An expert gave advice on renovating an apartment
In 2025, saving money on repairs has become especially important, given the rise in prices for construction materials and services. However, a reasonable approach to organizing work, selecting specialists and purchasing materials can significantly reduce costs without sacrificing quality, Alexei Orekhov, an expert in interior finishing, general director of NATEK, told Izvestia on January 18. He gave a few tips.
"It is worth starting with the choice of specialists. If cosmetic repairs are planned, it is more profitable to turn to a master-universalist. Such a specialist is able to perform a wide range of works: from painting walls to laying laminate flooring. This will reduce the time to search for several contractors and reduce the risk of inconsistency. However, for major repairs, it is preferable to attract narrow-profile masters. Electrics, plumbing and finishing work require high qualifications, and an attempt to save money on specialists can turn into serious alterations," - said the expert.
According to him, the question of whether to hire a foreman depends on the scale of the project. If the repair involves several rooms or involves complex coordination of different specialists, the foreman will be an indispensable assistant. He controls the schedule, quality of work and compliance with the estimate. However, it should be borne in mind that the services of the foreman increases the cost of repair by about 10-15%. If the project is small, and the customer is ready to give time for control, you can do without him.
"Making an estimate is a key stage of planning the repair. It allows you to fix the scope of work, the cost of materials and services. Without an estimate, it is difficult to control costs and avoid additional expenses. To compile it, it is worth analyzing the proposals of different contractors, compare prices for materials and work. This will not only save you from overpayments, but also give you confidence in the transparency of the process," Orekhov explained.
Speaking about the purchase of materials, the expert noted that the best option will be large construction hypermarkets or online stores. They have a wide range of products, frequent promotions and the possibility of delivery. It is profitable to buy materials in advance, especially during seasonal sales. If the room allows, it is worth buying materials with a reserve to avoid unnecessary trips and overpayments. But it is important to study reviews and choose products with the best price-quality ratio.
"You can also save money by doing some of the simple work yourself. For example, removing old finishes, painting or installing skirting boards is quite feasible for a person without experience. This will not only reduce costs, but also give a sense of participation in the process," emphasized the CEO of NATEC.
He also drew attention to the fact that the budget of repair depends on its type. Cosmetic repairs will cost on average from Br6 thousand to Br10 thousand per square meter, while the capital repair - from Br15 thousand and more. The final cost depends on the quality of materials, the complexity of the work and the region.
"The approach to savings is not to reduce mandatory items of expenditure, but in competent planning, selection of proven specialists and careful market analysis," Orekhov concluded.
Earlier, December 29, 2024, it was reported that among the surveyed Russians 9% of respondents plan to make repairs in 2025. Such data follow from the results of the survey of MAXIMUM Education. Another 15% of respondents are going to visit a new country on vacation, 12% - to help a child with admission.
