Renovation of an apartment is costly, especially if you invite specialists. But there are ways to cut costs.
July 17 2021
Full cycle construction team leader
Decide on the scope of work, check the condition of electrical wiring, heating radiators and window structures. If they require replacement, you cannot do without professionals. It is dangerous to lay wires on your own. When choosing workers, keep in mind that lone craftsmen offer favorable prices, but they do not give guarantees. This option is possible only if the specialist has proven himself well, making repairs with someone from his acquaintances. Trusting reviews on construction portals is undesirable. Check the final cost of the rework. The master, having barely glanced at the apartment, gives out the price – there is reason to doubt his qualifications. By the way, singles have a serious disadvantage – they work longer than brigades of foremen.
Master’s advice: remove the old wallpaper on your own, free the apartments from garbage – builders include the cost of these services in the estimate.
The most beautiful interior will be ruined if the flooring leaves a lot to be desired. Assess his condition. The problem is in the rubbed linoleum, but the base is even? You can lay laminate flooring. You will be able to cope with the task alone. The main thing is to buy a cover with a lock connection. The Click system is more reliable, the Lock system is cheaper.
Take the first one, Click allows for reusable parsing of panels (this is important if several dies get damaged). In addition, this lock allows small errors in the leveling of the floor. Pay attention to the class of laminate flooring, you can take 32 into the bedroom (they don’t go a lot in this room). For the hallway, kitchen, living room or nursery, take 33, it can withstand solid loads.
Why laminate? The material is relatively inexpensive, lasts 10-15 years, looks decent. Carpet or linoleum is cheaper, but the first has no place in the nursery and in the entire apartment, if one of the tenants suffers from allergies (despite constant cleaning, dust will accumulate in the coating). The second option is bad because it contains chemical components (the exception is marmoleum, but its price is impressive). If you put heavy furniture on linoleum, and then move it, dents will remain on it. It will not be possible to partially repair it. Please note that if the subfloor has serious flaws, you will have to make a new screed, then you cannot do without builders.
Master’s advice: when buying a laminate, do not forget about the backing. But don’t expect to level the floor with it. It protects against moisture and noise.
Curved floor panels are the main disadvantage of multi-storey buildings. Only a professional can disguise the unevenness of the ceiling with plaster. There are two options for resolving the issue. Cheap – gluing thick embossed wallpaper. You can cope with the task yourself. The second method is more expensive, but the result is better. This is a stretch ceiling. It is permissible to mount it even in the kitchen and bathroom (provided there is good ventilation). The builders will cope with the task in one day, they will not leave dirt and dust. If you order a canvas for the whole apartment, they will give a discount. This option is especially good if the upstairs neighbors are in the habit of creating a flood. The material can withstand several liters of water, it can be drained through the hole for the chandelier.
Master’s advice: if the ceiling in the apartment is low, it is better to choose a glossy canvas.
Plain textured wallpaper will hide minor wall irregularities from the eyes. Serious flaws can be hidden by creating an imitation of brickwork. To do this, you need to stock up on primer, plaster and narrow masking tape. Having primed the surface, use tape to mark it into bricks. Apply the plaster and, without waiting for it to dry, remove the masking tape. Finally, paint the walls any color you like. The process is not fast, but the result is worth it.
Master’s advice: you can hide irregularities with decorative plaster.
If you do not plan to decorate the bathroom with tiles, paint the walls with latex paint; when choosing it, read the label. There should be a designation “for the kitchen and bathroom” or “for the bathroom”. The base color of the material is white, it is better to tint it in the store. It is difficult to achieve the desired shade on your own.
Need to change your bathtub? If it is cast iron, you can get by with an acrylic insert. It makes no sense to restore steel, a new one will not cost so much.
Master’s advice: when buying a steel bath, keep in mind that it will rattle when you draw water.