Are you planning to renovate your apartment, but don’t know where to start? Our resource will come to the rescue, which will help you understand in the smallest detail the features of repairs in your own or rented apartment. The main criterion for assessing quality renovations in an apartment is the smile and genuine joy on the residents’ faces. It is extremely important to treat the work with maximum responsibility, to do everything step by step and efficiently, only in this case the end result will not disappoint you. Many are sure that doing repairs on your own is quite difficult; on our website you will find many articles about repair work and practical tips that will help you not be afraid of this procedure and boldly get down to business.
We think about apartment renovation when we buy a new home in a new building or on the secondary market, or when we decide to change something in our apartment. It is worth noting that partial renovations in the room, which will include gluing new wallpaper and laying new flooring, can be done independently. More complex work, for example, installation of a sewer system or in an apartment, is best done with certain skills.
It is better to start renovating an apartment by drawing up a project. If third parties are involved in the repair, then issues related to the scope of work and the condition of the premises, as well as the complexity of the repair, are discussed with them. After agreeing on all the issues over the phone, a manager comes to the client and draws up an estimate. It is worth noting that already on site, a company representative discusses with the client the question of what kind of repairs need to be done.
A cooperation agreement is signed with the client on a mandatory basis, which stipulates all working aspects, including the timing of the work. The work will be carried out by professional specialists. The repair will be supervised by a foreman, who will be responsible for quality. Please note that renovation work is being carried out in stages.
Does the apartment require renovation?
The main stages of work include:
- installation and dismantling of electrical wiring;
- cleaning the room from old paint, wallpaper and putty;
- purchase of necessary construction materials. It’s better to buy from wholesale stores, so you can save money;
- phased renovation of the entire apartment or renovation of individual rooms, for example, kitchen, bathroom, living rooms. Please note that depending on the type of room and its purpose, repairs can be carried out in one way or another.
“I want a new renovation.” Sooner or later, owners of their own apartments who want to bring something new into their lives, tired of old wallpaper and peeling paint on the windows, are faced with this thought. Repair is a long process for which you need to prepare. You should not do work in all rooms at once; it is better to start gradually and after completing work in one room, move on to another. If you decide to seek help from specialists, be sure to make sure of their competence and read examples of work that have already been completed previously, as well as reviews from former clients.
Types of apartment renovation
Agree, it is much more pleasant to live in an apartment with a beautiful renovation from designers than in one where there has been no renovation for more than ten years. If you do not make repairs in a room in a timely manner, you may encounter the problem of crumbling plaster and whitewash, sparkling sockets, leaking pipes in the bathroom and kitchen, and other troubles. How to solve all these problems easily and simply? It is enough to start a major renovation of the apartment, which will change the living space beyond recognition.
Repair is a concept that sooner or later any person encounters. There are several types of repairs, including major, cosmetic, and designer ones. In this article we will try to talk in more detail about each type of renovation in a residential area. It is worth noting that the choice of the desired type of repair is made based on the condition of the premises, as well as the financial capabilities of the residents.
Apartment renovation time frame
Have you become the owner of a new apartment and are planning to celebrate your housewarming as soon as possible? In order to bring your plans to life on time, you need to learn more about the timing of renovations in the apartment. It is worth noting that the repair period is calculated for each object individually.
The time it takes to complete the work is affected by:
- what is the condition of the apartment after the builders,
- is it necessary to carry out communications,
- install plumbing,
- make partitions and much more.
At the same time, the timing of repairs in a new building will always differ from the timing of work in an apartment that has already been used.
Proper renovation of an apartment is carried out according to a clearly drawn up plan and in compliance with previously recorded stages of work. The timing is also significantly influenced by your decision to do the repairs yourself or seek help from specialists. In the second case, an estimate is drawn up, so it is much easier to determine the timing of the commissioning of the facility. Please note that if you entrust the work to a company, the timing can significantly affect the cost of repairs, so the sooner you want to move into your apartment, the more you will need to pay.
How to quickly make repairs in an apartment? This question is asked by many homeowners, but few people know what exactly the deadlines depend on. Everything here is quite simple, so the duration is influenced by:
- the size of the apartment or residential premises in which renovation work is planned;
- what type of repairs do you intend to carry out (ordinary cosmetic repairs will take much less time than major or reconstruction of the premises);
- the work will be carried out independently or with the help of a team of professionals;
- how quickly the materials necessary to begin repair work will be purchased;
- If there are power outages in the apartment, or there is periodically no water, the time frame may increase significantly.
In order for the renovation of the apartment to be not only quick, but also of high quality, it is necessary to draw up an agreement with the company, which will clearly indicate the completion date of all work. Very often, the contract specifies all stages of repair and the approximate time of their completion. The contract should also contain information that you paid an additional amount to reduce the repair time. It is worth accepting work according to the “Certificate of Completed Work”, so you can make sure that the apartment renovation is of high quality.
