Interior Fit Brochure
File Size 1.3 MB

In the 1960s and 1970s Polish developers delivered apartments to a finished standard. Buyers however, disappointed with the poor levels of finish, began to demand that the builders just gave them a shell at a cheaper price.

The new home owner could then choose through what was available, or via the black market, flooring and tiling as well as kitchens and bathrooms more in line with their desires.

The mentality has stuck and so most new units are sold with a screeded floor, plastered walls, radiators, external windows and doors. Sometimes internal doors and windowsills are included, the rest is for the buyer.

Some builders, predominantly those focusing on the foreign market, have stared to offer fully fitted apartments and in these cases it is both easier and financially better to take advantage of their economies of scale and let the developer handle the fit out.

Where this is not possible the developer may recommend a company but special care must be taken in hiring the right people to handle the project. Not only can it stop long delays but also get round costly rework when this jobs are not carried out correctly the first time.

The first type to avoid are those who are too cheap. They may have been recommended by the builder or a selling agent and often they are friends or friends of friends. This may also be their first or second job. Yesterday they were a taxi driver, today they are a tiler. They will offer you exceptionally good prices and when you complain about the various defects they will look surprised and ask “What did you expect for this price?”.

The second type are those who are paid by the day. Naturally drinking a cup of coffee and being paid for it is far more inviting than tiling your bathroom and work is rarely finished on time.

The third type are those who are unusually expensive. In general they work only for foreign buyers and assume your wallet is both deep and flexible.

When you consider the various quotes check carefully that VAT is included (the quote will be marked ‘Brutto’). Also test the companies to see if they are hiding costs such as rubbish clearance, transport or delivery, accessories like glue and so on. The easiest way to do this is to ask them to state in writing that the final price of the work will not rise above the quote and if it does so they will pay the cost. This is a surprisingly quick and effective way of flushing out the ones planning to sting you further down the line.

Budget around 1,000 to 1,500 zlotys per square meter for a reasonable finish that would be acceptable to a young professional couple looking to rent. Always pay by the meter – in other words so much per square meter for painting, flooring, tiling and so on. In all cases inspect the work yourself or have someone you trust do it for you and do not be afraid to take legal advice if you believe it is necessary.

Abroad Polish tradesmen enjoy an excellent reputation but they are motivated by high earnings to take back to Poland and buy land or property. The same motivation does not always apply domestically and while there are a large number of professional and high quality workers there are an equal number, if not more, who took up the trade yesterday.

On a final note should you choose to visit a property mid fit out be prepared for an apparent apathy to health and safety with circular saws ready to be trodden on, cutting equipment operated without eye or ear protection, and so on. In this regard Poland still has some way to go.

This is an extract from the book
Buying Property in Poland