What “Developer Standard” Really Means in Poland (And What Foreign Buyers Need to Know)

Introduction

If you’re a foreign investor or expat buying property in Poland, you’ve probably come across the term “stan deweloperski” — usually translated as “developer standard.”

At first glance, the phrase sounds reassuring. In many countries, it suggests a move-in ready property: painted walls, finished floors, lighting installed, sometimes even a fitted kitchen. But in Poland, the reality is very different — and it often comes as a surprise to international buyers.

This post explains:

• What developer standard includes

• What’s missing (the surprises)

• Why it matters for your budget and timeline

• The positives and opportunities it offers

• Why you shouldn’t leave design until the last minute

• A real-life case study

• How to prepare before buying

  
  

What Developer Standard Includes

While every developer may have slight variations, in most Polish new-builds “developer standard” means:

• Walls and ceilings : are in a rough state and still need to be plastered/finished before priming and painting can be done.

• Floors : raw concrete screed — no tiles, parquet, or carpet.

• Electrical system : wiring and sockets installed, but no lamps or light fittings.

• Plumbing : pipes and connections in place for bathrooms and kitchens — but no fixtures or furniture.

• Windows and exterior doors : installed and sealed.

In short: the property is structurally complete but not yet livable.

Developer standard finish in Poland with bare plastered walls and concrete floor

What’s Missing (The Surprises for Foreign Buyers)

Here’s what you won’t find in a typical developer standard property in Poland:

• No kitchen cabinets, worktops, or appliances

• No bathroom furniture (toilets, sinks, bathtubs, showers)

• No lighting fixtures — often just a dangling cable from the ceiling

• No interior doors

• No wardrobes or built-in storage

• No finished floors — only bare concrete

• No paint, primer, or decorative finishes on walls and ceilings

For many foreigners, the first visit to their “finished” apartment feels more like stepping into a construction site than a new home.

The Positives of Developer Standard

It’s easy to focus on what’s missing — but developer standard also offers important advantages, especially for investors and homeowners who value flexibility:

• Freedom to choose finishes : You’re not stuck with generic tiles or kitchens you don’t like. Instead, you select materials, fixtures, and layouts that fit your lifestyle or rental strategy.

• Customization : From flooring type to lighting design, you can shape the space exactly as you want it.

• Smarter spending : You decide where to invest more (kitchen, storage, statement lighting etc.) and where to save (secondary rooms, simple rental furniture).

• Added value : A well-designed interior can increase both rental yield and resale value, compared to standard developer packages.

• A blank canvas : Instead of adjusting to what’s there, you start fresh and create a cohesive design from the ground up.

For foreign investors, this flexibility is often the difference between a property that’s “average” and one that truly stands out in the Polish market.

Modern partially finished bathroom with bespoke materials designed by Westhouse Interiors in Poland

Why This Matters for Foreign Investors

1. Costs Finishing Finishing typically adds 2,000–5,000 PLN per m² depending on the chosen standard (basic rental finish vs. high-end).

   • Example: a 70 m² apartment → 140,000–350,000 PLN finishing cost before it’s livable or rentable.

2. Timeline You cannot move in or rent out until the property is finished. Most projects take 3–6 months depending on contractors, scope, and supply chain. During this time you may be burdened with both your current rental costs as well as bank payments for the new property.

3. Management Challenges Multiple trades are required — electricians, plumbers, tilers, painters, joiners, and more. Coordinating them is difficult even for locals; for foreigners without Polish language skills, it’s overwhelming.

   
   

Don’t Leave Design and Planning Until the Last Minute

One of the biggest mistakes foreign buyers make is contacting an interior designer only after they receive the keys. By then, valuable time is already lost.

• Design and planning typically take 6–8 weeks — creating layouts, sourcing materials, coordinating suppliers, and preparing detailed drawings.

• Contractor schedules are tight — in Poland, reliable teams often book projects 3–4 months in advance. Leaving it too late can mean either delays or having to work with less experienced or untested crews.

• Material lead times — kitchens, custom joinery, wood flooring, doors and stone worktops often need weeks (sometimes months) of production.

• Accurate budgeting — by starting early, you’ll also have a realistic, itemized picture of what everything will cost. That means no nasty surprises when work begins and no rushed decisions under pressure.

• The best time to contact a designer is as soon as you know which property you’re buying — ideally before handover. That way, your design is ready, your contractors are booked, your budget is clear, and the moment you get the keys, work can begin without costly delays.

  
  

Modern bathroom design in Poland with freestanding bathtub, marble-effect tiles, built-in niche shelf, and brushed gold fixtures – Westhouse Interiors.

Real Case Study: A Warsaw Apartment

One of our recent clients, an international couple, bought a 72 m² apartment in Warsaw.

• Their expectation: that “developer standard” meant almost ready to move in, needing only furniture.

• The reality: bare plastered walls, concrete floors, exposed cables, no bathroom fixtures, no kitchen, no doors.

• Our solution: Westhouse Interiors handled the design, sourced all materials, and managed the contractors. Within 4 months, the property was transformed into a modern, fully furnished home.

  
  

They admitted afterwards:

“Without local help, we would never have understood what was missing or how to manage it. The gap between expectation and reality was enormous.”

How to Prepare Before Buying

If you’re considering a developer standard property in Poland:

1. Request a written specification from the developer — don’t assume.

2. Add finishing costs into your investment budget (2,000–5,000 PLN/m²).

3. Schedule a professional inspection at handover to check quality before signing.

4. Engage a designer/project manager early — saves you stress and costly mistakes.

5. Plan realistically: allow 3–6 months from key handover to move-in readiness.

Conclusion

“Developer standard” in Poland is not move-in ready — but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Instead of a generic interior you’ll need to change later, you get a blank canvas with the freedom to create a home or investment property exactly as you want it.

The key is to budget and plan properly — and most importantly, to start early. With the right support, you can transform this bare framework into a beautiful, functional, and profitable property.

At Westhouse Interiors, we specialize in helping international clients navigate this process. From inspections and design to contractor management, we ensure your property is finished on time, on budget, and stress-free.

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