About This Site

The Background

My name is Andras Varga. I bought my first apartment in Budapest's 9th district in 2018 — a typical 1970s panel flat with all the charm that description implies. The bathroom had not been touched since the building was constructed, the kitchen countertop was peeling, and the linoleum in the hallway had turned a shade of brown that I suspect was not in the original colour chart.

When I tried to find contractors to do the work, I discovered what many apartment owners in Budapest already know: reliable tradespeople are booked months in advance, quotes vary wildly, and the quality of workmanship is unpredictable. So I decided to learn to do it myself.

The first bathroom renovation took me three weeks and involved several mistakes that I prefer not to describe in detail. But the result was genuinely good, and the process taught me things that no amount of YouTube tutorials could have conveyed. The second renovation — the kitchen — went much faster and smoother.

What This Site Covers

Sysvilavose focuses on practical, DIY-friendly renovation projects for Hungarian homes. The guides cover the kind of work that a careful, patient person with basic tools can complete to a professional standard: bathrooms, kitchens, flooring, and related improvements.

I specifically include information about Hungarian materials, suppliers, and building practices because these details matter and are difficult to find in English. The brands, the stores, the regulations, and even the standard dimensions of Hungarian apartments are different from what you find in guides written for American or Western European readers.

How the Guides Are Written

Every project described on this site is one I have completed personally in my own apartments. I update the guides when material prices change significantly, when products are discontinued or replaced, or when I discover a better technique. The date at the top of each article reflects when the information was last verified.

I do not accept sponsored content, free products for review, or payment from material manufacturers or hardware stores. The product recommendations reflect what I have actually used and found to work well. When a product is poor or overpriced, I say so.

A Note on Safety

These guides cover work that is legal and safe for a homeowner to do themselves in Hungary. Electrical work, gas installations, and structural modifications require licensed professionals — this is not just a recommendation but a legal requirement under Hungarian building regulations. I always note in the guides when a particular step should be handled by a professional.

Contact

If you have questions about a specific project, or if you have completed a renovation using one of these guides and found that something could be improved, please reach out through the contact page. I appreciate feedback from people who have actually done the work.