Major Apartment Renovation in Haifa and the Krayot: What Is Included, How the Estimate Is Prepared, and How to Control the Result

This article was prepared by the Timur & Co. team.
The technical content was reviewed by Timur Dontsov, the company’s founder. Renovation work in Israel since 2008.

A major renovation is required when repainting the walls, replacing a few sockets, or repairing several cracked tiles is no longer enough. It is a comprehensive upgrade that may affect not only the appearance of the apartment but also its electrical system, plumbing, waterproofing, walls, floor base, kitchen, bathrooms, doors, and finishing work.

The main challenge is not simply the amount of work. It is the connection between all stages of the project. The kitchen layout affects water and electrical points. The future floor level affects doors and furniture. The selected plumbing fixtures determine where pipes and drains must be located. Tiles cannot be installed correctly before the base has been prepared, and walls should not be closed before hidden systems have been checked.

A major renovation should therefore begin with an inspection, planning, and a clear definition of the expected result—not with demolition.

We provide turnkey renovation services in Haifa and the Krayot, including Kiryat Ata, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Yam, and Kiryat Haim. We also accept projects in Nesher and Tirat Carmel. After inspecting the property, we determine the scope, work sequence, materials, exclusions, and procedure for approving changes.

What Is a Major Apartment Renovation?

Major Apartment Renovation in Haifa and the Krayot: What Is Included, How the Estimate Is Prepared, and How to Control the Result

A major renovation is a comprehensive upgrade of the apartment as one technical and residential system.

This does not mean that everything must automatically be removed down to bare concrete. Our task is to determine the actual condition of the property:

Existing pipes, selected electrical lines, windows, doors, or floor bases do not have to be replaced simply to make the project look more extensive. When an element is in suitable condition and compatible with the new design, it may be preserved.

However, if an old system creates a risk, limits the normal use of the apartment, or prevents high-quality finishing, it should be repaired or replaced before it is hidden behind walls, tiles, flooring, or furniture.

What Is Usually Included in a Major Renovation?

The final scope is determined after inspecting the apartment, but a full project may include:

This is not an identical package for every apartment. In one property, the main task may be replacing utilities. In another, most of the work may involve rebuilding walls and floor bases. In a third, the kitchen, bathrooms, and layout changes may form the largest part of the project.

What Is Not Included Automatically?

The words “major renovation” do not mean that every possible service, material, and item of equipment is automatically included in the initial proposal.

The following may require separate planning and pricing:

Before work begins, we define what is included, what will be supplied by the client, and which items require separate approval.

Major Renovation Versus Cosmetic Renovation

Cosmetic renovation mainly changes the visible appearance of an apartment.

It may include localized wall repairs, filling, painting, wallpaper replacement, new skirting boards, selected light fixtures, or replacement of some floor coverings. The plumbing, electrical system, and technical layout usually remain unchanged.

A major renovation is needed when the problem is located beneath the visible finishing layer.

Examples include:

Cosmetic renovation refreshes a property. Major renovation changes its technical condition and prepares it for long-term use.

When the problem is limited to walls, one room, or surface finishing, professional wall preparation, filling, and painting may be sufficient without a complete renovation.

Major Renovation Versus Capsule Renovation

A capsule renovation in Haifa and the Krayot can also deliver an apartment that is ready to use. However, it is usually carried out while preserving the existing layout and the main utility systems.

A capsule package may include:

A major renovation involves deeper intervention. It may include replacing or significantly modifying utilities, rebuilding floor and wall bases, relocating technical points, and changing the internal layout.

Does your apartment really need extensive demolition and complete reconstruction? Sometimes the existing structure and utilities make it possible to preserve part of the property. The correct renovation format should be chosen after inspection rather than simply according to the name of the service.

Turnkey Renovation Describes Project Organization

“Major renovation” and “turnkey renovation” describe different aspects of a project.

Major renovation describes how deeply the apartment will be changed. Turnkey renovation means that one team coordinates the stages and is responsible for the agreed final result.

