Cost of finishing an apartment (from the bare plaster stage)

When you receive your apartment in "mahara" (bare plaster/gray shell) condition, the first question is usually: what does it cost to finish an apartment from bare plaster until it's ready to live in? The answer doesn't depend on area alone — the price changes based on the condition of the plaster and base installations (electricity/plumbing rough-in), the type of flooring, paint, and carpentry, the number of electrical and plumbing points, and the required finishing level. So the most accurate approach is to prepare a detailed cost estimate (BOQ) after inspecting the unit, rather than relying on a fixed price per square meter. In this guide, we explain how to calculate the cost and the most important items and factors affecting the budget.

What does "finishing an apartment from bare plaster" mean?

An apartment at the bare-plaster stage has moved past the red-brick stage, but the handover condition varies from project to project — the electrical or plumbing work may need completion or modification. So before calculating the cost of finishing an apartment from bare plaster, you should inspect the plaster's straightness, humidity, cracks, floor levels, electrical points, and water supply/drainage. This inspection determines the actual required work and prevents unexpected repair costs during execution. The Design Hub notes in its content that the finishing stages include electrical, plumbing, carpentry, insulation, flooring, painting, doors, and windows work.

Planning to finish your apartment? Contact The Design Hub for a clear vision of the design, scope of work, and a cost estimate tailored to your unit's needs and desired finishing level.
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Average cost of finishing an apartment from bare plaster in Egypt, 2026

There's no single price that applies to every unit. Published estimates in the Egyptian market during 2026 show clear variation: some estimates put basic economy or "luxe" finishing at around 3,500 to 4,500 EGP per square meter in certain cases, while specialized companies cite levels starting around 6,000 EGP per square meter for economy finishing, ranging between roughly 7,500 and 10,000 EGP for super-luxe, with luxury finishes potentially exceeding that. These figures should therefore be treated as indicative benchmarks, not a final quote.

At higher levels, define the specifications first and compare the BOQ line items rather than relying solely on the price per square meter — especially when choosing super-luxe finishing.

How do you calculate the finishing cost correctly?

Start with the apartment's area, then determine the condition of each item and whether it needs full base installation or just final finishing. Then choose the material grade, and calculate labor, transport, waste/loss, and supervision costs, adding an appropriate contingency for emergencies and adjustments that may arise during execution.

The estimate should include electrical, plumbing, insulation, flooring, painting, gypsum/ceiling work, doors, windows, sanitary fixtures, lighting, and basic carpentry work. A common mistake is multiplying the apartment's area by a commonly circulated number and treating it as the final cost; the more accurate approach is for each item to have a quantity, specification, and price — since changing the type of porcelain tile or the number of electrical points can change the total even with the area unchanged. Market guides also confirm that area, material quality, design, and labor are among the most important cost determinants.

Cost of finishing a 100 sqm apartment and a 90 sqm apartment

According to a price guide published in April 2026, the cost of finishing a 100 sqm unit at an economy-to-luxe level for certain items was estimated at approximately 350,000 to 445,000 EGP, excluding luxuries or high-value decor. So the cost of finishing a 100 sqm apartment can clearly rise if you choose higher-grade porcelain or marble, special doors, complex gypsum ceilings, custom lighting, or additional carpentry work.

As for finishing a 90 sqm apartment, this doesn't necessarily mean the cost will be exactly 10% lower, because some items aren't tied to floor area alone — such as kitchen and bathroom fit-out, the electrical panel, and doors.

For this reason too, if you're searching for "cost of finishing a 100 sqm apartment 2025," it's better not to rely solely on the previous year's prices when setting a budget in 2026, especially given changing material and labor costs.

What's the difference between plastering cost and finishing-on-plaster cost?

There's a difference between executing the plaster work itself and completing the finishing of an apartment already delivered at bare-plaster stage. When searching for the plastering cost of an 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, or 150 sqm apartment, floor area alone isn't sufficient to use.

Plastering cost is affected by wall and ceiling surface area, room height, number of openings, surface condition, and the thickness of leveling layers. The cost of finishing on bare plaster, on the other hand, relates to the remaining work after that stage or completing missing base installations — such as preparing surfaces for paint, flooring, final electrical and plumbing work, sanitary fixtures, doors, and lighting.

Cost of painting and decorating

Painting is one of the items whose price varies based on the plaster's condition, the number of putty/primer coats, the type of paint, color shades, decorative effects, and the actual wall surface area.

So the cost of painting a 100 sqm, 120 sqm, or 150 sqm apartment isn't determined based on the floor area alone, but requires calculating the surfaces to be prepared and painted.

The more the walls need crack treatment or additional leveling, the more materials and labor are consumed. You can also learn more broadly about painting/decorating stages and options before deciding on the appropriate paint system.

Cost of ceramic tiling and flooring

The same principle applies to the cost of installing ceramic tile in a 100 sqm apartment: a 100 sqm apartment doesn't necessarily need only 100 sqm of tile, due to bathroom and kitchen wall tiling, skirting, and cutting/installation waste.

Likewise, the cost of ceramic tiling for 120 sqm and 150 sqm apartments varies based on brand, grade, size, and installation method, and the budget can differ significantly if porcelain, marble, or wood flooring is used instead of ceramic.

In upscale units, it's best to coordinate flooring with colors, carpentry, and lighting from the start, and you can draw on luxury apartment finishing ideas when planning materials.

What factors increase the cost of finishing an apartment from bare plaster?

The most influential factors on the final price are: the apartment's condition at handover, the unit's area and number of bathrooms, material grade, the number of electrical/lighting points, the type of sanitary fixtures, doors and windows, ceiling and gypsum design, the extent of woodwork, required changes to interior layout, and transport/labor costs.

The design style also affects the budget: the details and ornamentation found in classic-style finishing may require different materials and labor than simple or modern designs.

It's also essential to separate interior finishing costs from exterior work that may not be included in the price quote, such as home facade finishing, so you know from the start what the estimate covers and what needs a separate budget.

How can you reduce the cost of finishing an apartment from bare plaster without sacrificing quality?

Start with a clear design before purchasing materials, and prioritize between items that need higher quality and items where practical, economical alternatives can be used. It's best to direct an appropriate portion of the budget to electrical, plumbing, insulation, and core work that's difficult to change after moving in.

You should also avoid changing decisions after execution begins, since relocating electrical or plumbing points or changing flooring types mid-project can lead to wasted materials and increased labor costs.

Compare materials based on quality, expected lifespan, and ease of maintenance — not price alone — and request an estimate that includes quantities and specifications rather than a generic line item called "apartment finishing."

If the project is larger than a typical residential apartment, you can learn about the important criteria for choosing a villa finishing company to handle a larger scope of work in a more organized way.

Why choose The Design Hub for your apartment finishing?

Choosing a company that combines design and execution helps tie the budget to the final outcome from the start, instead of making separate decisions at each stage.

The Design Hub was founded in 2016 by architect Ahmed Maher. The company's official website states that it has completed more than 100 projects, and its services include interior design, exterior design, execution of existing designs, and integrated solutions.

Combining design and execution helps coordinate materials and details in a way that serves both the final look and the budget.

Conclusion

Accurately determining the cost of finishing an apartment from bare plaster starts with an inspection and a detailed breakdown of items, quantities, and material choices — not a fixed price per square meter. The clearer the estimate and the more decisions are finalized before execution, the easier it becomes to control the budget.

Ready to start finishing your apartment? Contact The Design Hub for an inspection and detailed cost estimate to help you choose the materials and finishing level that suit your budget, and achieve a cohesive design and well-planned execution from the first step to the final touches.
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