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Building permits for renovations: A complete guide

except-admin • 11.05.2026 • 4 min read
Building permits for renovations: A complete guide

Do you want to reconfigure your space, redo the utilities, or knock down a wall? Before you start, there’s a step many homeowners overlook, one that can stall or significantly increase the cost of your entire project.

What is a complex renovation?

Not every renovation is straightforward. A complex renovation involves interventions that go beyond painting or replacing flooring, such as reconfiguring rooms, modifying electrical or plumbing systems, demolishing or building walls, enclosing a balcony, or extending a bathroom. These are works that affect the structure or functioning of the property and fall under Romanian law.

When do you need a permit for renovation or refurbishment?

Under Law no. 50/1991 on the authorisation of construction works, any work that modifies the spatial configuration, load-bearing structure or shared utilities requires a building permit. This means that demolishing a wall, opening up a kitchen into a living room, or rerouting utility lines cannot be done legally without this document.

In 2025, the process was simplified by Emergency Ordinance no. 31/2025, which sets strict deadlines: 30 days for urban planning approvals and 15 days for building permits. An important new provision is tacit approval, if an institution does not respond within the legal deadline, the permit is considered automatically granted.

Works that do NOT require a permit

  • Painting and decorating interior walls
  • Replacing flooring or other floor finishes
  • Replacing interior doors without modifying the opening
  • Installing tiles without structural intervention

What works require technical design documentation?

A technical project is not optional when intervening on the structure or utilities. It defines exactly what will be executed, in what order and to what specifications and it is the document that protects both the owner and the quality of execution.

For works affecting the structure of the apartment, you need a technical project signed by a licensed architect and structural engineer. The cost of this documentation typically ranges between 4,000 and 8,000 RON, depending on the complexity of the intervention.

Examples of works requiring a technical project:

  • Reconfiguration – demolishing or building walls
  • Modifications to the load-bearing structure
  • Extending or reconfiguring the bathroom or kitchen
  • Interventions on shared utility systems

Modifying utilities is one of the most common interventions and one of the most regulated. Replacing an electrical panel, relocating a water connection, or reworking shared columns requires approvals from utility providers and, in most cases, a building permit.

Documents and approvals required before works begin

To obtain a building permit, you must submit a complete application to the local authority (urban planning department), including:

  • Application for the issuance of a building permit
  • Proof of title (updated land registry extract)
  • Urban planning certificate
  • Technical project signed by a licensed architect and/or engineer
  • Approvals from utility providers (if utilities are being modified)
  • Consent of the homeowners’ association and, where applicable, affected neighbours

Common mistakes in complex renovations

  • Starting works without a permit, assuming no one will find out
  • Skipping the technical project to reduce upfront costs
  • Modifying shared utilities without approval from providers
  • Failing to notify the homeowners’ association before works begin
  • Failing to notify the State Inspectorate in Construction (ISC) on the start date

The risks of working without permits or technical documentation

The legal costs are modest compared to the risks. The building permit fee for residential works is 0.5% of the declared value of the works. For a renovation valued at 50,000 RON, this amounts to 250 RON, plus the ISC levy of 0.1-0.5%.

If inspectors identify unauthorised works, fines can reach 100,000 RON. Furthermore, continuing works after a stop order escalates the matter from a misdemeanour to a criminal offence.

Additional consequences:

  • Obligation to demolish or redo non-compliant works at your own expense
  • Inability to obtain final sign-off and, consequently, the correct market value for the property
  • Structural risks for the entire building, which may give rise to civil liability

How to work effectively with architects, engineers and contractors

The most effective approach is an integrated model, where design, permitting and construction are managed by the same team. This eliminates gaps between phases, reduces the risk of errors, and ensures that the technical documentation is correct from the outset.

Recommended steps

  • Consult a licensed architect or engineer before making any decisions
  • Obtain the urban planning certificate, this is the first mandatory document
  • Complete the technical project before engaging contractors
  • Submit the permit application and wait for the document to be issued
  • Notify the ISC on the start date of works
  • Ensure that the final inspection is carried out in accordance with the law

At Except Custom Solutions, we manage the entire process, from technical design and permits through to construction and final sign-off. One point of contact, one responsibility.

Contact us before you begin.

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Design & Build reduces costs in interior fit-out projects

except-admin • 31.03.2026 • 3 min read
Design & Build reduces costs in interior fit-out projects

Design & Build in interior fit-out projects means more control, fewer bottlenecks and more predictable costs. When starting an interior fit-out project, the first instinct is often to hire an architect, a designer, a contractor and several suppliers separately. It may seem logical at first. In reality, this type of fragmentation leads to the most common problems: budget overruns, missed deadlines and no clear accountability for the final result.

The Design & Build in interior fit-out projects model changes this equation completely. In Romania, more and more residential and corporate clients are already choosing this approach.

What Design & Build in interior fit-out projects actually means

Design & Build in interior fit-out projects means that a single integrator takes over the entire project. They manage the concept, technical design, furniture production, execution and finishes. The client signs one contract and has a single point of contact throughout the process. This model works equally well for an apartment, an office headquarters or a hospitality space.

At Except Custom Solutions, this model works exactly like that: “One contract, one team, one accountable partner.” Under one roof, the company coordinates design, interior architecture, renderings, custom furniture production and full execution. This also includes the management of all the trades involved.