With a turnkey major renovation, the client does not need to find and coordinate demolition workers, a plumber, an electrician, a tiler, a painter, a door installer, and a kitchen fitter independently.

We organize the sequence so that different specialists do not interfere with one another and completed finishing work does not have to be damaged because an earlier hidden stage was missed.

When Does an Apartment Need a Major Renovation?

A major renovation should be considered when:

Not every one of these signs means that the entire apartment must be dismantled. Sometimes only the kitchen, bathroom, or one part of the property requires major work.

When deciding between localized repairs and a full project, distinguish between defects that are only visual and problems connected to utilities, waterproofing, or structural bases.

How a Proper Major Renovation Begins

Before demolition, the expected final result must be defined.

We discuss:

Have you already decided where the oven, hob, dishwasher, water heater, and air conditioners will be located? When these decisions have not yet been made, it is too early to finalize electrical and plumbing points.

At least the principal equipment positions should be approved before hidden work begins.

Scope of Work and Written Estimate

The more clearly the project is documented, the fewer urgent decisions need to be made during construction.

The scope of work should specify:

An estimate should not consist of one line stating “major apartment renovation.”

We divide the project into understandable stages, such as demolition, plumbing, electrical work, preparation, tiling, wall repair, flooring, doors, kitchen installation, final fitting, cleaning, and other agreed tasks.

The estimate should also clarify:

Why We Do Not Publish One Standard Price

Our website does not contain one universal price per square meter for a major renovation.

The size of an apartment shows how large it is, but not its technical condition.

Two apartments of the same size may differ in:

We therefore inspect the property, define the actual scope, and prepare a written estimate.

We do not attract clients with an artificially low figure that ignores what may be hidden behind old tiles, kitchen cabinets, and previous finishing layers.

Demolition and Property Protection

Demolition is not uncontrolled destruction.

Before work begins, we identify the elements that will remain and need protection:

A major renovation may involve removing:

Inform us in advance about building committee rules, lift use, and possible unloading areas. This allows us to plan deliveries, protect shared spaces, and organize waste removal.

After the work, the project may require post-renovation cleaning and construction-waste removal. Renovation waste should not be left beside ordinary household bins and must be removed through an appropriate arrangement.

What May Be Discovered After Demolition?

Some defects cannot be seen during the initial inspection.

After tiles, an old kitchen, or floor coverings have been removed, the following may be discovered:

We do not automatically begin additional work.

The correct procedure is:

  1. Stop work in the affected area.
  2. Document the defect.
  3. Show it to the property owner.
  4. Explain the possible consequences of leaving it untreated.
  5. Propose suitable solutions.
  6. Explain the effect on the schedule and estimate.
  7. Receive approval.
  8. Continue only after agreement.

This prevents a hidden defect from becoming an unexpected charge after a decision has already been made without the owner’s involvement.

Plumbing During a Major Renovation

The plumbing stage may involve individual connections or an entirely new internal system.

Depending on the project, the work may include:

More information is available on our page about plumbing services in Haifa and the Krayot.

Do not allow pipes to be closed behind walls or tiles before hidden connections have been checked. Once the finishing work is complete, correcting an error becomes much more complicated.

Electrical Work and Licensing

The electrical system should be planned around the future use of the apartment.

We define the positions of:

Additional information is provided on our electrical work page for Haifa and the Krayot.

Electrical work in Israel must be performed by a professional holding a valid license appropriate for the type and scope of work. The person responsible for licensed electrical work should therefore be identified before the project begins.

Waterproofing Bathrooms and Wet Areas

A reliable bathroom does not begin with choosing attractive tiles.

Before tiling, the following should be checked:

Hidden plumbing and preparation work are completed first. Waterproofing follows. Only then should the project proceed to tile installation and fitting the equipment.

Skipping a hidden stage or performing the work in the wrong order can result in leaks and damage to completed finishes.

Walls and Ceilings

After demolition, walls are rarely ready for immediate painting.

The work may require:

Wall preparation and painting are separate stages.

When an estimate states only “paint the apartment,” it is unclear whether crack repairs, restoration of damaged areas, and surface leveling are included.

