Experience with renovating old building condominiums

Thank you very much for the quick and detailed response! Of course, we want to avoid exactly those brown spots. They only cause trouble in the homeowners' association. Did you then have no problems with broken tiles? The wooden floor does expand a bit, despite the chipboard panels, right? And for better understanding: What exactly do you mean by "getting the floorboards out"? Taking out the old floorboards in the sense of removing them? Or "getting the best out of the floorboards"? :) Thanks!

There were quite a few things wrong with the answer, so it's best not to ask any further. Chipboard panels do not belong under tiles. If the ceiling in the downstairs apartment gets stains, it is not solved with one bucket of paint, especially not in someone else's apartment. Dismantling, refinishing, and reinstalling a tongue-and-groove nailed or screwed floorboard floor is very rarely done (monument protection, special woods) and is more expensive than a new floor.

Didn’t you have any problems with broken tiles then? The wooden floor does move a bit, despite the chipboard panels, right?

The tiles were all intact. At least until I got out the Hilti...

And for better understanding: What exactly do you mean by "taking out the floorboards"?
Removing the old floorboards in the sense of taking them away? Or "getting the best out of the floorboards"?

Sorry, that was unclear on my part. I meant uncovering, that is, removing the layers above. And then sanding and oiling.

Quite a few things were wrong in the answer, so it’s best if you don’t ask further.
There should be no chipboard panels under tiles.

Thank you for your correction. I was unclear here as well. I didn’t mean to say that this is how it should be done or that I did it this way. I was only reporting that this is how it was in my apartment and it worked until I changed it.

If the ceiling in the lower apartment gets stains, it’s not fixed with one bucket of paint, especially in someone else’s apartment.

1. I consider the risk low in the kitchen, as I said, if you are a bit careful.
2. I am currently looking at my own kitchen ceiling and must say that the method I described, after water leaked in the apartment above, has made the brown stains disappear permanently. And that after two cases. That’s my experience – if you know better, that’s okay with me, but I wonder what else would have needed or should have been done?
And before you ask: The bathroom is above in the apartment, not the kitchen.

Dismantling, refurbishing, and reinstalling a tongue-and-groove or nailed floorboard floor is rarely done (monument protection, special woods) and is then more expensive than a new floor.

I didn’t want to suggest that either. As I said, just uncovering the old floor and refurbishing it in the sense of sanding and oiling.

Hello everyone,

a small update:
I am currently obtaining quotes for the plastering/filling work with lime. Next week, several craftsmen will be in the apartment to check the conditions.

In this context:
How can I assess how competent the craftsmen are?
I lack any experience here.
Are there things I should definitely pay attention to or ask about?
What should a good craftsman look out for during the inspection of the property?
How can I recognize defensive offers?

Thanks :)

How do I recognize defensive offers?

Not at all. Currently, all offers look like this o_O

Not at all. Currently, all offers look like that o_O

Uff. Okay :-)

What about my questions regarding competency?

Of course, you never have a guarantee, but maybe there are simple questions or topics that can help weed out unscrupulous actors?

I am currently getting quotes for the plastering/filling work with lime.

If you really want pure lime, then have them name the product they work with. Usually, these are lime-cement plasters. Make sure it is hydraulic lime (not air lime, which loses its alkalinity and thus what makes it so mold-resistant)... but maybe you've already dealt with that anyway. When I go through things with craftsmen, I like it when they are not completely taciturn and also notice/make suggestions themselves. If I ask questions (for example: How is the transition from beam to masonry done, with a paper separating layer?), there should be some kind of response. You cannot tile on pure lime, the craftsmen should know that, for example.