Why a single contract reduces real costs

In a fragmented model, responsibility is spread across the architect, contractor and suppliers. When a problem appears, each party points to the other. It may be an unforeseen issue inside the walls, a system that does not match the design, or a supplier delay. In the end, the client pays for corrections, rework and extra coordination.

Design & Build in interior fit-out projects removes these hidden costs. Solutions are developed from the design phase so they can be built efficiently and correctly. As Ioan Dobre, founder of Except Custom Solutions, explains, the integrated model reduces errors, execution gaps and unforeseen costs. It also gives the client more clarity, more predictability and projects delivered as originally designed.

In renovation projects, this approach becomes even more valuable. Renovations account for more than 75% of Except Custom Solutions’ activity. They almost always involve structural unpredictability. Old systems, surprises hidden in walls or structures that differ from the original plans can quickly block the site. When design and execution are managed under the same control, the team can adapt the project in real time. This reduces bottlenecks and eliminates extra coordination costs.

The bottlenecks a single contract helps avoid

The most common bottlenecks in an interior fit-out project involving multiple contractors are easy to recognize.

  • Discontinuity between phases. The designer delivers a concept that the contractor cannot execute within budget.
  • Unsynchronized deliveries. Furniture arrives before the finishes are completed, or the finishes are delayed and block installation.
  • Diffuse responsibility. No one owns the full picture of the project, and no one takes responsibility for the final outcome.
  • Redundant communication The client unintentionally becomes the intermediary between the architect, contractor, and suppliers.

The Design & Build in interior fit-out projects model removes these bottlenecks through a single point of control. Except Custom Solutions manages design, production, and execution simultaneously. Depending on the complexity of the project, the delivery ecosystem can include up to 50 specialists coordinated internally.

When Design & Build in interior fit-out projects makes the most sense

This model is especially relevant in three types of projects.

  • Complex residential renovations. Here, unpredictability is almost guaranteed, and a single integrator significantly reduces the risk of budget overruns.
  • Office fit-out. In this type of project, deadlines are tight, and coordination between partitions, systems, furniture, and finishes is critical.În astfel de proiecte, termenele sunt strânse, iar coordonarea dintre compartimentări, instalații, mobilier și finisaje este critică.
  • Clients living abroad or unable to be physically present. In these cases, one trusted partner manages the entire process, with transparent reporting and documented decisions.

Discover Except Custom Solutions’ portfolio:

RESIDENTIAL

CORPORATE

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Apartment design in 2026: 7 trends worth investing in

except-admin • 30.03.2026 • 3 min read
Apartment design in 2026: 7 trends worth investing in

In 2026, interior design trends are moving further away from short-lived solutions and focusing instead on authentic materials, true functionality, and interiors designed to stand the test of time. For any apartment interior design project, the direction is clear: fewer passing effects, more long-term value.

At Except Custom Solutions, we are seeing this shift in more and more projects: clients are no longer looking simply for a “beautiful” apartment, but for a coherent, durable and thoughtfully designed space where design and execution are fully aligned. This is also the advantage of a Design & Build model: a single partner managing the design, budget, execution, and custom furniture, with greater control and fewer costs caused by errors or inconsistencies.

Here are the 7 directions shaping interior design in 2026:

  1. Natural materials used as base

Wood, stone, and tactile finishes are no longer just decorative accents. They become the foundation of the entire interior, creating a warmer, more authentic, and more durable space.

  1. Authentic wood, not just a wood lookalike

In premium projects, wood remains one of the best investments. Whether used in furniture, cladding, or architectural details, it adds visual depth and can be refinished over time, unlike many standard solutions.

  1. Matte metals and patinated finishes

Brass, bronze, copper, and brushed steel are replacing overly glossy finishes. These details bring understated elegance and integrate more naturally into contemporary interiors.

  1. Warm, earthy colors

Terracotta, deep green, espresso brown and mineral tones are replacing cool greys. These shades add depth and create an ideal backdrop for natural materials and custom furniture.

  1. Personalized interiors, not “catalog” spaces

More and more homeowners are choosing solutions tailored to their lifestyle. In a complete apartment interior design project, personalization means smart layouts, efficient storage, and furniture designed specifically for the space.

  1. A balance between classic and contemporary

Classic architectural details such as cornices or finely crafted woodwork are returning in combination with modern finishes and clean lines. The result is an apartment that feels elegant, yet current.

  1. Visual restraint, without cold minimalism

Instead of sterile interiors or excessive decoration, the trend is moving toward calm, coherent, and well-balanced spaces. Every material and every piece should have a clear purpose.

Why these trends matter for your budget

A complete interior design project carried out with authentic materials and well-integrated solutions may come with a higher initial cost, but it reduces future expenses. You make fewer compromises, avoid costly rework and gain better long-term value.

That is why, for homeowners planning a full renovation, the Design & Build model is one of the most efficient solutions. It ensures consistency between concept and execution, better cost control and a much clearer process from start to handover.

If you are planning an apartment interior design project in 2026, it is worth investing in choices that will remain relevant and functional over the long term.

Discover Except Custom Solutions’ portfolio of completed apartment interiors.