Floors and Tiles

The base must be inspected before selecting a final covering.

Possible solutions include:

Changes to floor level affect doors, skirting boards, transitions between rooms, kitchen installation, and bathroom connections.

Before laying tiles, the following should be agreed:

Expensive tiles cannot compensate for a poorly prepared base.

Doors and Windows

During a major renovation, door installation depends on the future floor level and the condition of the openings.

The work may include:

Window replacement also requires attention to sealing, external junctions, and access to the installation area. Further information is available on our page about window and door replacement in Haifa and the Krayot.

The Kitchen Must Be Planned in Advance

The kitchen connects plumbing, electricity, tiles, walls, furniture, and appliances.

Before utilities are installed, at least a basic plan is needed showing the position of:

When the kitchen is planned only after plumbing and electrical work have been completed, the risk of costly alterations increases significantly.

Once the room has been prepared, we can carry out the assembly and installation of kitchen furniture according to the finished walls, floor, and utility points.

Who Purchases the Materials?

Both arrangements are possible.

The Client Selects and Purchases the Materials

The property owner controls the manufacturer, design, and price. However, the following must be checked in advance:

We Organize the Purchase

In this case, the following are approved before ordering:

Kitchens, doors, windows, and made-to-measure elements should be ordered early because they may have long production times.

How Long Does a Major Renovation Take?

There is no single schedule that applies to every apartment.

The duration depends on:

Not every stage can be shortened simply by adding more workers. Waterproofing, filling materials, bases, and other products require proper technological drying and curing times.

Can You Live in the Apartment During the Renovation?

For a complete major renovation, temporarily vacating the property is usually more practical.

Living there becomes particularly difficult when:

In some cases, the project can be divided into stages. This decision should be made before demolition begins.

Can you move out temporarily, or must access to the kitchen and bathroom remain available throughout the project? The answer affects the work sequence and the entire organization of the site.

Warning Signs When Choosing a Renovation Contractor

Be cautious when:

A responsible approach does not promise a perfect scenario at any cost. It defines in advance how decisions will be made if the actual condition of the property differs from expectations.

Major Apartment Renovation in Haifa

Apartment renovation in Haifa requires attention not only to the apartment itself but also to the location and access conditions of the building.

Project organization may be affected by:

We accept projects in areas including Carmel, Ahuza, Denya, Neve Sha’anan, Hadar, Bat Galim, Kiryat Eliezer, the Lower City, Ramot Remez, and other parts of Haifa.

In older buildings, particular attention should be given to plaster, plumbing, electrical lines, and areas showing signs of dampness. However, the age of the building alone does not mean that everything must be replaced.

Major Apartment Renovation in the Krayot

We provide apartment renovation services in the Krayot:

We also work in Nesher and Tirat Carmel.

During the first conversation, it is useful to provide:

We do not create artificial differences between major renovation in Kiryat Yam and renovation in Kiryat Motzkin. The determining factors are the condition of the property, access, utilities, and the owner’s objectives.

Project Example 1: Apartment After Tenants in Kiryat Yam

Property: Kiryat Yam,2025, apartment measuring 3 ROOMS.

Initial condition: After the tenants left, the apartment had cracks, worn finishes, walls requiring preparation, and problem areas in the bathroom.

The owner’s objective: Not merely to repaint the rooms, but to prepare the apartment so that it could be occupied without searching for several additional contractors afterward.

Why a comprehensive format was selected: Painting alone would not solve the problem. Wall preparation, tiled areas, and plumbing tasks had to be coordinated in the correct sequence.

Work performed: We prepared a work plan, restored and painted the walls, completed the agreed tile and plumbing work, and finished the remaining installation tasks.

Result: The apartment was prepared for occupancy without a prolonged period of additional repairs after the main work.

Before publication, this example should be completed with the confirmed year, property details, and original photographs.

Project Example 2: Major Kitchen and Bathroom Upgrade in Kiryat Ata

Property: Kiryat Ata,2024, apartment measuring 4 ROOMS.

Initial condition: Old surfaces, a worn kitchen and bathroom, and recurring small problems that no longer made sense to repair individually.

