How to renovate an old house into a new one quickly, durably, beautifully, and economically 2025

Renovating an old house into a new one quickly is a method of renewing the finishing layer (tiling, painting, re-coating the surface) without destroying the structure, helping to save 70-80% of the cost compared to new construction and shortening the construction time from 4-7 months to 1 week - 3 months.

According to a survey of 200 interior design and construction units conducted in February 2025, Kosmos can conclude: “A thorough assessment of the existing structure is the most important first step. Reinforcing the foundation and load-bearing components ensures the long-term safety of the house after renovation.”

Renovating old houses with tiling materials includes 4 main groups of items: walls, floors, stairs, and facades. This method reduces 90% of dust, noise, construction waste and allows for easy maintenance or local replacement within 1-2 days.

This renovation method does not require a construction permit in 90% of cases, only structural interventions such as raising floors, extending balconies, and breaking load-bearing walls require a permit.

When should you renovate an old house instead of building a new one?

It is better to renovate an old house instead of building a new one when the structure is still good (the foundation is stable, no cracked beams or sunken foundation) and the goal is only to renew the aesthetics. This option saves 70-80% of the cost compared to building a new one.

3 cases where you should renovate an old house instead of building a new one:

1. House in poor condition in finishing (peeling paint, faded floors, scratched stairs).
2. Want to change the interior style (e.g. from classic to modern or minimalist).
3. Need to save 70-80% of costs and shorten construction time from 4-7 months (new construction) to 1 week - 3 months (depending on the type of renovation)

When do you need permission to renovate an old house into a new one?

Renovating an old house into a new one requires permission when there is structural intervention (raising floors, extending balconies, breaking load-bearing walls) or changing the shape of the building. Finishing items such as wall cladding, flooring, painting, replacing doors, and ceilings do not require a permit.

Specifically:

1. Permission required: raise floors, extend balconies, break load-bearing walls
2. No permission required: wall cladding, flooring, ceiling, replacement of finishing materials.

Renovation with tiling materials is a quick (1-3 weeks), economical (70-80% of cost) and legal solution for 90% of current housing projects.

How to estimate the cost of renovating an old house?

Estimate the cost of renovating an old house by determining 2 factors: the target (full or each item) and the area (m²). The cost ranges from 300.000 - 10.000.000 VND/m² depending on the plan.

What are the items included in renovating an old house with tiling?

Renovating an old house with tiling includes 4 main groups of items: walls, floors, stairs and facade. These 4 locations help change the appearance in 1-3 weeks without touching the structure.

Follow the order of priority: wall → floor → stairs → facade to save 30-40% of cost when the budget is limited.

What are the benefits of re-covering walls with decorative materials?

Covering the wall with plastic panels or bamboo charcoal panels conceals defects and increases aesthetics in 1-2 days by applying directly to the old wall or frame.

Advantage:

1. Cover cracks, stains, peeling paint.
2. Moisture-proof, easy to clean, colorfast for 10-15 years.
3. Rich designs (wood grain, stone grain, metallic).
4. Fast construction in 1-2 days, no dust.

Cost: 189.000 – 699.000 VND/m² (material price in October 2025 excluding VAT and labor).

What are the advantages of re-flooring with laminate flooring or locking plastic flooring?

Laminate flooring and locking plastic flooring have the advantage of being installed on a flat surface in 1-2 days without the need for glue.

Advantage:

1. Fast construction within 1-2 days for an area of ​​50m².
2. Save 40-50% cost compared to natural Laminate flooring.
3. Variety of colors (from light wood grain to cement color).

Cost: 199.000 – 679.000 VND/m² (material price in October 2025 excluding VAT and labor).

Can old stairs be renewed without demolition?

Yes, old stairs can be renewed in 1-2 days without demolition by re-covering the steps with imitation wood material without touching the rough part.

Advantage:

1. Construction in 1 day for 12-15 steps stairs.
2. Reduces 95% of dust and noise without affecting the structure.
3. Grip, reduce the risk of slipping by 70%.

Cost: 403.000 - 437.000 VND/meter (material price includes step surface, step collar, step strip in October 2025 excluding VAT and labor).

