Renovation in Belgrade is cheaper than in most European capitals, but prices have risen by 15-20 % over the past two years due to inflation and a shortage of building materials. Below are the up-to-date figures for summer 2026: material prices, craftsmen's fees, and typical budgets for 50-70 m² apartments in new buildings and old houses.
Average material prices for renovation in 2026
The cost of building materials in Belgrade varies greatly depending on the brand and place of purchase. On wholesale markets (e.g., Блок 71) you can save up to 30 % when buying large batches, but you'll have to pick up the goods yourself. In chain hypermarkets (Jumbo, Idea, Big M) prices are 10-15 % higher, but delivery is available.
Approximate prices for materials for a 60 m² apartment
| Material | Price, EUR/m² (or per set) |
|---|
| Ceramic tiles (mid-range) | 12-25 |
| Laminate (class 32-33) | 8-18 |
| Stretch ceilings (matte, white) | 35-60 |
| Sanitaryware (mixers, toilets) | 100-400 per set |
| Electrical (sockets, switches, cables) | 50-150 |
| Paint (water-emulsion, 10 l) | 25-50 |
| Drywall (sheet 2.5×1.2 m) | 8-15 |
| Interior doors (standard) | 80-250 per unit |
Where to buy
- Wholesale markets - Блок 71, Београдска пијаца (construction sector).
- Chains - Jumbo (Russian-speaking staff), Idea, Big M.
- Online stores - Građevinski.com, BauMax.rs.
Craftsmen's labor costs: rates for summer 2026
Prices vary according to experience, urgency, and district. In the centre (Stari Grad, Vračar) they are 10-20 % higher than in residential areas (Zemun, Novi Beograd).
Average rates (EUR)
- Demolition of walls/partitions - 5-10 EUR/m²
- Hand plastering - 8-15 EUR/m²
- Tile laying - 15-30 EUR/m²
- Installation of stretch ceilings - 20-40 EUR/m²
- Laminate installation - 5-12 EUR/m²
- Electrical work (socket/switch point) - 10-25 EUR
- Plumbing work (sink/toilet connection) - 30-80 EUR
- Painting (wall painting) - 5-12 EUR/m²
- Installation of interior doors - 40-100 EUR per unit.
Saving tips
- Order work in the off-season (winter, early spring) - discounts up to 20 %.
- Agree on a fixed price for the whole project rather than hourly rates.
- Check that the craftsman has a licence - without it you cannot connect utilities.
Typical renovation budgets in Belgrade
1. Cosmetic renovation (50 m² apartment, new building, no layout change)
- Materials: 3 500-5 000 EUR
- Craftsmen's labor: 2 000-3 500 EUR
- Total: 5 500-8 500 EUR
2. Major renovation (60 m² apartment, old building, layout change)
- Demolition: 500-1 000 EUR
- Electrical: 800-1 500 EUR
- Plumbing: 1 000-2 000 EUR
- Wall/ceiling finishing: 1 500-2 500 EUR
- Floors (tiles/laminate): 1 200-2 000 EUR
- Doors/windows: 1 000-2 500 EUR
- Total: 6 000-11 500 EUR
3. Renovation with design project (70 m² apartment, author's interior)
- Design project: 1 500-3 000 EUR
- Materials: 6 000-9 000 EUR
- Craftsmen's labor: 4 000-7 000 EUR
- Total: 11 500-19 000 EUR
Important: the cost does not include expenses for layout changes (permit from Градске општине), meter relocation, or gas connection.
How to find reliable craftsmen and crews
Selection criteria
- Licence (for electricians, plumbers, gas workers).
- Portfolio with photos of completed jobs - request before signing a contract.
- Reviews on platforms or community sites (e.g., Expat Serbia).
- Fixed-price contract - avoid verbal agreements.
Red flags
- Demand for 100 % prepayment.
- No licence or contract.
- Refusal to provide contacts of previous clients.
Permits and documents: what must be approved before renovation
Layout change
- Permit from Градске општине.
- Cost 50-200 EUR, depending on the scope of work.
- Processing time 30-60 days.
- Requires a project from a certified architect and a cadastral plan.
Electrical and plumbing
- Connection to the electricity grid - contact ЕПС, cost 50-200 EUR.
- Gas works are allowed only for certified crews (permit from Гаспром Србија).
Noisy work
- Prohibited on Saturdays after 13:00, on Sundays and public holidays.
- Notification of neighbours is mandatory (fine up to 500 EUR).
Hacks: how to save on renovation in Belgrade
Buying materials
- Watch for promotions in Jumbo - discounts appear every week.
- Look for leftovers from other projects on forums; unused materials are often sold.
- Replace expensive options with equivalents (e.g., ceramic tiles with porcelain stoneware).
Paying craftsmen
- Agree on staged payments: 30 % advance, 40 % after a stage is completed, 30 % on final delivery.
- When hiring a full crew for the whole project, ask for a 10-15 % discount.
- Help craftsmen unload materials - this can reduce the price by 5-10 %.
Saving on utilities
- Move meters yourself if it does not require changes to the engineering networks.
- For plumbing, choose local craftsmen - their rates are lower than those of international companies.
Useful links
Internal resources
External resources