When it comes time to renovate an apartment in Batumi, property owners inevitably face a choice: order a turnkey renovation from a professional company or hire a construction crew on their own?
At first glance, it seems that hiring a crew will be cheaper. But is that really the case — let’s find out.
What is turnkey renovation and how does it differ from hiring a crew
Turnkey renovation is a complete cycle of work in which one company takes care of everything: from design development and material procurement to the final cleanup and handover of the apartment with a signed acceptance certificate. You receive a move-in ready home.
Hiring a crew means bringing in a team of workers to carry out specific types of work. In this case, sourcing materials, quality control, coordinating stages, and finding specialist tradespeople (an electrician, plumber, or painter) all fall on the client’s shoulders.
Features of the renovation market in Batumi
Batumi is a city with its own construction specifics. Most new-build apartments here are handed over as a “black shell” — without partition walls, plaster, or utilities. This means the scope of renovation work is enormous from the outset. Add to that the high humidity of the Black Sea coast, which demands a special approach to choosing materials, and you have a task that is extremely difficult to handle without experience.
A significant portion of property buyers in Batumi are foreigners who cannot be physically present at the site to monitor the progress of work. This makes the reliability of the contractor a critically important issue.
Arguments for hiring a crew: why it seems like a good deal
At first glance, a crew looks attractive. Workers charge only for their labor, and it seems you can save on materials by choosing the cheaper option yourself.
It seems straightforward: agree on the terms, pay, and get the result. However, reality, as a rule, falls far short of expectations.
Pitfalls of hiring a crew
No contract and no guarantees. Most private crews work without a formal contract. If something goes wrong — tiles buckling, wiring leaking, cracks in the plaster — there is no one to file a complaint with. No warranty obligations, no accountability whatsoever.
Непредсказуемый рост сметы. Рабочие нередко занижают стоимость на старте, чтобы получить заказ, а затем в процессе появляются «неожиданные» расходы. В итоге финальная сумма оказывается значительно выше изначально озвученной.
Constant personal supervision. Without a site manager and regular reporting, you’ll have to monitor every stage yourself. For those living abroad, this is practically impossible. One missed moment — and the rework will cost more than the original job.
Missed deadlines. Private crews often take on several projects at once. As a result, work on your property keeps getting postponed and completion dates are constantly pushed back.
Lack of specialist tradespeople. A good crew can be versatile, but an electrician, plumber, painter and tiler are different professions. Finding one crew that does everything equally well is extremely difficult. You often end up searching for each specialist separately.
Language barrier. In Batumi, many workers speak only Georgian. Coordinating details, explaining design preferences, or resolving a dispute without a translator can be very difficult.
Why turnkey renovation is more cost-effective in the long run
When you hire a professional company, you pay not only for the workers’ hands but also for the organisation of the entire process — and it pays off.
Fixed estimate and transparency. Responsible companies prepare a detailed estimate before work begins and lock in the cost in an official contract. You know exactly what you’ll pay, with no surprises at the end.
Warranty on all work. Companies that value their reputation provide an official warranty on all completed work. If a defect appears within the warranty period, it will be fixed free of charge.
Remote supervision. Professional contractors provide regular photo and video updates, and the site manager is always reachable via messenger. This is especially valuable for those living in another country who cannot be on-site in person.
Comprehensive approach. A serious company has all the necessary specialists on staff: a supply manager, foreman, site manager, estimator, painters, electricians, plumbers, tilers, and plasterers. You don’t need to find and coordinate five different people — it’s all already organised.
Materials purchased at competitive prices. Professional companies work directly with trusted suppliers and buy materials in bulk. This allows them to source quality materials suited to Batumi’s climate, often at below-retail prices.
Meeting deadlines. When a coordinated team works on a project with a site manager responsible for the schedule, the chances of on-time delivery are incomparably higher.
| Criteria | Turnkey renovation | Hiring a crew |
|---|---|---|
| Official contract | ✅ Yes | ❌ Rarely |
| Fixed estimate | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Warranty on work | ✅ Up to 12 months | ❌No |
| Remote supervision | ✅ Photo/video | ❌ No |
| Specialist tradespeople | ✅ All in-house | ❌ Find them yourself |
| Meeting deadlines | ✅ Highly likely | ❌ Frequently missed |
| Language barrier | ✅ None | ❌ Possible |
| Final cost | ✅ Predictable | ❌ Often over budget |
When hiring a crew is still justified
There are situations where hiring a private crew can be appropriate. These are minor cosmetic jobs — for example, painting walls or replacing sockets — when you are on-site yourself and ready to oversee the process. If the scope of work is minimal and there are no complex engineering systems involved, the risks are significantly lower.