There is such a thing as an approximate time frame for putting an object into operation. So, on average, a cosmetic renovation in a small apartment takes about 30 days, a premium renovation in a new building of 40 square meters will take about 120 days, but an original or designer renovation in an apartment of the same size will last about 7 months, depending on the client’s wishes regarding the interior decorations.
If the apartment is planned for redevelopment or reconstruction, the repair period can be extended by 2-5 months, depending on urgent work. Insist that the property be repaired strictly in accordance with the drawn up contract and in compliance with all deadlines.
How much does it cost to renovate an apartment?
The estimate for apartment renovation is drawn up at the second stage, after the residents have decided to make repairs and have decided what exactly they want to see in their apartment. An estimate helps you determine in advance how much renovation work in your apartment will cost, along with the purchase of the necessary materials. Mostly, residents of our country either carry out minor cosmetic repairs in their apartments, or trust professionals to do a major one with minimal financial investment. Budget renovation of an apartment involves updating the decoration of the room and practically does not affect communications, does not include the installation and dismantling of new windows and doors.
You can do apartment renovations quickly and inexpensively yourself; your ability to work with wiring and plumbing will be a plus. If you want to save money, it will be enough to update the wallpaper, flooring and paint the windows and doors. These works will take a minimum amount of time, and you can do them yourself, reducing additional costs.
How much it will cost to renovate an apartment depends not only on the size of the room, but also on the condition in which it is located. Thus, it will be much easier to renovate a room that has periodically undergone cosmetic renovations than to tidy up a room that has not seen renovation since the days of the Soviet Union. The cost is also affected by the quality of the materials you plan to use.
The cost of renovating an apartment can be reduced if necessary. For example, if you do not have problems with plumbing and electricity, then these systems can simply be checked for functionality and not replaced with new communications. The final cost can be reduced by using inexpensive materials. If the repair is cosmetic and does not involve design refinements, the cheapest wallpaper that will have an attractive appearance will do.
Both residents of new buildings and owners of apartments on the secondary market often wonder how much money is needed to renovate an apartment. It’s quite difficult to even name the average amount, since it depends on many factors, including the footage, the condition of the premises and the materials that the customer plans to use. At the same time, ordering repairs from third-party companies will be more expensive than trying to do it yourself.
The costs of renovating an apartment vary widely. If an inexpensive cosmetic renovation with budget materials will cost no more than 50 thousand rubles, then for an elite and designer renovation in a new building you can easily pay more than you spent on buying the apartment itself. Here, a lot depends on what the customer wants to see in his apartment after the renovation work. Are you wondering how to cheaply renovate your apartment? You should not save too much on materials, there is a risk that they will be of poor quality and will quickly become unusable, then the repair will have to be done in a new way.
How much money do you need to renovate an apartment?
- costs of materials for dismantling the old finish;
- costs for the purchase of new materials and equipment;
- hiring professionals to work with plumbing and sewerage.
How much does it cost to renovate an apartment? This question is asked by all owners of their own homes, because no matter how carefully you live in the premises, sooner or later it will begin to deteriorate, and repair work will be required to restore its normal condition. It is better to start calculating the renovation of an apartment by assessing the complexity of the upcoming repair work; the final cost will directly depend on the condition of the apartment and on which communications need to be replaced.
You can calculate the renovation of an apartment yourself, or by turning to specialized companies for help. When calculating the cost, factors such as the original condition of the premises, the state of communications, and the type of repairs planned for the premises are taken into account. It is clear that designer renovations involving professional artists, decorators and designers will cost many times more than a small cosmetic renovation of the premises.
Apartment renovation. Design
Renovation of any residential premises, be it a small one-room apartment on the outskirts of the city or an elite apartment in the very center, begins with drawing up a work plan and developing a design project for renovating the apartment. Please note that if you can do minor cosmetic repairs yourself, then for original or designer renovations you will have to involve real professionals who will voice options for renovating your apartment and help you choose the most suitable one. You can do designer renovations yourself, just use your imagination.
Regardless of how much it will cost to renovate your apartment, you must remember that the money invested is not an expense, but a successful investment in real estate that will significantly increase the life of your home and help you resell it at a better price. A correctly drawn up design project is useful for both customers and workers who will carry out renovation work in the apartment. For the former, the project is an opportunity to find out what the apartment will look like in the future; for the latter, it is a guide to action. On our website you can find samples of apartment renovations, from which you can borrow some ideas for renovations in your living space.
If you plan to carry out a stylish apartment renovation, only high-quality materials that have a long service life are used in the work. Having spent only once on the work, you will forget about the need for repairs in the room for many years. You will always find ideas for apartment renovation on our website. In addition, at any time you can use the services of professional designers who will help transform your living space beyond recognition.
Apartment renovation and design options may depend not only on your wishes, but also on the type of premises. So, in some cases, in order to bring your plans to life, a serious remodeling of the premises may be required with the construction or dismantling of partitions, doors, etc. If you do not agree to such a global and major overhaul, you will have to give preference to simpler options.
