Apartment renovation costs in Bergamo: prices per m² and what changes them

Renovating an apartment in Bergamo costs, according to market data collected in October 2026, from around €400/m² for light work up to €1,200–1,800/m² for a full renovation including services, bathroom, kitchen, floors and windows. These figures cover the building work only: they exclude furniture, appliances, professional fees and contingencies, which can add a large share on top.

In this guide I explain what prices depend on, why quotes vary so much and what costs more in 1960s and 1970s apartments, like many of those I renovate in Bergamo.

Prices per m² in Bergamo by type of work

Source: indicative ranges for Bergamo published by industry websites, October 2026. Figures online vary widely: Edilnet quotes €190–430/m², while other sites such as costo-ristrutturazione-casa.it give much higher ranges. The reason is almost always the same: they aren't measuring the same thing.

Why quotes vary so much

Two quotes for the same apartment can differ by a factor of two. Before comparing them, check:

• What's included. A turnkey quote covers services, bathrooms and windows; another may cover only masonry and floors and leave the rest out.
• The starting point. Redoing 1960s wiring costs far more than upgrading a recent system.
• Finishes. Mid-range porcelain tiles and herringbone parquet change the price per square metre.
• VAT and extras. Some quotes list VAT separately and some don't; the same goes for waste disposal, scaffolding and final cleaning.
• Quantities. Without a design and a bill of quantities, every contractor estimates in their own way.

That's why, when I run a renovation, I prepare the bill of quantities from the design and request quotes on that basis: that way the offers can genuinely be compared.

1960s and 1970s apartments: what costs more

Many of the apartments I renovate in Bergamo date from the 1960s and 1970s. They often have generous spaces and a sound structure, but some items weigh more than expected:

• Electrical system. It often needs replacing entirely: undersized cables, too few sockets, inadequate fuse boards.
• Pipes and drains. Old galvanised iron pipes clog and leak: in a full renovation it's worth replacing them.
• Central heating. If the building has central heating, changes to radiators and pipework need to be coordinated with the condominium.
• Materials to check before demolition. Buildings constructed before 1992 may contain asbestos materials, for example in some floor tiles or flues: they need checking before work starts.
• Load-bearing walls. Moving a load-bearing wall requires a structural design and costs far more than a partition wall.
• Original floors. Terrazzo and cement tiles can sometimes be restored and showcased, saving money and giving a unique result.
• Windows. Single-glazed windows and uninsulated shutter boxes lose a lot of heat: replacing them weighs on the budget but also on the bills.

One example is the LOVINGCOLORS apartment, 80 m² from the 1960s in Bergamo: with the full renovation we removed the long corridor, joined kitchen, dining and living room and gained an extra room.

An example: 80 m² in Bergamo

Applying the market ranges to an 80 m² apartment with a full renovation, the building work alone comes to roughly €96,000 (80 × 1,200) to €144,000 (80 × 1,800). The items in the next section come on top.

The costs people forget

The price per square metre tells only part of the story. The total budget also includes:

• Professional fees: design, site supervision, permits. I cover this in detail in how much an architect costs for a home renovation.
• Permits and fees: municipal fees, land registry update, any regularisation.
• Furniture and appliances: the fitted kitchen, wardrobes, bespoke furniture.
• Moving out and temporary housing: during a full renovation you usually can't live at home.
• Contingencies: a reserve of 10–15% of the building cost is sensible, especially in older buildings.

If you haven't bought the home yet, one cost can outweigh all the others: an irregularity to regularise. Before signing, have planning and land registry compliance checked with a home-buying consultancy.

Tax incentives

In Italy many renovation works qualify for tax deductions, but rates, spending caps and requirements change almost every year with the budget law. The advice is to check the rules in force in the year of the works and to set up invoices and payments correctly from the start. When I supervise a site, I help prepare the necessary paperwork.

Timing

For a 70–90 m² apartment with a full renovation, design and permits usually take a few weeks and the works a few months. The exact schedule is set after the survey, depending on the work involved and the contractor's availability.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay everything up front?

No. Works are usually paid in progress valuations, in instalments as each part is completed and checked. Checking each valuation before payment is one of the site supervisor's jobs.

How much does redoing just the bathroom cost?

It depends mainly on size, on which services have to move and on the finishes.

Measurements, choices and up-to-date market ranges are in the guide on how to design a bathroom.

Does the price per square metre include the kitchen?

It usually includes the kitchen's services and wall finishes, not the units and appliances, which are budgeted separately.

Is it worth renovating before moving in?

Almost always: working in an empty home is quicker, cheaper and far less stressful than with furniture and family inside.

Want an estimate for your apartment? If you're ready to renovate, see how I work on apartment renovation in Bergamo; if you still have to buy, start with the home-buying consultancy.