Question about renovation (plastering) of an apartment in a residential block.

Hello,

we are currently considering renovating an apartment in a large apartment block.

During the renovation, we would also need to slightly relocate some water pipes, because the bathtub is to be replaced by a shower. The toilet is to get a concealed cistern and the water pipes in the kitchen currently come out of the wall above the sink, they obviously need to be rerouted downwards.

Can this be done that easily, making changes to the concealed water pipes, or do you have to talk to the building management about it?

The apartment was inherited by my grandmother and is to be sold. Before the sale, we would like to completely renovate it in order to achieve a higher sale price.

Of course, we will still talk to the building management, but maybe someone here knows how this is usually handled?

Regards
Specki

Hello,

we are currently considering renovating an apartment in a large residential block.

During the renovation, we would also need to relocate some water pipes a bit, since the bathtub is to become a shower. The toilet is to get a concealed cistern, and the water pipes in the kitchen currently come out of the wall above the sink; of course, these need to be routed downwards.

Can you simply make such changes to the water pipes under the plaster, or do you have to talk to the building management first?

My grandmother inherited the apartment and it is to be sold. Before the sale, we would like to renovate it completely in order to achieve a higher sales price.

Of course, we will still speak with the building management, but maybe someone here knows how this is usually handled?

Regards
Specki

Hello specki, you are a pro here on the forum. How do you come to the conclusion that the value will be significantly higher after the renovation? I wouldn't bother if you only get 2 or 3 times the renovation costs back.

I would strongly calculate beforehand. But on the topic: You don't have to ask the administration. Possibly inform if other apartments are affected when the water is turned off. The work is common practice.

how do you come to the conclusion that I am a professional here?

It’s worthwhile in the sense that most of it is done by yourself.
For the two-family house that I renovated, I also did almost everything myself. The estimates beforehand were around €200,000 to €250,000. I managed to do it for under €80,000. With a lot of effort, of course. And if we now renovate the apartment ourselves and then make €20,000 more on the sale because of it, that does me an incredible favor with the loan on my own house.


Thanks, that sounds good if that’s the case :)

Regards
Specki

Water pipes, when they are located in the wall, are not subject to individual ownership according to the [WEG]; they are mandatory common property. In any case, submit a motion for the next owners' meeting to ask whether you may renew it at your own expense.

That's not true. Starting from the first shut-off device operable by the owner within the apartment, it belongs to him and he can change whatever he wants. Judgment by the BGH, easy to google