Start with the apartment you receive. A finish that works can stay; an awkward cabinet may need adapting; a damaged or unsuitable item may need replacing. These are different decisions with different amounts of work behind them.
Check the handed-over condition, transitions at doors and how the floor meets skirting and built-in units. If you plan an overlay or replacement, ask the team to review levels, clearances, preparation and removal. A finish selection alone does not establish whether the existing floor is suitable underneath.
Ask or check
Ask for a written scope for removal, protection, preparation, new finish and disposal where applicable.
What you leave with: A flooring decision that includes the associated work rather than just a material rate.
02
Kitchen: compare the storage you have with the way you cook
List the appliances, utensils and provisions that need a place. Review cabinet dimensions, shutter movement, counter condition and access to service points. Retaining the cabinet body while changing fronts or hardware is only appropriate after compatibility and condition are checked; it is not the same scope as an entirely new kitchen.
Ask or check
Record which cabinets, counters, appliances and fittings stay, and which are supplied new.
What you leave with: A kitchen scope with clear boundaries between retained and replacement items.
03
Wardrobes: decide from the inside out
Check usable storage, shelf arrangement, hanging space and how the doors open next to the bed. A wardrobe can look acceptable yet lack the storage you need. Compare an internal alteration with replacement, including whether the existing carcass and fittings can support it.
Ask or check
Measure the run, height and depth; agree lofts, drawers, mirrors and accessories separately.
What you leave with: Storage suited to your belongings rather than an automatic wall-to-wall replacement.
04
Bathrooms: distinguish a cosmetic update from site work
A new mirror or vanity differs from replacing tiles or moving plumbing. Ask the team what must be inspected, protected, removed and reinstated. Wet-area and concealed-service work needs appropriate professional assessment before the design is finalised.
Ask or check
Identify existing fixtures to retain and document preparation, plumbing and waterproofing responsibilities where relevant.
What you leave with: A bathroom comparison that includes both visible fittings and necessary site work.
Planning illustration · only selected, listed work belongs in a quote.
Put the decisions side by side.
Retain or adapt
Price the alterations, protection and compatibility checks.
Replace
Price removal, preparation, supply, installation and disposal where needed.
Do not compare a replacement quote with a supply-only rate. Check the work behind both totals.
Take this to your next conversation
Your practical checklist.
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Connect the advice to your apartment
Start with the right layout.
Room sizes, openings, handed-over finishes and building requirements differ. Use your own development and mapped flat, then confirm the site-dependent details with the team.
Livingly planning guidance helps you prepare questions and compare scope. Apartment dimensions, product specifications, building permissions and site conditions need to be confirmed for your own home. Inspiration images do not show delivered Livingly projects.
