Guide pour rénover une maison en 2025
Partager l’article
mettre tag
Article
How to renovate an apartment and create a home that reflects your personality?
Sommaire
Renovating an apartment means transforming a property in order to adapt it to your lifestyle, update its design, or bring it up to current standards. But not all renovation projects are alike:
- A partial renovation involves only a few specific elements (refreshing paintwork, refurbishing a bathroom, etc.). It is quick, less costly, and often feasible without vacating the property.
- A full renovation implies a complete overhaul (electrical wiring, plumbing, insulation, redistribution of rooms, carpentry, etc.). It requires meticulous planning and the intervention of multiple contractors.
In both cases, renovating an apartment can serve several purposes:
- Enhancing and personalising the space: modern furniture and materials, improved natural light, décor that truly reflects your personality.
- Adapting the apartment to your lifestyle: additional storage, an open-plan kitchen, the creation of an office or an extra bedroom.
- Increasing the property’s value: upgrading insulation, installing a new heating system, or bringing the electrical network up to code.
At Maison Kyka, we offer our clients turnkey renovation of their apartment. From architectural design to interior decoration, our team of architects and designers is at your disposal to bring your dream apartment to life.
“We turned to Maison Kyka for our first investment! We are absolutely thrilled with the result—our apartment is perfect. We were supported every step of the way by Céline and Anton, who were attentive and highly responsive. A huge plus: deadlines were met almost to the day. We strongly recommend them!” Jeanne Sergent
Why renovate an apartment?
Improving the property’s energy efficiency and value
Renovating an apartment offers the opportunity to improve its energy performance. This is particularly important if you purchase a property as a rental investment, since upgrading the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC/DPE) of an older apartment allows you to rent it at a higher rate—or even to rent it out at all.
Indeed, under the Climate and Resilience Act, apartments with a G rating on their EPC have been prohibited from rental since January 1, 2025. Those rated F will be banned in 2028, followed by those rated E in 2034. Consequently, an energy-inefficient apartment is likely to lose its rental value rapidly.
Note
It is also easier to obtain a mortgage to finance a rental investment if the renovated property no longer falls under these EPC restrictions.
Even if you are purchasing your main residence, improving energy efficiency can lead to significant savings on energy bills. This quality makes the property far more attractive on the market, thereby increasing its resale value. Buying an apartment requiring renovation often results in a greater capital gain upon resale.
Here are some examples of works that enhance energy efficiency:
- Window replacement: opting for double glazing reduces heat loss and external noise.
- Heating system: outdated individual boilers or “toaster” radiators can be replaced with modern systems such as inertia radiators or air-to-air heat pumps (where technically feasible).
- Regulation system: installing a programmable thermostat, thermostatic valves, or home automation control helps reduce energy consumption.
- Thermal insulation: insulating ceilings (for top-floor apartments) or floors (for ground-floor units) can make a tangible difference without reducing living space.
Note
When buying in the secondary market, upgrading the electrical system and/or plumbing is sometimes indispensable. A compliant switchboard, secure wiring, adapted circuit breakers, and sound plumbing installations provide peace of mind at resale. Any prospective buyer will feel reassured by technically renovated systems, as they reduce the risk of hidden defects.
Enhancing aesthetics and occupant comfort
Renovating an apartment is also an opportunity to improve both comfort and aesthetics—turning a simple living space into one that is welcoming, functional, and carefully designed.
The kitchen and bathroom deserve special attention, as they are the most heavily used spaces. A well-designed kitchen optimises space, streamlines daily tasks, and enhances comfort. Likewise, a bathroom fitted with a walk-in shower, integrated storage, and soft lighting dramatically improves everyday life.
Note
Renovating these two key rooms is often unavoidable if you are overhauling the plumbing or electrical systems.
Beyond modernising equipment, improving comfort often means reconfiguring the layout: knocking down a partition to enlarge the living room, or conversely, adding a wall to create an additional bedroom. Such choices can transform both the perception and experience of the apartment.
Renovation is also the occasion to design a home tailored to your lifestyle: children’s bedrooms, a spacious dining room, or a laundry room for a family home; or a bright, quiet office space if you work remotely.
Small details matter—especially in compact apartments: premium-quality materials, cohesive colours, smart storage solutions, well-oriented lighting, and carefully chosen decorative accents.
Attention
For a complete renovation, you must take out construction defect insurance (assurance dommages-ouvrage). This policy protects you against defects that could compromise the structural integrity of the property or render it uninhabitable (water infiltration, subsidence, sealing failures, etc.).
Here are a few examples of bespoke apartment renovations carried out by our teams.
“My experience with this team has been exceptional. My architect fully understood my expectations and the project team was always attentive. My project was delivered on schedule and the final result is fantastic. I am extremely satisfied with the service I received.” Lyrod Levy
How to plan the refurbishment of an apartment?
Preparing a renovation project requires method and foresight, particularly in the case of a full refurbishment. The more rigorous the architectural design phase, the smoother the construction process will be.
Start by assessing your needs, constraints, and aspirations. Reflect on how you currently live in the property: what do you lack daily? What frustrates you? Do you wish for more light? Better insulation? A more functional bathroom? An additional room? Make a detailed list of priorities.
