The expert gave advice on the choice of finishes in a new building

When buying an apartment in a new building, it is important to take into account not only the location of the house, the layout and the cost of housing, but also the condition in which the object will be transferred to the owner. Developers offer several finishing options — rough, pre-finishing and finishing, but there are no uniform standards for these concepts. Dmitry Sofronov, Commercial Director of DARS Group, told Izvestia on July 31 about the differences between the formats and important nuances when choosing an apartment.

According to the expert, buyers often focus only on the name of the finish, without examining the list of specific works that are included in the offer. At the same time, it is the amount of work performed that determines the future expenditure of time, effort and money after receiving the keys.

"It is the list of work carried out that determines how much time, effort and money it will take after receiving the keys. So, before buying, it is important to carefully study the equity participation agreement and the specification, which specifies what exactly is included in the selected option," Sofronov explained.

The most basic option is rough finishing. With this format, the developer performs a minimal set of work: installs the front door and windows, brings in the main utilities and performs rough floor screed. The expert called the lower cost of the apartment the main advantage of this option. Usually, housing with rough finishing costs 10-20% cheaper than similar options with ready-made repairs. In addition, the owner gets the opportunity to independently choose materials, design and control all stages of interior creation.

However, this format requires additional investment and time. After receiving the keys, the owner will have to carry out full-fledged repairs, find contractors and monitor the quality of work.

"Rough finishing means that the owner is facing several months of repairs, additional costs and the need to constantly monitor contractors. This choice is justified if you are willing to invest in creating an interior from scratch," Sofronov said.

When accepting an apartment with rough finishing, the expert advises checking the compliance of the area and ceiling height with the contract data, assessing the geometry of the premises, the condition of the windows and the entrance door, ventilation, counters and the quality of waterproofing in rooms with high humidity. Also, before buying, it is necessary to clarify the terms of the contract: for example, interior partitions are not always included in this finishing option.

They will collect on bricks: the residents will no longer be charged for acceleration of capital repairs

Regional operators will be required to carry out an inspection of the technical condition of the house every five years

The next format is pre—finishing. In this case, the developer performs basic preparatory work: aligns walls and ceilings, makes floor screeds, installs interior partitions and prepares engineering systems. However, the scope of work may vary depending on the project. In some cases, the developer does not perform electrical wiring, leaving the future owner the opportunity to independently determine the location of outlets and communications.

According to Sofronov, pre-finishing makes it possible to shorten the repair time, since the most time-consuming stages have already been completed. The owner only needs to complete the finishing work, choose decorative materials, install furniture and appliances.

The most convenient option for buyers remains an apartment with a high-quality finish. Such housing is almost ready to move in: the developer finishes the walls and ceilings, lays the flooring, installs doors, plumbing, sockets and switches. Individual projects may additionally include a kitchen, furniture, and household appliances.

The main advantage of finishing is the ability to move in immediately after receiving the keys. However, with this option, the buyer is limited to ready-made design solutions and materials used by the developer.

"The mass approach is primarily a practical option with a universal design and project—level materials, which provides an optimal balance of price and quality. But those who want an individual interior should take into account the limitations of the ready—made solution," the expert said.

When choosing a finishing format, Sofronov recommends taking into account not only the cost, but also the goals of the buyer. The draft version is suitable for those who want to create an individual interior and are ready to renovate. Pre-finishing will be a compromise solution for those who want to shorten the work time. The finishing is suitable for buyers who need to move in quickly, as well as for those who purchase a rental home.

The expert stressed that before buying an apartment, it is necessary to carefully study the contract and the specification, since the same name of the finish from different developers may mean a different amount of work performed.

Boris Sidorov, director of Kashirsky Dvor Shopping center, told Izvestia on June 6 that Russians are less likely to organize repairs on their own. According to him, more and more people prefer to entrust the selection of materials, the search for contractors and the control of work to professionals, or choose ready-made solutions.