Modern ideas for apartment renovation are implemented in several stages, they have great depth of elaboration and will amaze you with their quality of execution. By making repairs in the apartment correctly, you can maximally transform the appearance of the room and increase its functionality, if this item was provided for in the project. Please note that designer renovations will always cost an order of magnitude more than regular cosmetic ones.
Stylish apartment renovation has many advantages. Firstly, it is much more pleasant to live in such an apartment than in one where Soviet wallpaper is still pasted, which has begun to peel around the edges. Secondly, a renovation that you really like can give a person a feeling of comfort and relaxation. The third and most important advantage is the opportunity to show off your renovation to your friends. Believe me, no one will remain indifferent. A fashionable apartment renovation will tell others about your excellent taste and sense of style.
It’s easy to find beautiful apartment renovation ideas after reading our articles, but it’s much more difficult to bring your plans to life. Here we will advise you to seek professional help from specialists who have many years of experience in this field and will do everything in the best possible way, listening to your wishes as much as possible.
DIY apartment renovation
Doing an apartment renovation with your own hands inexpensively is an ideal option for those who need to renovate the premises, but do not plan to invest significant money in this procedure. This type of renovation is suitable if the apartment is in good condition and there is no need to change windows, doors or communication systems. Glue wallpaper, re-lay linoleum in an apartment, or paint windows - even those who are far from the construction industry can cope with these tasks.
It will be possible to make renovations in an apartment inexpensively if you outline a work plan in advance and draw up a rough estimate. This way, even before you start, you will know exactly how much the work will cost and eliminate additional costs that may be associated with the purchase of unnecessary consumables.
Inexpensive apartment renovation with your own hands should begin with the removal of large household appliances and furniture so that they do not interfere too much with the work. It is better to cover everything that remains in the room with a special film, this way you will protect things from contamination and possible damage.
How to make renovations in an apartment yourself is a question many people ask, especially when they don’t want to overpay workers for basic things. It is advisable to immediately draw up a repair project, describe all the materials that you may need and make a repair plan. By following all the points of the plan, you will be sure that you have not forgotten anything and everything is going according to plan.
Preparing for DIY repairs
Before you carry out renovations on your apartment yourself, it wouldn’t hurt to decide why exactly you need this renovation. Very often, people begin ordinary cosmetic repairs, during which they notice that it would not hurt to re-floor the room or replace the old windows with plastic ones. As a result, the work results in significant financial costs, takes more and more time, and in the end, apartment owners still have to resort to the help of professionals. Be sure to check the condition of the communications. If pipes are leaking in the bathroom or kitchen, or there are problems with constant knocking out of plugs, then it is better to eliminate these problems at the renovation stage, rather than leaving them for later.
Starting renovations in an apartment with your own hands:
1. We draw up a plan for future repairs, develop a project and indicate all the materials that may be needed in the work;
2. We find a place where massive furniture and household appliances can wait out the renovation;
3. We dismantle the old finishing;
4. If necessary, we replace switches and sockets.
Don’t forget that do-it-yourself renovations in an apartment should be done step by step according to the following principle: first the ceiling, then the walls, then the floor. By adhering to the principle, you can avoid damage to the already repaired part of the room.
What tools for DIY apartment renovation can be useful:
- putty knife;
- paint brushes;
— a roller for painting walls or applying glue to wallpaper.
Even with a minimal set of tools, you can carry out budget apartment renovations yourself, without resorting to the help of professional companies.
Repairing an apartment with your own hands quickly and inexpensively is absolutely possible and uncomplicated, the main thing is to adhere to the basic rules when working and use only high-quality and durable materials. Then the room will not need to be renovated again soon.
Time to renovate apartments
Any repair work must be carried out within the framework of current legislation. The law clearly states at what time it is forbidden to make noise, noise or extraneous sounds that could interfere with the normal functioning of your neighbors. By law, renovation time in an apartment should not begin earlier than 8 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends, and end no later than 10 p.m. on holidays and 9 p.m. on weekdays. If neighbors turn to the police for help and complain about loud noise, an administrative report will be drawn up against you.
It is worth noting that the norms specified in the law may not be taken into account if the noise level does not disturb neighbors. At the same time, if a strong roar interferes, then they can complain about you at any time of the day.
When can an apartment be renovated? This question is asked by people for whom it is important not to cause discomfort to others. At the same time, not only the renovation initiators, but also their neighbors are interested in questions about the allowed time for carrying out repairs in the apartment.
It is worth noting that different regions of our country have their own legislation regarding noise in the apartment. Very often they simply contradict each other. So, if in Moscow it is allowed to do repairs from 10 to 22 on weekends, then in some regions it is completely forbidden to start repairs on weekends. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the legislation of your region so as not to encounter an unpleasant precedent.