A sound approach is to define requirements room by room, but also transversally, considering themes such as:
- Thermal or acoustic insulation
- Optimising natural light
- Upgrading electrical and plumbing systems
- Interior flow and space planning
- Overall aesthetic: styles, materials, colours
Attention
If your apartment is part of a co-ownership (copropriété), your freedom of action may be limited. The bylaws may impose specific materials to preserve acoustic insulation. Structural modifications, moving technical columns, or altering the building façade require prior approval from the general assembly.
At this stage, calling on a professional can make all the difference. At Maison Kyka, we assist owners and future buyers alike in both the steps of acquisition and renovation of their apartments.
It begins with a style questionnaire that helps us understand your tastes, priorities, and real needs. This initial step informs our property hunters’ research and connects you with the most suitable interior architect.
Then follow three architectural design meetings to refine your project down to the last detail, while respecting your budget:
- A first meeting to revisit your objectives with your interior architect and property project manager.
- Second and third meetings to dive deeper into style, comfort, and energy performance goals.
Note
For technically complex works, we consult an engineering office to validate feasibility from a structural or regulatory standpoint.
At the end of this design phase, you receive a comprehensive dossier containing all technical and aesthetic elements: 3D design plans, colour schemes, selected materials, equipment data sheets, and more.
This roadmap is indispensable. A poorly prepared renovation project almost always leads to delays, budget overruns, and design errors.
“A huge thank you for your support. I immediately felt understood and reassured. Congratulations to the entire team for your attentiveness, availability, and respect for deadlines—which was crucial to me. I am delighted with the final result: thank you infinitely.” Murielle Bardoux
How much does it cost to renovate an apartment?
Budget is often a central concern—and understandably so. Before embarking on a renovation, it is essential to know what to expect. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer: the cost of an apartment renovation depends on the scope of works, which in turn is influenced by:
- The apartment’s surface area
- The number of rooms concerned
- The type of renovation (partial or full)
- The quality of chosen materials and equipment
- The degree of customisation (standard, bespoke, high-end)
- The pricing of professionals involved: architects, project managers, contractors
At Maison Kyka, we propose a price range between €1,550/sq. m (incl. VAT) and €3,000/sq. m (incl. VAT), depending on the apartment’s size and the range of materials selected.
These prices include architectural design, qualified labour, materials supply, and interior decoration—in short, a turnkey renovation designed to ease your mind and deliver a home with flawless finishes.
Renovation budgets can be reduced through various subsidies, such as:
- MaPrimeRénov’: a public subsidy for energy upgrades, the amount of which depends on income and type of works. Available to both homeowners and landlords.
- Zero-interest eco-loan (éco-PTZ): up to €50,000 interest-free, granted by partner banks to finance renovation works (can be combined with MaPrimeRénov’).
- Energy Savings Certificates (CEE): premiums offered by energy suppliers for specific works (insulation, heating system upgrades, etc.).
- Reduced VAT rate: works carried out in properties over two years old benefit from a reduced VAT rate of 10 %, or even 5.5 % for energy efficiency upgrades.
Launching and managing a renovation project
Hiring qualified professionals
Once your renovation project is defined, the next step is to select contractors who will carry it out. To obtain precise, consistent, and comparable quotes, you must present a comprehensive dossier: plans, list of works, technical constraints, and aesthetic preferences. This ensures each contractor understands your expectations, leaving minimal room for interpretation.
At Maison Kyka, we work with a trusted network of artisans, selected for their craftsmanship, reliability, and quality. We may also engage external specialists for highly technical trades, such as air-conditioning or smart-home systems.
Note
Engaging qualified construction professionals is also a matter of legal security. They must hold valid ten-year liability insurance (assurance décennale) and possess the certifications required in their trade (such as RGE certification, where applicable). You are fully entitled to request these documents before signing a quote.
Once quotes are validated, project scheduling involves coordinating the various trades (electricians, plumbers, painters, carpenters, etc.) in sequence. At this stage, entrusting site supervision to seasoned professionals can make all the difference—otherwise, misalignments (e.g., kitchen installation before electrical works are complete) may cause costly delays.
At Maison Kyka, this coordination is entrusted to a dedicated renovation project manager. They orchestrate the entire process, from ordering materials to final delivery, liaising between you, the contractors, the site supervisor, and our technical team.
Works commencement
The project is designed, contractors are appointed, quotes are signed—it’s time to break ground.
The site begins with structural works (where applicable): removing partitions, stripping old finishes, clearing outdated installations.
Next come secondary works: building new partitions, preparing ducts and conduits, installing plumbing and wiring—often with multiple trades working in parallel.
Finally, the project concludes with finishes: flooring (tile, parquet, etc.), wall painting, kitchen and bathroom installations, and bespoke carpentry.
At Maison Kyka, we ensure this phase is as seamless as possible. Your project manager tracks daily progress, anticipates necessary adjustments, and documents every step so you can follow the works, raise questions, and make informed decisions.
Once the works are complete, comes the handover inspection. Together with your project manager, you walk through the property, verifying that all works conform to the specifications and design dossier. If everything is satisfactory, you sign the acceptance report (procès-verbal de réception). At that point, the project is officially closed, and warranties (completion, biennial, and decennial) come into effect.
