Hebrew renovation glossary for olim
The words a contractor, a plumber or your va’ad bayit will actually use, grouped by situation, with how they sound. Keep it open on your phone during the visit.
Updated October 2026- Free in-home assessment
- Itemized quote
- 300+ completed jobs
- Prices include VAT
- We usually reply within a few hours
Short answer
The five words that matter most: hatza’at mechir (quote), kolel ma’am (including VAT), cheshbonit mas (tax invoice), va’ad bayit (building committee) and rechush meshutaf (shared property). Ask whether a price is “kolel ma’am”, and ask for a cheshbonit mas for every payment.
Send 3 photos, get a price range on WhatsApp
A wide shot of the room, a close-up of the problem and one more angle. We usually reply within a few hours with a first range; the final price is confirmed after a free visit.
The quote and the money
Transliteration as it sounds.
| Hebrew | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| הצעת מחיר | hatza’at mechir | quote |
| כולל מע״מ | kolel ma’am | including VAT (18%) |
| לא כולל מע״מ | lo kolel ma’am | VAT not included |
| חשבונית מס | cheshbonit mas | tax invoice |
| קבלה | kabala | receipt |
| עוסק מורשה | osek murshe | VAT-registered business |
| כתב כמויות | ktav kamuyot | itemized bill of quantities |
| מקדמה | mikdama | advance payment |
| תשלום לפי שלבים | tashlum lefi shlavim | payment by stages |
| חוזה | chozeh | contract |
| תוספת | tosefet | extra work (added to the quote) |
| אחריות | achrayut | warranty / responsibility |
The building, the va’ad bayit and the rules
| Hebrew | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ועד בית | va’ad bayit | building committee |
| רכוש משותף | rechush meshutaf | shared property (roof, stairwell, façade) |
| תקנון | takanon | building bylaws |
| היתר בנייה | heter bniya | building permit |
| עירייה | iriya | municipality |
| שימור | shimur | conservation (listed building) |
| תמ״א 38 | tama shloshim ve’shmone | TAMA 38 (building reinforcement and added floors) |
| חדר מדרגות | chadar madregot | stairwell |
| מעלית | ma’alit | elevator |
| שעות מנוחה | sh’ot menucha | quiet hours |
| מכולה | mechula | skip / container |
| פינוי פסולת | pinui psolet | debris removal |
Trades and materials
| Hebrew | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| שיפוץ | shiputz | renovation |
| קבלן | kablan | contractor |
| שיפוצניק | shiputznik | renovator / handyman |
| ריצוף | ritzuf | flooring / floor tiling |
| אריחים | arichim | tiles |
| רובה | roba | grout |
| פרקט | parket | parquet |
| למינציה | laminatzia | laminate |
| פילוס | pilus | levelling |
| טיח | tiach | plaster |
| שפכטל | shpachtel | filler / skim coat |
| גבס | geves | drywall / plasterboard |
| צבע | tseva | paint |
| צבעי | tsaba’i | painter |
| איטום | itum | waterproofing |
| אינסטלטור | instalator | plumber |
| חשמלאי | chashmalai | electrician |
| ברז | berez | faucet |
| כיור | kiyor | sink |
| דוד שמש | dud shemesh | solar water heater |
| קונסטרוקטור | konstruktor | structural engineer |
| קיר נושא | kir nose | load-bearing wall |
Problems, damage and handover
| Hebrew | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| סדק | sedek | crack |
| רטיבות | retivut | damp |
| עובש | ovesh | mould |
| נזילה | nezila | leak |
| אריח חלול | ariach chalul | hollow-sounding tile |
| רופף | rofef | loose |
| בלאי סביר | bla’i savir | normal wear and tear |
| פיקדון | pikadon | rental deposit |
| פרוטוקול מסירה | protokol mesira | handover report |
| ליקויים | likuyim | defects |
Phrases that save arguments
With us you do not need any of this: messages, the visit and the quote are in English. But it helps with the va’ad bayit, neighbours and other trades. More in how to hire a renovation contractor in Israel.
- “Ze kolel ma’am?” Does this include VAT?
- “Efshar cheshbonit mas?” Can I get a tax invoice?
- “Ma lo kalul?” What is not included?
- “Tishlach li be’WhatsApp?” Can you send it to me on WhatsApp?
- “Matai atem matchilim ve’matai gomrim?” When do you start and finish?
How it works
Send us a message
WhatsApp us what you need — one trade or several. We reply in English within a few hours.
Free assessment & quote
We visit, look at the job, and give you an itemized quote per trade — materials and labor, no surprises.
We do the work
Each trade is scheduled and completed cleanly, with dust and debris cleaned up before we leave.
Walkthrough
We walk the job with you. Anything not right, we fix it.
Get a price in 2 minutes
Tap your answers and we’ll open WhatsApp with the message ready. Just press send.
To get an exact quote faster, send us:
- 2–3 photos of the area (one wide, one close-up)
- Approximate size in m², or the number of rooms
- City and neighbourhood
- Floor, and whether there’s a lift
- When you’d like the work done
Common questions
What does “kolel ma’am” mean?
Including VAT. Israeli VAT is 18%, so always ask whether a price is kolel ma’am. All prices on our site include VAT.Free quote on WhatsApp →
What is a va’ad bayit?
The building committee that manages shared property such as the stairwell, elevator, roof and façade. Tell them your work dates before you start.Free quote on WhatsApp →
What is the difference between a kablan and a shiputznik?
A kablan is a contractor, often licensed for building work; shiputznik is an everyday word for a renovator or handyman. What matters more is a written, itemized quote and a tax invoice.Free quote on WhatsApp →
Do I need Hebrew to renovate with you?
No. Messages, the visit and the quote are in English, and also in Russian or Spanish.Free quote on WhatsApp →
Related services & guides
Message us for a free quote
Tell us the address and what you need — we’ll reply, usually within a few hours.