Renovating in Paris from abroad.

The short answer: yes.

Renovating a Paris apartment remotely is entirely possible. What makes the difference is not the distance but the set-up. With five companies to coordinate yourself, every decision requires you to be there. With one party responsible for both design and works, you make the decisions — the rest moves forward without you.

W.A.R.D is a high-end general renovation contractor based in Paris, with a presence in Miami. We work with owners who follow their project from another time zone, in English as well as in French.

What an owner abroad has to handle.

• The co-ownership (copropriété) — reading the building rules, declaring the works to the managing agent (syndic), and for some works a vote at the general assembly. See our guide to permits for renovating in Paris.
• Planning permissions — none for an interior renovation that leaves the façade untouched; a prior declaration or a permit as soon as the exterior changes, with the opinion of the Architectes des Bâtiments de France in protected areas.
• Access to the property — keys, the building caretaker, protection of common areas and working hours, which are regulated in Paris.
• Decisions — plans, materials, finishes: they must be possible on photos, mailed samples and video calls, without waiting for your next trip.
• Money — a payment schedule tied to actual progress, and clear visibility on what has been paid and what remains.

The general contractor: one contract.

The model that works remotely is the general contractor: design (our architects) and execution (all sixteen trades) under one contract. One party answers for the price, the timeline and the result. If a delivered detail does not match the plan, you do not have to arbitrate between an architect and a builder from the other side of the world.

How the project runs, step by step.

1. A first conversation — by phone or video, booked online. Time slots are shown in your local time.
2. The site visit — surveys, condition of services and structure, co-ownership constraints. The caretaker or a relative can let us in: you do not need to be there.
3. Design — plans, choice of materials and finishes, renderings when useful, all approved remotely. It ends with a detailed quote for the works.
4. Signature — quote signed online, payment schedule agreed.
5. The works — 4 to 8 months depending on size and scope. Every site visit produces a report with photos, available in your client space together with progress, documents and the status of payments.
6. Handover — joint inspection, snag list cleared, keys and documents handed over. The guarantees then take over, including our 10-year liability insurance.

Buying, then renovating: the right order.

For a buyer living abroad, the most valuable time is between the preliminary sale agreement and the final deed. That is when the company that will do the works should visit the property: the condition of services and structure and the co-ownership constraints can be seen before signing, and the renovation budget becomes part of the financing plan instead of a surprise afterwards.

It is also the right moment to start the design. If plans, materials and pricing are approved during the purchase period, the works can begin soon after the notary hands over the keys — rather than leaving the apartment empty while everything is decided remotely. Our article on works that add value to a property also helps set priorities.

Budget and timeline.

Our observed ranges in Paris: €1,000 to €1,200/m² for a refresh, €1,800 to €2,200/m² for a carefully executed complete renovation (€2,000/m² on average), €2,400 to €2,800/m² for the high end, over €3,000/m² for exceptional projects. Custom millwork comes on top (+€500 to €700/m² for a complete project), as does design. For 100 m² in a complete renovation, the order of magnitude is €180,000 to €220,000; details in our article on the cost of a Haussmann renovation.

On timing, allow 6 to 12 months between the first meeting and handover, including 4 to 8 months of works. Custom-made items (kitchen, stone, joinery) take 8 to 16 weeks to produce: this is where a late decision costs the most time — hence the value of approving everything during design. Details in our article on renovation timelines.

Three tips when you live far away.

• Decide everything during design. A change during the works has to be priced and rescheduled; remotely, it also takes longer to discuss.
• Come for the key moments if you can — sample approval and handover. The rest is easy to follow remotely.
• Insist on a written record of every site visit. Dated photos are worth more than “everything is going well”.

Four frequent questions.

Do I need to be in Paris during the renovation?

No. Conversations, plan approval, signature and site follow-up all happen remotely. We recommend attending the handover if you can, but it is not essential.

Do you work in English?

Yes. Conversations, quotes and follow-up can be in English, and our booking page shows time slots in your local time.

How much does a complete renovation cost in Paris?

€1,800 to €2,200/m² for a carefully executed complete renovation, €2,400 to €2,800/m² for the high end, excluding custom millwork and design. For 100 m², allow €180,000 to €220,000 for a complete renovation.

Who deals with the co-ownership and permits?

We prepare the technical side: declaring the works to the managing agent, and the planning file when one is needed. Any vote at the general assembly remains the co-owners' decision.

Living far from Paris and planning a renovation? Tell us about your project: we get back to you within 48 hours, at a time that suits you.