Renovating Your Fethiye Home From Abroad: How the Process Works

Many people with a home in and around Fethiye spend most of the year in another city or country. When the house needs painting, a bathroom renovation or some smaller repairs, the question is: "How will this work while I'm not there?" A job managed from a distance depends on clear communication, written approval and regular photo updates. This guide walks through how the process can work, step by step.

1. Describing the job from a distance

The first step is to describe what you want as concretely as possible:

• Share photos or short videos of the parts of the house involved. If you're not there, a neighbour or the site caretaker can take them.
• Write down what you expect: which rooms, which work, and by what date?
• Mention any preferences for colours, materials and brands.

With this, a first assessment can be made. A firm quotation usually needs a site visit, so arranging in advance who will open the door speeds things up.

2. Written quotation and approval

On a job run remotely, a written quotation matters far more than a verbal agreement. It should set out the scope item by item, plus materials, duration, payment plan, VAT (KDV) and guarantee. You'll find what a quotation should cover in 8 things every renovation quotation should include, and the contract side in what your contract with a tradesman should cover.

Giving your approval by email or written message creates a record for later.

3. Keys and access

• Keep a written record of who the key is handed to, and when.
• Let the site management or security know that work will be done at the house on certain dates.
• Agree in advance who the key goes back to once the job is finished.

4. Communication during the job

When you're not at the house, the most important thing is being able to see how the work is progressing. Agree on these points from the start:

• Photo progress updates: How often, and at which stages, photos or videos will be sent.
• A single point of contact: Who you send questions to, and on which channel (WhatsApp, email).
• Approval for extra work: If something unexpected turns up (hidden damp, faulty plumbing), you are told first, with photos, and nothing is done without your written approval.

That last point is the most effective way to avoid unexpected costs when managing a job remotely.

5. Payment

Paying in stages linked to the progress of the work is fair to both sides. Payment methods that leave a record, such as a bank transfer, are preferable. Whether an invoice will be issued, and whether VAT is included, should be clear from the start.

6. Handover and checks

When the job is finished, the handover can happen even if you're not there:

• Handover photos of each room and each piece of work, or a walk-through on a video call.
• A written list of anything missing or needing correction, with a date for fixing it.
• The brand and product details of the materials used, plus the guarantee document.

If you can, check everything yourself on your first visit back, and report any problem you notice under the guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be there for the site visit? No. You just need to arrange for someone to open the door. After the visit, a written quotation can be sent to you along with a summary with photos.

How can I be sure the work is done properly? Photos at each stage, a written scope and a detailed checklist at handover are the best safeguards. Having the guarantee in writing matters too.

Can the house be checked regularly once the work is done? Yes. For owners who live away, regular check visits and photo reports are available under the Home Care Plan.

Let's get started remotely

You can send a short description of the work you'd like done, with a few photos, on WhatsApp. We'll talk the job through with you, arrange a convenient time for a site visit, and prepare an itemised written quotation. For the scope of our services, see the painting and renovation page.

This guide is for general information. Every home is different; for your own home, ask a company that has seen the work on site for a written quotation.