Finding a decent builder in the Koprivets area

I'm not in your area, so don't know any builders, but can say that  the cost of materials skyrocketed at that time, not just in Bg but worldwide. However, 50,000 EUR sounds way excessive, unless you're haing a huge amount of work done.

I hope you can find a better builder.

@Koprivets 25

You can't (reasonably) expect a property agent to be involved in any way with your post-purchase works.

You also can't (reasonably) expect a builder to honour his renovation quotation several years later. The Covid Pandemic is ancient history now, especially in relation to construction costs.

I doubt there's any grand conspiracy between builder and agent, it's more likely that the problem is more to do with your unrealistic expectations and tardiness.

You have to get out there and check out the property in its current state, and figure out whether it's worthwhile to continue renovations... and get some estimates for doing so. Renovating the property just to sell it seems like a lot of aggravation, and it might be a lot less stressful to sell it as is and move on with your life. If you want to move in and live there, then it's a different story.

Covid came along in 2020 thus proving my point there is a lack of services tradesmen in Bulgaria.

The fact he wants 50k EUR is supply and demand or he did the easiest part of the job first, as they always do, before changing terms, raising the price AKA a form of extortion.

Unlicensed contractors tend to do this. Because licensed contractors have their license controlled by the state or national authority with a system for submitting compliants hence what we call RULE OF LAW in civilization.

Your not in a nation under rule of law. Your in Bulgaria.

The price may be unreasonable. That's impossible to say without knowing how much work it covers. But I don't think raising the price after the prolonged economic disruption and forced halt to work due to COVID is the least bit unreasonable.

The price may be unreasonable. That's impossible to say without knowing how much work it covers. But I don't think raising the price after the prolonged economic disruption and forced halt to work due to COVID is the least bit unreasonable. - @janemulberry

Building materials have shot up, and living costs have gone up.

@SimCityAT

Yes. Building costs have continued to increase since 2020. But regardless, when it comes to any home construction project, where I'm at, they will almost always do the easiest part of the job first, stop work, cook up an obvious excuse as if they are clever, or blame it on a miscommunication, and increase the originally agreed upon amount  Not all the time. But most of the time. Since they know you will pay more to someone else for the remaining job.

Eastern Europe has its benefits. They can be quite good depending on your situation. But businesses relations and services are absolute hell. 

I recommend learning to do everything yourself as much as possible. But not everyone can do that.