FAQ
Everything you want to know.
28 answers about pricing, timeline, process, warranty, materials, and more.
- How much does premium apartment renovation cost in Vilnius?
- Old construction (Soviet/pre-war): ESSENTIAL from 399 €/m², CUSTOM from 599 €/m², LIMITED from 999 €/m². New construction fit-out: ESSENTIAL from 299 €/m², CUSTOM from 499 €/m², LIMITED from 899 €/m². All prices include labor, materials, insurance, warranty, and a fixed-price contract.
- What is a fixed-price construction contract?
- A fixed-price construction contract is one where the total agreed cost is locked at signing and does not change during execution, regardless of material price fluctuations or unforeseen complications. MEBA absorbs all scope risk in exchange for thorough pre-signing scoping.
- Will MEBA's price actually stay fixed?
- Yes. The contracted total is final. The only line items that can be added during execution are change orders — formally signed addendums explicitly requested by the client. No surprise charges for material price increases or hidden conditions discovered during demolition.
- How much is the first site visit?
- 80 € for the initial measurement and scoping visit. If you choose MEBA, the 80 € is credited toward the final contract. The fee acts as a quality filter — only serious clients pay, and it lets Markas Barilo (Director) personally measure, photograph, and scope the work.
- How long does a full apartment renovation take?
- Typical 60–80 m² apartment: 3–4 months. 45 m²: 2.5–3.5 months. 90 m²: 4–5.5 months. 120+ m²: 5–7 months. The exact duration is contractually committed with delay penalties. Source: MEBA's 720+ completed-project dataset.
- How soon can work start?
- Typically 2–4 weeks after contract signing. That window is used for finalizing detailed drawings, ordering long-lead materials, and assembling the crew. Rush projects are possible with a surcharge. Premium renovators are typically booked 2–3 months in advance.
- What is the MEBA process?
- 11 fixed steps: first email (orientation), paid site visit (80 €), proposal (28-day validity), detailed bill of quantities, fixed-price contract, execution (3–4 months), stage-by-stage acceptance with photos, key handover, 14-day defect list, 5–10 year warranty service, anniversary check-in. One project manager (Markas Barilo) for the entire project.
- What warranty does MEBA provide?
- 5-year warranty on construction work in the ESSENTIAL and CUSTOM packages. 10-year warranty in the LIMITED package. Material warranties from manufacturers (2–25 years). Every project includes 100% civil liability insurance for the duration of the work. Legal basis: Lithuanian Civil Code 6.665 and 6.687.
- Does MEBA have civil liability insurance?
- Yes, on every project for the duration of the work. This protects the client from damage to neighbors (water leaks, structural damage), engineering systems, or third parties. The insurance policy is delivered with the contract.
- What is the difference between ESSENTIAL, CUSTOM, and LIMITED packages?
- ESSENTIAL: 5-year warranty, standard high-quality materials, professional finishing, fixed-price contract. CUSTOM: everything in ESSENTIAL plus drywall (GKP) ceilings, premium materials, interior consultant. LIMITED: everything in CUSTOM plus full 3D design with visualizations, smart-home (KNX/Zigbee), 10-year warranty.
- Which package should I choose?
- ESSENTIAL fits practical investments where the priority is a quality, long-lasting baseline. CUSTOM is the most popular choice for premium Vilnius apartments — drywall ceilings, interior consultant, better materials. LIMITED fits clients treating the apartment as a long-term home (10+ years) or a high-end investment — full 3D design, smart-home, 10-year warranty.
- Does MEBA work without an advance payment?
- MEBA typically works with a 30% advance at contract signing, 25% at the start of finishing work, 25% at 75% completion, 15% before final handover, 5% after final handover. This structure protects both the client (final payment only after handover) and the contractor (materials require funding). All amounts fixed in the contract.
- Does MEBA accept bank transfers?
- Yes. All settlements via bank transfer against MEBA invoices. Payment term — 7 business days from invoice issuance. VAT (21%) itemized separately. Cash payments are not accepted; all finances are documented.
- Who buys the materials — MEBA or the client?
- Typically materials are included in the contract (turnkey solution). Clients can choose: (A) MEBA sources everything at the contracted quality level, or (B) client selects specific items (tiles, faucets, parquet) from MEBA's recommended supplier list. In both cases, MEBA handles transport, storage, and installation.
