Guide · updated November 2026
How much does an apartment renovation cost in Cannes in 2026?
A full apartment renovation in Cannes usually costs between €1,100 and €1,900 per m² of works, excluding VAT. Here is how to estimate your budget, item by item.
The five levels of renovation
The price per m² depends first on the scope of the works. A simple refresh leaves services and partitions untouched; a major renovation completely reworks the layout.
| Level | Typical works | Price per m², excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | Paint, floors, minor repairs, existing services kept | €250 to €600 |
| Mid-range renovation | Kitchen or bathroom, partial rewiring, floors | €600 to €1,150 |
| Full renovation | All trades, no structural work | €1,100 to €1,900 |
| Major renovation | New layout, load-bearing walls, windows | €1,800 to €2,900 |
| Prestige | Fine materials, bespoke joinery, home automation, ducted air conditioning | €2,600 to €4,500 |
Ranges based on published benchmarks for Cannes (Orpi, Ynspir) and 2026 national averages (Quelle Énergie, Hellowatt), adjusted to local costs.
Example: a 75 m² two-bedroom apartment in the town centre
Full renovation, building with restricted working hours, difficult parking for deliveries. About 13 weeks of works.
| Item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Works, including access constraints | €86,600 | €149,600 |
| Contingency (8%) | €6,900 | €12,000 |
| Logistics: skips, protection, equipment, street permits, cleaning | €5,100 | €5,100 |
| Construction drawings and site management | €5,800 | €9,000 |
| Total | €104,400 | €175,700 |
What pushes the bill up
- An older building: services to replace, floors and walls to straighten.
- Access: upper floors without a lift, pedestrian streets, no parking for skips.
- Building rules: restricted working hours, compulsory protection of common areas.
- The season: from June to September, some towns restrict noisy works.
- Late decisions: changing a material once work has started almost always costs more.
How to keep the budget under control
Have construction drawings produced before asking for quotes. Contractors then price the same thing, and you compare prices rather than interpretations. Keep a 5 to 10% contingency for the unexpected, and insist on a written weekly report of any variance.
Frequently asked questions
What budget for a 75 m² two-bedroom apartment in Cannes?
For a full renovation with no structural work, allow €105,000 to €175,000 excluding VAT all in: works, contingency, logistics and management fees.
What VAT applies to renovation works?
In a home completed more than two years ago, most renovation work is charged at 10% VAT, and some energy-efficiency work at 5.5%. Contractors state the rate on their quotes.
Why are prices higher in Cannes?
City-centre access, parking, building rules and the expected standard of finish add 5 to 15% compared with national averages.
