The situation is familiar: you bought an apartment in Tbilisi or Batumi — to rent out, for a future move, or simply to park money in property — and you live in another country. It needs renovating, but the thought of handing keys to a crew you met once in a chat is understandably unnerving. Flying in for every stage is expensive and unrealistic.
Let's be honest about how remote renovation in Georgia actually works: what genuinely works, where the traps are, and how not to end up with no money and no renovation.
Straight up: "fully blind" doesn't exist
Let's start with what others won't say. A fully remote renovation where you never cross paths with anyone is nice advertising, not real life. Someone has to open the door for the surveyor, let the electrician in, receive the first delivery of materials. At the start you need one point of contact on the ground: you for a couple of days, a trusted person, your realtor, or our engineer by proxy. After that — yes, you can run everything from abroad; we do it all the time. But promising "you won't have to do anything at all" is the first sign someone's playing you.
What it looks like in practice
A recent example: an owner from London, a 72 m² apartment in Saburtalo, a major renovation. He flew in once — for the initial survey and to sign the contract. Three months of work ran over video: a photo report on WhatsApp every evening, a video walkthrough once a week, hidden works (electrics, screed, waterproofing) filmed before they were closed up. He accepted the finish over a video call and collected the keys to a finished apartment. This isn't the exception — it's our normal mode.
What remote control is actually made of
It's not "trust" that works — it's routine. Every working day, photos and a short progress video. Before anything gets closed up — wires into the wall, pipes into the screed, waterproofing under tile — we film it separately: you can't check it later, and redoing it costs half a renovation. Before you pay for each stage, a video acceptance — you watch live, not after the fact. And one manager who speaks your language and is personally responsible for the project, not a nameless crew you can't reach.
The contract isn't a formality — it's your leverage
At a distance, the contract is the only thing that actually protects you. What matters isn't that "there is a contract" but what's in it. Ours hard-locks four things: the price for labour (it doesn't grow — any change only with your written consent), the completion date with a penalty for delay, staged payment, and a 1-year warranty. The company is registered in Georgia and the contract is in English/Russian and Georgian. That means if there's a dispute, you have someone — and grounds — to make a claim against. "A note from Gogi" gives you none of that.
1. "Will you give me a contract with a fixed price and a penalty for missing the deadline?"
2. "Will you send photos of hidden works before you close them up?"
3. "Is payment staged against completed work — or do you need a big advance up front?"
If any answer is "no," "later," or "why would you need that" — end the conversation. A reliable contractor isn't afraid of these questions.
Materials: where money usually leaks
The murkiest zone in any renovation is materials, and remotely most of all. We split them in two. Rough materials (mixes, plaster, wiring, pipes, waterproofing) we buy and deliver — from trusted vendors, by receipt, at wholesale prices. Finish materials (tiles, plumbing, flooring, doors) are your call: we source them to your references and buy, or you supply your own. The key: the estimate price is for labour, and materials are a separate transparent line. The moment someone quotes one lump "turnkey with everything" figure — that's exactly where it all "floats" later.
Red flags of remote work
You can't just "drop by," so mistakes cost more. Be wary if a contractor works without a contract or offers a note; demands 100% up front or a large advance before starting; sends no reports or "forgets" to film hidden works; quotes a price "as we go"; has no registration in Georgia. Any one of these on its own is reason to pause. Two or more — run.
How to pay if you're not in Georgia
We work in GEL at the official rate. Payment goes through Georgian banks (TBC, Bank of Georgia, Credo), foreign cards work fine, and there are no restrictions for non-residents. You pay in stages — against accepted work, not the whole sum up front. Before the contract is signed, you pay nothing at all.
Frequently asked questions
Can I renovate an apartment in Tbilisi if I live abroad?
Yes — it's our main format. A fixed-price contract, daily photo/video reports on WhatsApp, video acceptance of stages and staged payment let you fully control the renovation remotely. Many clients never visit once.
How do I control hidden works without being on site?
We film and photograph electrics, waterproofing, screed and pipework before they're closed up and send it to you, plus an as-built drawing of the utilities. Nothing is sealed without your confirmation.
Do I need to prepay for the whole renovation?
No. Payment is staged — as work is completed and accepted. Paying everything up front is unnecessary and unsafe; no payment is required before the contract is signed.
Who buys the materials if I'm not in Georgia?
We source rough materials and handle supply. Finish materials (tiles, plumbing, flooring) are your choice — we buy to your references or you supply your own. Everything by receipt.
How can I pay if not in GEL?
We work in GEL at the official rate; payment through Georgian banks without restrictions, and foreign cards work. Staged, against accepted stages.
Let's talk about your remote renovation
We'll explain how it works and prepare an estimate and plan — even if you're not in Georgia. An English/Russian-speaking manager is on WhatsApp.
Contact us →