- Can materials be changed during the project?
- Yes. If the new material is more expensive, the client pays the difference; if cheaper, MEBA refunds the difference. Changes are formalized in a signed addendum. If the change affects work scope (e.g., different tile-bonding technology), work duration and cost are recalculated.
- Does MEBA only do renovations, or also new construction?
- Both. MEBA specializes in construction management — full apartment/house fit-out for old construction (atnaujinimas) and new construction (turnkey fit-out from bare walls). New construction is typically less expensive (from 299 €/m²) because there is no demolition, no pipe replacement, no removing old layers.
- Does MEBA offer interior design?
- The CUSTOM package includes an interior consultant (material and color decisions). The LIMITED package includes a full professional 3D design project with visualizations. The ESSENTIAL package does not include design — clients can bring their own designer or order MEBA's design service separately (from 25 €/m²).
- What documents do I get after the project ends?
- Work acceptance act, warranty certificate (5 or 10 years), materials certificates, engineering system diagrams (electrical, plumbing, heating), energy efficiency documentation, photo documentation (hidden work, junctions), insurance policy. All documents remain the client's property.
- Where in Vilnius does MEBA work?
- All of Vilnius and the Vilnius region — 65+ districts including the Old Town, Užupis, Antakalnis, Žirmūnai, Šeškinė, Pašilaičiai, Justiniškės, Lazdynai, Karoliniškės, Centras, Naujamiestis, Pilaitė, Salininkai. Premium projects are typically in central and historic neighborhoods.
- Does MEBA work outside Vilnius?
- Vilnius and the Vilnius region are the primary service area. Projects in Kaunas, Klaipėda, or Šiauliai are considered case-by-case (typically for large or premium properties). Logistics surcharges apply outside Vilnius.
- How many projects has MEBA completed?
- 720+ full apartment and house renovations in Vilnius. Zero unfinished. 87% of new clients arrive through referrals from existing clients — the strongest signal of premium construction management quality. Portfolio with photos and client reviews at meba.lt/projektai.
- Why choose MEBA over a cheaper contractor?
- Five reasons: (1) fixed-price contract (elsewhere prices typically “float”); (2) 100% civil liability insurance on every project; (3) 5–10 year warranty (the contractor must have the financial capacity to service it); (4) one project manager from start to handover (no hand-offs between people); (5) 720+ portfolio with zero defaults.
- Does MEBA work with old XX-century buildings?
- Yes — Soviet (chruščiovkes, brežnevkes), inter-war, and pre-war apartments in central Vilnius, Užupis, Antakalnis, Žvėrynas. Old buildings require checking electrical, plumbing, structural conditions, and ventilation. Premium clients often combine full renovation with preserving character features (ceiling moldings, original parquet, doors).
- Are permits required to renovate an apartment in Vilnius?
- Depends on scope. Cosmetic renovation (no structural changes) — no permit. Internal wall demolition/construction — a simplified declaration is required. Engineering system changes (electrical, water, heating) — may require a construction permit. MEBA prepares documents and handles all formalities through Infostatyba.lt.
- Can I live in the apartment during renovation?
- Not during a full renovation. The first 4–6 weeks are intensive demolition and dust/noise stages. Living becomes possible during the finishing stage (last month) but is uncomfortable (work hours 7:00–19:00). MEBA recommends temporary housing during the work.
- Does MEBA install smart-home systems?
- The LIMITED package includes a full smart-home (lighting, heating, cooling, blinds, security, multimedia) via open-standard KNX/Zigbee. The CUSTOM package can add a smart-home module à la carte. The ESSENTIAL package installs a solid baseline (Wi-Fi, ethernet, preparation work) so smart-home can be added later.
- Does MEBA work with sustainable materials?
- Yes. CUSTOM and LIMITED packages use sustainable materials: low-VOC paints, FSC-certified wood, recycled tiles, LED lighting, A++ class appliances. Strictly sustainable variants are available on request, with a small surcharge.
- Does MEBA serve non-Lithuanian-speaking clients?
- Yes. MEBA serves expatriates, diaspora returnees, and international clients buying or renovating property in Vilnius. Communication available in Lithuanian (primary), English, and Russian. Contracts and documentation can be issued in English alongside the Lithuanian legal original.