The owner’s objective: Upgrade two technically connected areas and obtain a practical result without repeated localized repairs.

Why a partial major renovation was selected: The main problems were concentrated in the kitchen and bathroom, so there was no reason to dismantle rooms that remained in suitable condition.

Work performed: We prepared the surfaces, completed the agreed tiling, plumbing, and finishing work.

Result: The kitchen and bathroom were brought to an orderly and functional condition without unnecessary renovation of the entire apartment.

Before publication, add the confirmed year, property specifications, and “before—during—after” photographs.

How We Work at Timur & Co.

1. Initial Conversation

You provide the city, neighborhood, property size, property type, and desired result.

2. Photographs

Useful photographs include:

3. Inspection and Measurements

We inspect the surfaces, technical points, access conditions, and demolition requirements.

4. Scope and Estimate

The project is divided into stages. We specify what is included, what will be supplied by the client, and what requires separate approval.

5. Material Preparation

Dimensions, compatibility, and delivery times are checked.

6. Demolition

Once hidden areas are opened, their actual condition is assessed.

7. Utility and Preparation Work

Plumbing, electrical work, waterproofing, wall preparation, and floor preparation are completed.

8. Finishing Work

Flooring, doors, plumbing fixtures, sockets, lighting, and the kitchen are installed.

9. Handover

Any comments are documented and resolved according to the agreed procedure.

How to Inspect the Apartment at Handover

The property should be checked systematically.

Walls and Ceilings

Check:

Tiles and Floors

Inspect:

Plumbing

Turn on the water and check:

Electrical System

Test all sockets, switches, lighting, and planned connections.

Doors and Windows

They should open and close correctly and be properly adjusted.

Kitchen

Inspect the fronts, drawers, hinges, worktop, sink, tap, sealing, and appliance connections.

Comments should be recorded in writing and supported with photographs.

What to Prepare Before Contacting Us

To make the first conversation more useful, prepare:

Photographs help us understand the approximate scope. A precise major-renovation estimate is prepared after an on-site inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Major Renovation Prices Not Published on the Website?

Because identical floor area does not mean identical condition. The estimate depends on demolition, utilities, surfaces, materials, and access.

Can an Exact Estimate Be Prepared from Photographs?

Photographs are useful for the initial conversation. An on-site inspection is required for a precise estimate.

Must the Entire Electrical System Be Replaced?

Not necessarily. The decision depends on the condition of the system, future load, and the planned layout. Licensed work must be assessed and performed by an appropriately qualified specialist.

Must All Pipes Be Replaced?

Not always. Suitable sections can remain when they are compatible with the project and do not create an unacceptable risk.

Can Only the Kitchen or Bathroom Receive a Major Renovation?

Yes. A major renovation can be limited to one technically complex area.

Can We Live in the Apartment During the Work?

Sometimes the project can be divided into stages. During a complete major renovation, living in the apartment is usually difficult.

Who Purchases the Materials?

The client or our team, depending on the arrangement agreed before work begins.

How Is Additional Work Approved?

We show the problem, explain the solution and its effect on the estimate and schedule, and continue after receiving approval.

Where Do You Work?

Haifa, Kiryat Ata, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Haim, Nesher, and Tirat Carmel.

Major Renovation Without Random Decisions

A major renovation is an organized project in which every stage affects the next one.

The kitchen should not be installed before water and electrical points have been planned. Tiles should not be laid before the base is prepared. Walls should not be closed before hidden systems are checked. Demolition should not begin without a clear understanding of the final result.

The more precise the scope of work, the lower the risk of repeated work, delays, and misunderstandings.

Timur & Co. provides major renovation services for apartments, houses, and offices in Haifa and the Krayot, as well as in Nesher and Tirat Carmel.

Phone: 055-966-4053

Business hours: Sunday–Thursday, 07:00–22:00; Friday, 07:00–15:00; Saturday closed. A request can be submitted through the website at any time.

About the Expert

Timur Dontsov is the founder of Timur & Co. and has been working in the Israeli renovation industry since 2008.

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