From when and until when can you make repairs in an apartment (rules common to all regions):
- it is advisable not to make repairs in the apartment on weekends and holidays, so as not to anger the neighbors and not attract the attention of law enforcement agencies;
- Repairs should be completed no later than 9 o’clock in the evening, and started no earlier than 9 o’clock in the morning. If your neighbors have a child, they may ask you not to make noise for several hours during lunch;
- regardless of when you started repairs, you can only make a lot of noise for 6 hours, then the noise violates current sanitary standards;
- The duration of repairs in an apartment building should not exceed three months.
The legislation also stipulates a ban on damage to adjacent premises and the demolition of interior partitions without prior approval from the permitting authorities. After all, improper intervention in the structure of the house and demolition of load-bearing structures can result in serious problems.
According to the law of the Russian Federation, it is better to find out the hours for repairs in an apartment in local legislation, the text of which can always be found online. Compliance with all the rules will allow you not only to make high-quality repairs, but also not to make enemies among your neighbors.
Apartment renovation contract
The number of dubious construction companies is growing every year; in order not to run into one of these companies and not have to redo the apartment renovation twice, it is necessary to draw up an apartment renovation agreement between individuals. The contract should discuss such points as the stages of repair work, the cost and approximate terms of commissioning of the facility, this will allow you to protect yourself from an unscrupulous contractor and be confident in the quality of the work.
A sample estimate for apartment renovation will help you find out what this document should contain. If your contractor is dark and does not include some points in the estimate, it is better to refuse his services and contact another company.
Do not forget that there are different types of repairs; this must be stipulated in the contract so that ordinary cosmetic repairs do not end up costing you more than a general repair.
You can easily find examples of apartment renovations and projects on our website or in specialized printed publications. In addition, for high-quality and unique repairs, you can always use your imagination and design skills. Such a renovation will be truly individual and original, and you are unlikely to come across similar ideas from anyone else.
Apartment renovation, types of work:
1. Cosmetic repairs
Includes updating wallpaper, flooring, painting windows and doors;
2. Major renovation
In addition to cosmetic repairs, it includes a complete replacement of communication systems, installation of new sockets and switches, installation and dismantling of partitions, replacement of windows and doors and other work;
3. Restoration and reconstruction of premises
Mainly carried out in old apartments or when it is necessary to radically change the appearance of the premises;
The most expensive type of repair is made from high-quality materials according to an individual project. Designers, artists and other specialists are involved in the work.
When starting an apartment renovation, you already imagine in advance what this or that room will look like, what wallpaper it will have, what furniture you will install. At this stage, the eyes are burning, and the hands can’t wait to start doing the work. However, there is no need to rush; it is better to familiarize yourself with some rules in advance that will help you complete the work efficiently, quickly and inexpensively.
The first renovation of an apartment is most often done in a hurry, as residents strive to move into their own home as quickly as possible. After finishing the renovation and finishing, new furniture is purchased, and it would seem that we can just live and live, but that was not the case: the paint on the windows begins to crack, cracks appear between the parquet boards, and leaks appear in the bathroom. All these troubles can be easily avoided if you adhere to the rules of apartment renovation.
1. Sewerage
When replacing water pipes, many people opt for metal-plastic models and install them directly into the wall, forgetting that over time the connections weaken somewhat and begin to leak. If the pipes are located outside, then fixing this problem is quite simple, even without the help of specialists. But if they are mounted into the wall, serious problems may arise that cannot be eliminated without a professional plumber.
In order to avoid problems, it is advisable to seek help from professionals; they will install the pipes according to all the rules, and will also tell you about their correct use to extend their service life. Cooperation with specialists will cost more than doing the work yourself, but the sewer system will last much longer and you will not have to make repairs in the near future after the apartment is flooded.
2. Wiring
Before entering the apartment, draw up a rough plan for the arrangement of furniture in advance. So, it is advisable to equip an outlet near your desk that will plug in your laptop or computer, this way you will avoid the need to use unnecessary extension cords that only spoil the interior. Even if you are renovating your apartment in parts, it is better to install sockets and switches in all rooms at the first stage.
Make a wiring diagram and save it. In the future, the scheme will avoid the hassle of driving a nail into the wall for a new painting.
3. Plasterboard partitions
They are an effective and inexpensive material for delimiting space in a room, but do not forget that they have a limited margin of safety and the desire to hang a shelf on such a structure can result in collapse. If your room is too humid, it is better to give preference to moisture-proof structures, so the material will not deteriorate too quickly.
4. Gender
Errors when installing floors occur at the screed stage; few people know that in order for the structure to dry completely, it should not be used for at least 2-3 weeks. Be sure to make sure the floor is level before installing parquet.
5. Ceiling
An ideal apartment renovation will not be perfect without high-quality ceilings. You can avoid cracks and distortions if you begin ceiling repair work only after the house has completely settled. Do not overload the ceiling and hang massive chandeliers, otherwise this may lead to its premature destruction. or - an excellent option for quality repairs.