Can the old facade be renewed quickly in 1 - 3 weeks?

Yes, the old facade can be renewed in 1-3 weeks by adding a new layer of material without changing the structural frame. 4 popular solutions include: outdoor wood plastic cladding, ASA wood-like plastic panels, panels or plastic-coated aluminum panels.

Advantage:

1. No building permit required in 90% of cases.
2. Increase aesthetics and withstand sun and rain for 5-15 years.
3. Anti-fading with 95% color fastness after 5 years.

Cost: 500.000 – 1.000.000 VND/m² (material price in October 2025 excluding VAT and labor).

How does the home renovation process with tiling materials take place?

The process includes 5 steps from survey to handover, ensuring fast and neat progress.

1. Survey and measure the current status to separate the area to be constructed.
2. Choose materials and color schemes that match your home style.
3. Make detailed cost estimates by m² or meter length, steps (stairs).
4. Construction of each area: walls, floors, stairs, facade.
5. Complete accessories, cleaning and handover.

What should be noted to avoid additional costs when renovating an old house?

5 things to keep in mind to avoid extra costs when renovating:

1. Technical survey of current status, treat damp spots before tiling.
2. Determine the overall color scheme to purchase uniform materials.
3. Keep the existing electrical and water systems intact.
   
4. Complete accessories (molds, moldings, glue) from the beginning.
5. Construction in separate areas for easy progress control.

Frequently asked questions about renovating old houses into new houses

Does it take a lot of time to decorate an old house into a new one with tiling materials?

The time to decorate an old house into a new one with tiling materials is on average from 1 to 3 weeks depending on the area and construction items. Apartments are usually completed in 5-7 days, townhouses or level 4 houses about 10 days, large villas 2-3 weeks. The advantage is that it can be done in sections, without having to move all the furniture.

What materials should be chosen when designing an old house into a new one?

You should choose materials that meet 3 criteria (lightweight - durable - easy to construct - easy to replace) when designing an old house into a new one.

Specifically:

1. Wall: Use plastic panels, bamboo charcoal panels.
2. Floor: Wooden or plastic flooring, load-bearing flooring (mezzanine).
3. Stair: Step cladding with industrial wood or imitation wood plastic.
4. Facade: Wood plastic panels, ASA plastic panels, panels or aluminum plastic panels.

All can be constructed directly on the old foundation, without causing dust, noise or affecting the structure of the house.

Is renovating an old house into a new one with tiling materials durable?

Modern tiling materials have an average lifespan of 10-15 years if properly installed. For residential projects, this lifespan is enough to maintain the beauty and durability of the living space.

When renovating an old house into a new one, do we need to consider feng shui and light direction?

Yes. Because changing the color of the wall and the direction of light can affect the feeling of living and the flow of life energy. When renovating, avoid making the house stuffy, dark, and humid; prioritize ventilation and colors that match the homeowner's destiny.

How to renovate a mezzanine quickly while still ensuring safety?

Mezzanine is an item often used to increase the usable area for level 4 houses or townhouses with high ceilings. When renovating, choosing the right flooring material directly determines the safety, durability and construction speed of the entire area.

With the characteristics of light weight, durability and high load capacity, load-bearing plastic floor is the most suitable choice for quick and safe mezzanine renovation without having to reinforce the structure. In just 1-2 days, the living space can be significantly expanded at a much lower cost than building a new floor.

Where to buy reputable tiling materials for home renovation?

Kosmos Vietnam is a warehouse specializing in providing materials for design and construction agents nationwide. With a warehouse area of ​​over 10.000 m² and a network of over 500 agents, Kosmos distributes a variety of tiling materials including:

1. Interior wall cladding materials: PVC panels, bamboo charcoal panels.
2. Interior flooring materials: Laminate flooring, SPC interlocking plastic flooring, mezzanine flooring.
3. Exterior decoration materials: composite wood, ASA coated plastic, panel.

Visit Kosmos Vietnam warehouse through the following video:

Thanks to a stable supply and a dealer system covering all provinces and cities, users or construction units can easily access products suitable for each renovation category, from living rooms, stairs to outdoor facades. Contact Kosmos at 0932.067.388 for consulting support.