Renovating an older home in Aundh, Kothrud, Bibwewadi or Deccan
Planning to renovate a 20–30 year old flat or bungalow in Aundh, Kothrud, Karve Nagar, Bibwewadi, Deccan or Shivajinagar? What to check, change and budget for.
Pune’s established neighbourhoods (Aundh, Kothrud, Karve Nagar, Deccan, Shivajinagar and Bibwewadi) are full of homes built in the 1980s and 90s. They often have generous rooms, good light and solid construction, and plumbing, wiring and bathrooms that have quietly reached the end of their life.
Renovating them well is a different job from furnishing a new flat. Here’s how to approach it.
Start with what you can’t see
Finishes are the fun part, but the money that protects your renovation goes into the services behind the walls.
Electrical
- Rewire if the wiring is old, undersized or aluminium.
- Install a new distribution board with MCBs and an RCCB (earth-leakage protection).
- Plan points for today’s loads: ACs in every bedroom, an induction hob, a dishwasher, geysers and charging points by the bed.
Plumbing
- Replace old GI pipes with CPVC or PPR. GI rusts and narrows inside over the years.
- Fix concealed leaks now; they’re the usual cause of damp walls.
- Consider a pressure pump if upper floors get weak water pressure.
Waterproofing
Older bathrooms rarely have proper waterproofing. If you’re redoing them, do it properly with a membrane coat and a ponding test before tiling. Our monsoon-proofing guide covers this in detail.
Decide what to keep
Not everything old needs to go:
- Marble, mosaic and Kota stone floors can often be re-polished and look excellent.
- Teak doors and frames from that era are usually better wood than you’d buy today. Strip, repair and re-polish them.
- Grills and windows can be replaced with slimmer frames to let in more light.
What usually goes: old kitchens, bathroom fittings, worn-out built-in cupboards and tube-light-era electrical layouts.
Layout changes: be careful
Opening a kitchen into the dining area or merging two small rooms can transform an older flat. But:
- Never remove a wall without a structural engineer confirming it isn’t load-bearing.
- Check your society bye-laws for what’s allowed.
- Moving wet areas (kitchens, bathrooms) is expensive because of drainage slopes and waterproofing. Keep them where they are if you can.
Typical scope for a full renovation
| Work | Notes |
|---|---|
| Demolition and debris removal | Plan disposal as per society rules |
| Electrical rewiring + new DB | Copper wiring, MCBs, RCCB |
| Plumbing replacement | CPVC/PPR, concealed where possible |
| Bathrooms | Waterproofing, tiles, sanitaryware, vanity |
| Flooring | Re-polish or new tile/stone |
| Kitchen | Full modular kitchen |
| Carpentry | Wardrobes, TV unit, storage |
| Ceilings, lighting, paint | Final layer |
A full renovation of an older 2BHK usually takes three to four months. A refresh without services work is much quicker. For budget planning, start with our Pune interior cost guide and add for civil, electrical and plumbing work.
Living through a renovation
If you have to stay in the home, phase the work: bathrooms one at a time, the kitchen last. Most families find it easier to move out for the noisiest four to six weeks of demolition and services work.
Why one contract matters even more here
Renovations involve the most trades in the most dependent order. A plumber who arrives after the tiler is a problem. Our turnkey renovations put every trade on one timeline under one project lead. Book a free site visit in Aundh, Kothrud or anywhere in central Pune, and we’ll start with an inspection, not a catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Should I rewire an old flat in Kothrud or Aundh during renovation? +
Usually yes, if the wiring is more than 20 years old or uses aluminium conductors. Modern loads such as ACs, induction hobs, geysers and many chargers need correctly rated copper wiring, a new distribution board with MCBs and an RCCB for safety.
Do I need society permission to renovate a flat in Pune? +
For interior work, you typically need to inform the society and follow its working-hour and debris rules. Structural changes, such as removing load-bearing walls or columns, need a structural engineer's approval and must never be done casually. Check your society bye-laws first.
How long does a full renovation of an old 2BHK take? +
A full renovation with rewiring, re-plumbing, new bathrooms, flooring, kitchen and carpentry usually takes three to four months, longer if you're changing layouts. Interiors-only refreshes are much faster.
Can I keep my old marble or mosaic flooring? +
Often, yes. Old Indian marble and mosaic floors can be re-polished and look excellent. If tiles are cracked or hollow, partial replacement or overlaying with new flooring are both options.