We settled on the basic rules of repair. On the site you will find articles about apartment renovation that will help you delve into the features of this process in more detail and do everything at the highest level. Do not forget that poor-quality apartment renovation will only add financial costs in the future, which is why it is better to make every effort and do everything at the highest level.
Do not forget that if you are making repairs in a rented apartment, it is advisable to notify the owner in advance and make sure that he agrees.
Video on the topic
Stylish and modern apartment renovation
The desire to renovate your own apartment is caused by a thirst for change, renewal, and shake-up. At the same time, these desires are accompanied by distrust of the contractor, as well as a wild desire to spend as little time and money as possible. That is why the option of quickly renovating an apartment with your own hands is considered so popular. It's not that difficult to make if you have at least basic DIY skills.
First of all, all vital components in the apartment are changed, such as the heating system, electrical wiring, water supply and sewerage. At this stage, you should think about the possible redevelopment of the space, as well as the installation of a modern “warm floor” system.
If you purchased housing in a new building, you will need it, since most often such apartments do not have a fine finish. Even if the apartment was purchased on the secondary market, we also recommend that you carry out a complete renovation of the apartment quickly and efficiently in order to feel absolutely safe. You may have to spend a little more, but your apartment will not need alterations for many years.
In the process of installing a new electrical wiring system, various metering devices are usually replaced. It should be noted that this work is extremely unsafe, which is why it is best to seek help from an experienced electrician. You can bring the wiring directly into the room with your own hands. All you need is a hammer drill. This tool is used to make grooves in the wall; this must be done according to a previously drawn up project.
Electrical installation in the apartment
The selected cables must have the strongest possible insulation layer. Otherwise, it is best to place them in a special box. At the end of the work, the wall must be thoroughly plastered.
Next, using a hammer drill and a special round attachment, you need to make holes in the wall for sockets and switches. The gating locations are also determined using a pre-compiled project. In addition, the project provides for the layout of lighting fixtures.
After installation of electrical communications, the walls and ceilings are usually leveled. If plaster is used, the process promises to be very complex and very dirty, but this particular material provides extremely high-quality leveling. Many may have a question - what is this for? And we have an answer to it, because further finishing depends on how smooth the walls are. Paint, wallpaper, and other possible materials fit well on smooth surfaces.
Leveling walls with plasterboard
You can level walls during quick and inexpensive repairs using one of the available methods:
- By plastering, as mentioned earlier, a very labor-intensive and dusty method;
- Using sheets of drywall.
In order to perform leveling with plaster, it is necessary to prepare a mixture; it must be viscous. Next, the resulting mixture is applied to a pre-primed wall. This is done using a wide spatula using semicircular movements of the hand. After the plaster has dried, it is necessary to apply the primer over it again. Only after the walls have completely dried can you start painting.
The technology for attaching drywall is somewhat more complicated. It is worth noting that for rooms with high humidity, you should select a moisture-resistant variety of this material; it usually has a light green color. For the remaining living rooms, you can use traditional gray plasterboard. Thanks to plasterboard, you can create arches that are fashionable today, as well as partitions in rooms.
Among other things, using plasterboard sheets you can build:
- Original walls, inside of which there will be shelves;
- Imitated stucco on the surface;
- Various terrain.
The sheets are installed using crab fasteners, then their surface is carefully plastered, and also painted or finished with other materials.
In order not to waste time and effort on leveling the ceilings before quickly doing it, you should consider the option of stretch ceilings. This method is faster, simpler, and also does not involve a lot of dust and dirt.
Stretch ceilings with LED lighting
It is installed in this way: a PVC film or textile is stretched over a profile mounted around the entire perimeter of the ceiling. A distinctive feature of suspended ceilings is their high decorative effect. Here you can choose any pattern, print, design. Photo printing or painting is possible, as well as the design of mirrored ceilings. You can only be limited by your imagination and this is a definite plus.
Advice! It is very difficult to install this structure yourself, which is why it is best to turn to a professional technician.
Traditionally, wallpaper is used to decorate walls in residential premises. However, today, draping walls with textile materials that are produced specifically for these purposes has returned to fashion. This option will not only provide an attractive wall decoration, but will also create a unique coziness and atmosphere in the room. Modern impregnations allow draped walls to repel moisture, not fade or fade, and also provide fairly simple care for them.
Using decorative plaster for wall decoration
Decorative plaster is also becoming increasingly popular. The key feature of this material is the ability to recreate an imitation of anything - wood, metal, velvet, stone or leather. Here materials that are similar in texture are very successfully combined, or, on the contrary, completely different. “Combine the incongruous!” - says today's fashion, and we try to follow its laws.
It is very important to maintain harmony in the interior. For example, if you used bright and colorful patterns in the decoration of the walls, then the furniture design should be more restrained, preferably monochromatic. The same law also applies vice versa, since for plain walls it is best to choose bright and colorful furniture.
Advice! You should not focus on several color combinations; it is enough to just highlight one or two colors.
