Renovating an apartment in Morocco: the budget item by item
Updated 2026-10-21
Renovating a flat in Morocco usually means coordinating several tradespeople: a mason (maçon), plumber (plombier), electrician (électricien), tiler (carreleur, or zellaji for zellige), joiner (menuisier) and painter (peintre). The budget depends mainly on the state of the property and the finishes you choose, and the nasty surprises come from forgotten items. Whether you live here or are renovating from abroad, here are indicative MAD ranges from specialist sources, the logical order of works and rules to keep the budget under control.
Prices item by item
These ranges are indicative, taken from Moroccan guides published in 2026 with Casablanca and Rabat as the reference. Prices vary by city, site access, material quality and tradesperson: always get several quotes (devis).
- Interior painting: about 30–60 MAD/m² labour for two coats, paint not included; one guide gives 15,000–25,000 MAD for the interior of a 100 m² home
- Tiling: about 80–180 MAD/m² to lay, tiles not included; 30,000–60,000 MAD for 100 m² of floor including materials, per the same guide
- Kitchen (fit-out and plumbing): about 40,000–90,000 MAD
- Bathroom: about 20,000–50,000 MAD
- Electrics and plumbing: usually priced per job; as a benchmark, a qualified electrician's or plumber's day is roughly 300–550 MAD
- Central air-conditioning for 100 m²: about 35,000–70,000 MAD
What pushes the budget up
- An older flat: wiring without earth, corroded galvanised pipes, floors that need levelling
- Stripping out rather than refreshing: removing old tiles takes time and rubble removal
- Finishes: zellige, marble, tadelakt, solid wood or high-end aluminium cost far more than standard tiles and paint
- Access: high floor with no lift, a narrow medina lane, difficult parking
- Changes mid-project, the number one cause of overruns
The right order of works
Following the order avoids breaking what was just finished.
- Demolition and rubble removal
- Masonry: partitions, openings, wall repairs
- Concealed plumbing and electrics
- Rendering, plaster and false ceilings
- Tiling, floors and wall tiles
- Joinery: doors, wardrobes, aluminium or wooden windows
- Painting, then fitting appliances, lights and accessories
Protecting your budget
A Moroccan guide to financing works advises keeping about 15% of the budget in reserve, since estimates are often exceeded. It also recommends paying no more than 30% at signing, around 40% at mid-point after checking the work, and the balance on completion.
- Get a written, itemised quote with quantities and material references
- Buy finishing materials yourself if you want control over quality
- Keep every invoice and photograph pipes and cables before walls are closed, essential if you are supervising remotely
- Agree any change and its price in writing before it starts
Permits and building rules
Work that touches the structure (opening a load-bearing wall, demolition, extensions) needs authorisation: check with your local council's planning office before starting. In an apartment building, inform the syndic (building manager): noise hours, use of the lift, rubble removal and any work on shared risers.
What to check before paying the balance
Handover is the moment to check everything, room by room, before releasing the last payment. Take your time and put any snags in writing; if you are abroad, ask a trusted relative or caretaker to do this walk-through with a video call.
- Electrics: every socket and switch works, the board is labelled, the RCD trips when you press its test button
- Plumbing: no drips under sinks, showers drain well, no damp on the neighbour's ceiling
- Tiling: even grout lines, no hollow-sounding tiles, correct falls towards drains
- Joinery: doors and windows close without forcing, seals fitted
- Paint: no roller marks or runs when lit from the side
- Cleaning and rubble removal done as stated in the quote
Finding your tradespeople with AloAji
On aloaji.ma, search each trade (maçon, plombier, électricien, carreleur, menuisier, peintre) in your city and call or WhatsApp them directly, for free. Compare at least two or three quotes. 'Non vérifié' profiles are businesses not yet checked by AloAji: ask for photos of recent jobs and references.
FAQ
How much does it cost to renovate a 100 m² flat in Morocco?
There is no single price: it depends on condition and finishes. Adding up the items, painting, floors, kitchen and bathroom can already exceed 100,000 MAD. Get each item priced separately.
What is the price of painting per m² in Morocco?
As a rough guide, about 30–60 MAD/m² labour for two coats, paint not included. Prices vary by city and wall condition.
How much contingency should I plan?
A Moroccan guide recommends around 15% of the budget. In an older property, planning more is wise.
Do I need a permit to renovate?
Not for finishing work. To alter the structure, demolish or extend, you need authorisation: ask your local council.
How should I pay tradespeople?
Avoid paying everything upfront. A schedule like 30% at signing, 40% at mid-point and 30% on completion is often advised.