How to plan a property renovation in Turkey while living abroad
Buying or owning a property in Turkey while living elsewhere adds a coordination problem to the usual renovation decisions. Photos and video calls help, but they do not replace a site assessment or a written agreement about what will be done. Use this checklist to make the first conversation with any contractor more concrete.
Start with the actual condition of the property
Send the address, a floor plan if you have one, and photographs of every room you want to change. Include visible dampness, electrical or plumbing issues, appliance locations and building access. Ask who will inspect the property and how findings that were hidden behind old finishes will be recorded. A price based only on listing photos can miss substantial work.
Ask for a scope you can compare
A useful proposal identifies rooms, demolition, plumbing and electrical work, surfaces, materials, installation and final checks. Clarify what is supplied by the owner, what is included in the quote and how substitutions are approved. If timing matters for a visit or move-in, ask what assumptions the schedule depends on. Compare the same work items across proposals, not just the final total.
Agree how decisions will be made from abroad
Before work starts, decide who may approve material samples, uncovered damage or changes to the original plan. Discuss the main contact person, the format and frequency of photo or video updates, and where written approvals will be kept. These are project-specific arrangements to confirm in the agreement; do not assume a messaging app alone defines responsibility.
Plan the handover as carefully as the start
Ask what will be checked with you before the work is considered complete. A practical handover record can include completed items, photographs, relevant product information and any points that still need attention. Keep agreed payments, changes and decisions together so both sides can refer to the same record.
What to send in your first message
- Property address and preferred language
- Rooms and work you have in mind
- Floor plan, photographs and known faults
- When the property can be accessed
- Your preferred way to approve decisions remotely
Discuss a project in Alanya or Istanbul
Renew can assess the property and discuss a scope and communication plan with you. The actual process, schedule and price are agreed for the individual project after assessment.
See our turnkey renovation process →