Today, modern dyeing technologies are also often used. Decorative paint can be applied to both smooth and embossed plaster. It may contain various impurities, for example, creating the effect of mother-of-pearl, shine or imitation of the surface of a precious stone.
This type of paint is quite simply applied to any surface, while filling microcracks.
Ceramic tiles are also very often used for rooms with high moisture. The best alternative to tiled ones, and at the same time it looks much more beautiful. The walls in the bathroom, kitchen or toilet will look great under the tiled finish.
Ceramic tiles are laid on a pre-applied adhesive mixture. You can install the tiles without seams, or with an indentation that should not exceed three millimeters.
Before you start finishing the floor, you should determine how smooth it is. If the detected unevenness does not exceed two centimeters, then it can be eliminated using a self-leveling mixture. If the unevenness is more significant, then you cannot do without a concrete screed.
Finishing floors in a wooden house
Once the floors are completely leveled, you can begin finishing. Usually linoleum, laminate, parquet, and porcelain tiles are used. It is best to use porcelain tiles, as they are the most durable and wear-resistant.
Do-it-yourself apartment renovation
So, we have sorted out the entire repair process, now we should think about how to minimize costs in the process:
- Creating a project will allow you to significantly save on alterations, amendments and corrections. It is thanks to the project that you will be able to understand which of the obligatory tasks will not tolerate delay, and which can be left for later;
- Drawing up an estimate, as well as completely following it. It is best to purchase the necessary materials and tools at large construction bases;
- Solving some of the nuances yourself will also allow you to significantly save on third-party help;
- We recommend choosing modern technologies over traditional finishing options; this will also allow you to save significantly;
- Expensive materials should be replaced with more budget-friendly ones, but not inferior in quality.
If repairs are necessary, and finances are limited, you have no choice but to do the repairs yourself. However, you shouldn’t despair; it’s quite possible to make repairs on your own, without involving specialists.
So, casting doubts aside, we get down to repairs. The first thing you need to think about is her future appearance.
Having chosen and discussed the future interior with your family, you can begin to draw up an estimate. It should include all construction, finishing and consumable materials needed for repairs, as well as tools.
You can save money on some tools by renting them. And indeed, you won’t buy an expensive hammer drill if all you need is a dozen holes in the walls to attach shelves!
Having purchased the necessary materials according to the estimate (mentally prepare yourself for the fact that you will definitely have to buy more), you can proceed directly to the repair work.
Preparatory stage
Dismantling the finishing
Preparation for repairs will vary depending on a number of factors:
- condition of the apartment;
- capital repairs;
- desired result.
Naturally, the broader the scope of planned work, the larger the preparation. For major repairs, we dismantle all finishing materials.
- We scrape off the old wallpaper using a metal spatula, after soaking it with water from a spray bottle.
- To clean the walls from oil paint, iron them through the foil, so the paint softens and is removed with the same spatula.
- We chop off old tiles from the floor and walls using a hammer drill.
- We wash away the whitewash.
As a result, we should be left with bare walls and floor (or a concrete screed in satisfactory condition).
Pipe replacement
After we have completed the finishing, we begin the plumbing work. If we decide to completely replace all the plumbing, at this stage we will have to replace the water supply and sewer risers, and this needs to be done quite quickly. After the risers have been replaced, you can gradually change the pipes.
At the same time, you can replace the heating batteries.
Stages of preparing surfaces for finishing:
- On the floor, if its condition requires it, we lay a fresh leveling screed. We install a layer of waterproofing materials under the screed in the bathroom and toilet.
- We putty the walls with finishing putty, and if their curvature is significant, and only then putty. Similar work is carried out on the ceiling.
- Dry plastering is also possible - covering the walls with sheets of plasterboard. In this case, it is better to treat the walls themselves with antiseptic materials, eliminating the possibility of fungus forming under a layer of drywall.
Note! It is undesirable to cover the walls of the bathroom and toilet with plasterboard (even if it is moisture resistant)!
Finishing work
After the preparation is completed (the floor screed and putty are completely dry, the walls and ceiling are level), you can proceed directly to finishing.
The main thing you should remember when doing repairs yourself is that the sequence of repair work looks like “ceiling - walls - floor” and nothing else.
Ceiling finishing
Ceiling finishing
The traditional and cheapest is whitewashing. The price of consumables for whitewashing is low, whitewashing is easy, but today we can safely say that this finishing method is morally outdated.
Alternative to whitewashing:
- Painting the ceiling with interior paints.
- Wallpapering (for painting).
- Finishing the ceiling with decorative plaster (here it is possible to use both tinted plasters and white plasters with subsequent painting).
- Pasting the ceiling with special polystyrene tiles.
One of the best finishing options today is the installation of a stretch ceiling. We will not describe all the advantages of such ceilings; we will only say that to carry out the work you will have to seek help from specialists; you are unlikely to be able to install a suspended ceiling yourself.
Wall decoration
There are also a large number of wall finishing options. To decide on a design, we recommend looking for relevant examples; DIY repairs will be much easier if you have a clear idea of the desired result.