But if we’re talking about a full renovation of an apartment in Batumi from scratch — especially if you’re based abroad — choosing a professional company with a contract and warranty is a far more sensible decision.
How to choose a reliable company in Batumi
When looking for a contractor, pay attention to a few key points.
First, the company must operate officially and sign a written contract with a fixed price.
Second, it’s important to have a portfolio of real completed projects — not just attractive renders, but photos of actual sites.
Third, a good sign is the willingness to provide video updates and maintain online communication with the client. And of course, an official warranty on the work is a non-negotiable requirement of any serious contractor.
Turnkey renovation by Realux
Realux has been operating in the Batumi market and surrounding area since 2022. In that time, more than 40 projects have been completed, around half of which are turnkey apartment renovations. The company was founded by Andrei Melnikov, a specialist with a professional background and experience in construction and finishing since 2004.
The Realux team includes a supply manager, foreman, site manager, estimator, and specialist tradespeople: painters, electricians, plumbers, tilers, and plasterers.
This means that for a full renovation, you don’t need to bring in any additional specialists.
Realux offers several work formats depending on the condition of the apartment:
- White shell (240–280 $/m²) — for apartments in shell-and-core condition: partition walls, plastering, electrical installation, water supply and underfloor heating, screed.
- Fine finishing (280–400 $/m²) — wall filling and painting, flooring installation, bathroom tiling, door and plumbing fixture installation.
- Turnkey fit-out (150–250 $/m²) — the final stage: installation of furniture, kitchen units, appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and stretch ceilings.
Every project comes with an official contract at a fixed price, regular photo and video updates, and a warranty on all completed work for up to 12 months.
For remote clients, online communication with the site manager via messengers is available.
To keep the renovation budget from turning into an unpleasant surprise, it’s important to get a detailed quote before signing the contract. A fixed price backed by an official agreement is not a formality — it’s real legal protection for the owner’s interests. A transparent estimate combined with a work warranty eliminates hidden surcharges and gives you confidence that the final amount will match what was agreed. Taking the first step is free and commitment-free: get a free estimate and specialist visit at realux.site or by calling +995 595 03 17 06.
Bottom line: which is more cost-effective?
The answer depends on how you measure value. If you only look at the “cost of work” line in the estimate, a crew may seem cheaper. But when you factor in your time, stress, the risk of rework, the lack of guarantees, and the real final budget including all the “surprises” — turnkey renovation from a professional company proves to be both more cost-effective and more reliable in the vast majority of cases.
This is especially true for Batumi, where the specific climate, language barrier, and the remote location of many property owners make a professional approach not just a convenience, but an absolute necessity.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a permit to renovate an apartment in Batumi? Cosmetic renovation and interior finishing do not require permits. However, if a redesign is planned — demolishing or erecting partition walls, changing the bathroom layout — approval from local authorities is required. A professional company will typically help you sort this out in advance.
How does payment work — do you have to pay the full amount upfront? Serious companies work in stages: an advance at the start, interim payments as the work progresses, and a final settlement after the project is handed over. A demand for full upfront payment is a red flag — whether from a company or a private crew.
What materials are suitable for Batumi’s climate? The high humidity of the Black Sea coast sets specific requirements: moisture-resistant fillers and plasters, quality waterproofing in bathrooms and on balconies, and mould-resistant primers. Using materials not designed for these conditions quickly leads to defects.
Is it realistic to complete a renovation from scratch in 1–2 months? For an apartment in shell-and-core condition, such timelines are generally unrealistic. The full cycle of work — from partition walls to final finishing — typically takes 3 to 6 months depending on the size and complexity of the project. Promises of “done in a month” almost always end in missed deadlines or poor quality.
Is it possible to change the layout or design decisions during the renovation? Yes, but it’s important to do so before the relevant stage of work begins. Changes mid-process — especially after laying utilities or the screed — result in extra costs and delays. That’s exactly why it’s worth working out the project in as much detail as possible before starting.
