sockets and switches work; there are no leaks at water outlets; tile joints and silicone lines are intact; countertop and sink joints are sealed; doors open and close freely; warranty documents and leftover materials are kept.

Conclusion: the right order saves time and money

An apartment renovation begins with measurements and a project, takes most of its time in rough works, and turns into a visible result through finishing works. When you follow the sequence, the drying times and a written estimate, rework and extra costs drop to a minimum.

If you want to start a renovation but do not know where to begin, Zərif Group's design and renovation team helps with a free consultation, on-site measurement and a 3D project. For questions about marble and Corian countertops, cast marble sinks and complete renovation, message us on WhatsApp at +994 70 222 22 93.

Frequently asked questions

Where does an apartment renovation start?

With a measured plan and a design project. Once the electrical, plumbing, ceiling and floor plans are ready, demolition and rough works begin.

What is a white box?

An apartment with the rough works finished: partitions built, walls plastered, screed poured, electrical and water lines installed, but no paint, tiles or floor covering yet.

When can tiles and laminate be laid after the screed?

On a standard cement screed you wait at least 7 days before tiling, and full strength develops in 28 days. For laminate and parquet a wet screed must dry completely, which takes about a month at 50 mm thickness.

When is the kitchen countertop installed?

After the base cabinets are installed, a template is taken on site, the countertop is produced and fitted in one of the last stages. The sink type and tap position must be decided in advance.

How much contingency should a renovation budget have?

About 10–20 percent of the estimate. In older buildings it is safer to keep the contingency near the upper end because of hidden damp and old lines.

How long does an apartment renovation take?

A full renovation usually takes several months, and more than half of the time goes to rough works. The exact duration depends on the area, the layout changes and the screed drying time.

This article was prepared by Zərif Group.