Let's look at finishing options that you can do yourself.
- Wallpapering walls is the simplest and most common finishing option. Thanks to the wide range, you can choose the right wallpaper for any design solution.
You can easily apply wallpaper to pre-leveled walls, even if you don’t have much experience. Cork wallpaper can be highlighted as a separate line here as an environmentally friendly and very presentable finishing material.
- Another option is painting the walls. Today, the market offers a fairly wide range of interior paints, including so-called structural ones. Such paints allow you to achieve an interesting effect of a non-uniform surface, which means that the painted walls will look truly unusual.
- A universal finishing option is decorative (textured) plaster. Having applied it to the prepared, leveled wall, we immediately, without waiting for it to dry, form a texture.
Note! Depending on the tool used and the technique used to form the relief, the texture will be different, so decorative plaster offers a very wide scope for your design imagination.
Floor finishing
The floor finishing option also depends on your budget, the general design idea and your desire to handle all stages of the renovation yourself.
- The easiest way to finish a floor is to lay linoleum. Even an inexperienced master can cope with this task; the main thing is to choose the right linoleum and not forget about the substrate, which performs the function of thermal insulation and shock absorption.
- Laminate is an alternative to linoleum. Modern laminate flooring models allow you to assemble the floor like a construction set, so with the proper skill, you can lay it without involving outside experts.
- In a children's room, a cork floor will look good, which is laid according to the laminate principle, snapping into place.
- Floor tiles made of ceramics, porcelain stoneware, natural or artificial stone are suitable for the bathroom, hallway and kitchen.
Naturally, these are only the main points that you may encounter if you decide to make a beautiful renovation with your own hands. In fact, there are many more nuances in such a difficult matter. And yet, we are sure that if you take the matter seriously, you will definitely succeed!
Summing up
We hope our article was useful to you. In order to more accurately understand the technological and practical issue, our website provides detailed photo and video instructions in which you will find useful information on this issue.
Buying a new apartment is a joyful event for any person. It is especially pleasant to receive ownership of an apartment in a new building, in which no one has lived before. As a rule, apartments in new buildings do not have any renovation. The owners see walls without any finishing, electrical wires and plumbing pipes. To turn rooms with bare walls into cozy and comfortable spaces for living, you need to make some efforts by gradually completing a number of important measures.
Bare walls - plenty of room for activity Do not buy expensive construction and finishing materials for the first renovation in a new building. The building will shrink over several years, under the influence of which the finishing can be significantly deformed and even completely destroyed. In view of this, experts recommend giving preference to unpretentious and plastic materials.
Plan your renovation carefully. It is not necessary to draw up a lot of drawings detailing various sizes and important nuances. Simple sketches will suffice. Think about whether you will remodel the apartment, what materials, in your opinion, will best fit into the interior of the premises, where lighting fixtures and sockets should be installed, etc.
Remember: proper preparation before starting work will save money, effort and time in the future.
Preparing surfaces for finishing
Prices for paint for ceilings and walls
Ceiling and wall paint
Ceiling repair
When choosing a ceiling finishing option, proceed from your preferences and available budget. Inexpensive finishing can be done using:
Before using any of the listed finishing options, the surface must be leveled. As a standard, putty and primer are used for leveling.
Among the more expensive and interesting options for decorating the ceiling are:
- installation of plasterboard structures. First, guide profiles are attached to the surfaces, after which sheets of drywall are fixed to them. Using plasterboard, you can equip both simple single-tier and complex ones. Also, this finish allows you to hide wiring, elements of the ventilation system and other communications, which is very convenient;
- arrangement of tension fabrics. The polyvinyl chloride film is stretched and secured to the pre-assembled frame. The installation procedure is more complicated than in the case of plasterboard structures, because when performing repairs, it becomes necessary to use a special heat gun;
- plastic Also attached to the frame. The main advantages: ease of installation, high assembly speed, low cost and beautiful appearance.
Scheme of a two-level plasterboard ceiling Prices for drywall and sheet materials
Drywall and sheet materials
As a rule, when a newly completed house is handed over, it has wiring, but no electrical appliances, or their quality leaves much to be desired. After finishing the ceiling and walls, begin installing sockets, switches and lamps. Remember basic precautions: you can work with electricians only after the apartment has been completely de-energized. Choose places to install sockets and lighting fixtures at your discretion.
Flooring
Repairs in a new building traditionally end with the installation of the floor. As a rule, the condition of the floors in newly completed houses leaves much to be desired. If the house is built from concrete panels and the apartments were delivered in rough form, a screed must be poured.
- This is a layer of concrete mortar poured over the subfloor and necessary to level the base. There are several varieties of this alignment. The most popular and easiest to do yourself is a wet screed. All work comes down to eliminating irregularities and cracks using concrete mortar.
Before pouring the screed, the bottom of the walls should be covered with protective edge tape.
