Virtual renovation vs real renovation: which pays off?
Comparing virtual and real renovation — cost, time, outcome. When a virtual renovation is a better choice than physical works.
When you think about renovating an apartment or a house, the first thing that comes to mind is a real renovation — contractors, drywall, paint, flooring, mess and costs. But there is another option that has been getting more and more attention in recent years: virtual renovation.
In this article we compare both approaches — cost, time, outcome and the situations in which each of them is the right choice.
What is virtual renovation?
Virtual renovation is a digital transformation of an existing space using 3D modelling and photoreal rendering. Based on photographs of your existing space, our team creates a new look — we change walls, floors, furniture, colours, materials and even architectural elements.
Virtual renovation requires no physical works. Every change happens on screen, and the result is a photoreal image showing what the space would look like after renovation.
Comparison: virtual vs real renovation
| Aspect | Virtual renovation | Real renovation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | €66 per view | €10,000–100,000+ |
| Time | 3–7 days | 2–6 months |
| Mess and noise | ❌ None | ✅ Plenty |
| Physical result | Photoreal image | Actual space |
| Multiple variants | Easy (just change materials) | Expensive and slow |
| Risk of mistakes | Minimal | High (poor workmanship) |
When to use virtual renovation?
1. Selling a property
This is the most common reason for a virtual renovation. If you are selling an apartment or a house that looks dated, buyers struggle to imagine its potential. A virtual renovation shows them what the space could look like — and that motivates them to offer a higher price.
2. Investors and flippers
If you are buying a property to renovate and resell, virtual renovation helps you:
- Test different styles before any physical work
- Show the potential to buyers and partners before investing real money
- Create marketing material to sell before the renovation (pre-selling)
3. Architectural consultations
Architects and interior designers use virtual renovation to show clients the possibilities before final decisions on materials and layout are made.
And when is a real renovation unavoidable?
- When the installations are worn out (electrical, plumbing, heating)
- When the room layout needs to change (removing walls)
- When the structure is compromised (damp, cracks, foundations)
- When the space is physically used (you are moving in)
A practical example
- Client: Selling an apartment in a 1980s residential block
- Problem: Buyers cannot see the potential because of dated furniture and colours
- Solution: Virtual renovation for 4 rooms — 8 views
- Cost: 8 × €66 = €528
- Delivery time: 7 days
Result: The apartment sold for 15% above the initial asking price within 3 weeks.
Our recommendation
In most cases, the best approach is a combination — virtual renovation for marketing and showing potential, and real renovation only for the key functional repairs.
If you are not sure what you need, send us photos of the space and we will give you a recommendation — no strings attached.
