How do I restore, finish or redecorate my property in Aleppo while living abroad?
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The short answer: You can restore your property in Aleppo, finish it, redecorate it or bring it fully back to life without travelling – whether it is an apartment, a villa, a farm, a building, a hall or a shop. The condition is that the work follows this order: a photo-documented inspection that shows the property’s real condition; then a quotation with priced items rather than a lump sum; then a written contract with payments tied to progress; then execution you follow through dated photo reports; and finally a handover with a record for each stage. What protects you is not being close to the property, but a document at every step.
Restoration, finishing or redecoration?
The path is the same whatever you want:
- Restoration: a property that was damaged or neglected for years and needs repair before anything else.
- Finishing: a property left as a shell or half-finished that you want to complete, to live in or to rent out.
- Redecoration and revival: an existing property you want to give a new look, or bring back to life after a long absence.
The property may also need other work: installations and energy, or fire safety and security systems – especially shops, halls and buildings. A project spanning more than one field is managed under a single contract.
1. Know the property’s condition before any decision
Don’t start by asking “how much will it cost?” before you know what the property actually needs. Photos sent by a relative or a neighbour show what catches the eye, but not always what matters: the state of the installations, damp, and cracks.
What you need is a condition report prepared by an engineer after a visit: photos of every room, façade and visible installation, dated and organised, with a description of what is sound, what needs work, and what can wait, in order of priority. Even if all you want is a new look, the report reveals what must be repaired before it is covered up.
With us: the property condition report is free within Aleppo city, for owners living outside Syria or their authorised representative, with no obligation to any further work.
2. Decide who will open the property
The visit needs someone to open the property: a relative, a neighbour, or someone you authorise. Agree on the visit date in advance, and ask for the receipt and return of the key to be recorded in writing, so you always know who entered your property and when.
3. Ask for an itemised quotation, not a single figure
A vague lump sum is the first door to disputes. Ask for a bill of quantities with priced items: every task with its item, quantity and price, together with the execution period and the offer’s validity. That way you can compare, postpone an item if you wish, and know exactly what you paid for.
4. Pay nothing before a written contract
Before any payment, you should have a signed quotation and a contract that sets out:
- Scope and specifications: what will be done, and with which materials.
- Duration: a stated execution schedule.
- Payments: split into stages, each tied to documented progress rather than a date.
- Warranty: in writing.
- Transfer method: set in the contract to suit you.
Do you need a power of attorney? Only if an official procedure is needed in your name, such as a restoration permit or a property transaction. In that case it is a power of attorney limited in purpose and duration, never beyond the agreed work.
With us: our specialised lawyers draft the power of attorney limited to its purpose, if an official procedure requires it.
5. Follow the work through documents, not phone calls
Following up from abroad does not mean daily calls, but a clear system:
- One person in charge of your project is your point of contact, so you are never lost between several people.
- A regular photo report reaches you on WhatsApp or by email, with the date of the photos and the stage of work.
- A handover record for each stage before moving to the next; the next payment is not due until every remark has been settled.
And for the time difference, a simple solution: a fixed call time that suits you.
6. Receive the property with its file
At the end you receive not just a key, but a complete file: the handover records, photos before and after the work, and the written warranty. This file stays with you – your reference if you later need maintenance, rent the property out, or sell it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start without knowing the cost? Yes, and that is the right way: the inspection comes first, and the report includes an initial cost estimate for what is needed, enough for you to decide whether to continue.
My property is a shop, a hall or a whole building, not an apartment. Is it different? The steps are the same. What changes is what the property needs: mechanical and energy work or fire safety and security systems may be involved. The report identifies them, and one quotation and one contract cover everything.
What if I am not satisfied with the result? The contract sets the specifications, and the photo-documented handover records are the reference for both sides. Any remark is settled item by item before the next payment.
My property is a farm or outside Aleppo city. Is the report free? The report is free within the city; outside it, the visit cost is agreed according to the area.
Start with the first step: request your free property condition report, and we will get back to you within one working day to set the visit date.