Allow the screed to dry completely, apply the finishing coat of your choice and install the skirting boards.
| performance indicators | purpose, load intensity and laminate class | testing technology | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living spaces | public areas | ||||||
| low | average | high | low | average | high | ||
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 31 | 32 | 33 | ||
| abrasion resistance | AC 1 | AC 2 | AC 3 | AC 3 | AC 4 | AC 5 | Annex E |
| shock resistance | IC 1 | IC 1 | IC 1 | IC 1 | IC 2 | IC 3 | Annex F |
| stain resistance | 4 (g.1&2), 3 (g. 3) | 5(g.1&2), 4 (g. 3) | EN 438 | ||||
| thermal stability | - | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | EN 438 |
| resistance to furniture legs | - | - | no visible damage | EN 424 | |||
| resistance to furniture roller wheels | - | - | no visible damage | EN 425 | |||
| swelling coefficient | less 20% | less 20% | less 18% | less 18% | less 18% | less 18% | Annex G |
This concludes the main repair activities in the new building. Furniture and technical equipment of the premises remain at the discretion of the owner.
Good luck!
Flooring prices
Floor coverings
Video - Do-it-yourself repairs in a new building
For some, the need to renovate their apartment causes a reaction that is far from positive. The financial side of the issue comes first. A painstaking calculation of funds begins, with a distinction between the purchase of materials and payment for the services of specialized construction teams.
Repairs can be cosmetic and are limited to painting, wrapping and updating the appearance. And it can be major with the replacement of electrical wiring, plumbing and installation of modern acrylic baths.
The process of renovating an apartment itself is perceived as a long period of time with many inconveniences. The result ultimately turns from desired to hard-won, and instead of a feeling of satisfaction, a feeling of fatigue and detachment arises.
The situation is completely different for people with imaginative thinking. Having visually imagined what the apartment will look like after finishing, they are easier to part with their money, in the hope of quickly seeing everything with their own eyes.
People from this same category, who are not burdened with funds, often resort to the services of designers. A master home interior decorator can use computer programs to create a 3D view of an apartment. In many ways, this method is considered a strong incentive to action, since it allows you to see the results of the work in advance.
However, people who are purposeful and have high inner enthusiasm never give up even in a situation where there is a severe limitation of funds. For such people, the way out is to carry out partial or complete repairs on their own.
Some people choose a thorough capital renovation of their home with remodeling, while for others it is enough to carry out inexpensive renovations in the apartment, which are more often called cosmetic repairs.
Stages of repairs
When deciding where to start renovating an apartment, some people think that they first need to purchase materials and tools. In general, this is correct, but in order to spend money correctly and not buy too much, you need to make preliminary calculations. Calculate the basic geometric parameters of each room: height, length and width. Determine the sizes of window and door openings.
The data obtained will help determine the exact scope of work and calculate the amount of each type of building material.
When deciding to carry out a global change in the interior appearance of the apartment on your own, you must first draw up a step-by-step plan. It is a properly developed plan, including a phased renovation of an apartment, that becomes the key to successful work processes.
The first step will be dismantling work:
- demolition of enclosing internal walls and partitions to expand the space;
- dismantling wooden windows to replace them with plastic double-glazed windows;
- removal of door panels or complete dismantling of door frames.
- removal of old floor coverings;
- dismantling wall coverings or clearing walls of paint compounds;
- clearing or blurring ceilings.
Categories of complexity of work processes
The most labor-intensive work is considered to be screeding the floors and plastering the walls. It can be especially difficult to deal with surfaces with a large number of differences. Some of them can be eliminated by knocking them down with a hammer, but only a leveling screed or similar plaster layer can really save the situation.
To carry out high-quality straightening of wall surfaces, plaster beacons are used. To do this, buy aluminum slats or metal pipes of small square or rectangular cross-section.
In the first case, the material is inexpensive, but when purchasing, you should know that when you remove the slats from the seams after the plaster has dried, they can no longer be used again.
Metal pipes are more expensive, but the percentage of their preservation after dismantling is much higher. In addition, some people prefer to leave them in the solution for a stronger layer.
The most economical way to achieve evenness of the screed is considered to be the installation of mortar beacons on the floors. But this process is very painstaking and only those who have the appropriate skills can decide on it.
The simplest type of work is painting. At least that's what the majority thinks. The opinion is both right and wrong. The truth of the statement lies in carrying out the final process, that is, the painting itself, using quality tools.
Paint rollers and brushes, plastic trays with meshes for rolling rollers. By working with high-quality tools, you can avoid smudges on the walls and vertical paint stripes.
Capturing an impression
For the sake of interest and to confirm their personal participation, a large number of people take before and after photos of their apartment renovation. Sometimes this results in a whole series of photographs with separate initial and final views of each room.
Some amateurs post photos on the Internet because today it is considered a fashionable activity, while others simply use them to view with friends and acquaintances. In any case, a photo of an apartment renovation done with your own hands is not only a memory, but also a confirmation of personal skill.
Photo of apartment renovation with your own hands
