How Much Will the Repair Cost: Making a Budget with a Professional

Elena Musina calculated how much it costs to do a repair «from scratch». For the calculations, the designer used a 50 sq. m. two-room apartment — but once you know the minimum cost per square meter, you can easily determine what budget you'll need.

Elena Musina — an expert, interior designer, graduate of the International School of Design

Design project

2,500 rubles * 50 sq. m. = 125,000 rubles.

A design project isn't necessary for everyone — if your budget is very limited, skip this step. But a project will help you plan all expenses before the repair and stay within your desired amount. It also minimizes the chance of mistakes.

Raw materials and construction work

Materials: 5,000 rubles * 50 sq. m. = 250,000 rubles.

This is the minimum: the price depends on the condition of surfaces. I use an average cost: blocks for walls, sand-cement mixture and rebar for screed, cables, conduits and wires for electricity, plaster, putty, profiles, gypsum board for ceilings, consumables. The cheapest layout — 5,000 rubles per square meter.

Work: 10,000 rubles * 50 sq. m. = 500,000 rubles.

This is the average option — price is negotiable. Price range — from 7,000 rubles per square meter to 10,500 rubles and higher. Budget contractors can ruin even the most expensive materials, but experienced craftsmen can lay even inexpensive materials so they look great.

The price also depends on the technical specification. For example, «walls for painting» cost more than «for wallpaper». Laying laminate is much cheaper than installing individual parquet. The final cost is determined by builders after measuring wall irregularities and ceiling and floor level differences.

Important: Don't forget about garbage removal. Some contractors include these works in the estimate, others charge separately.

Windows

3 windows + balcony glazing = 130,000 rubles.

Approximate sum — based on a typical two-room apartment.

Window sills

3 plastic window sills — 4,500 rubles.

There are many options. The cheapest ones — white plastic. You can also make wooden, artificial stone or tile window sills.

Finishing materials

150,000 rubles — for laminate, profiles, tiles, wallpapers, skirting boards, curtains.

It's better to consult with a designer in this case — any budget can have materials that suit your taste.

Furniture

Average 250,000 rubles for the kitchen and economy-class wardrobes + 150,000 rubles for a sofa, bed, nightstands, tables, chairs, curtains, decor.

Most of the budget «will be eaten up» by the kitchen and wardrobes. If you want to save money, go for ready-made options. Again — a designer will help prepare the walls from the start so that IKEA wardrobes look like built-in custom ones.

Plumbing

Minimum — 75,000 rubles.

There's no point in saving here: plumbing is installed once and lasts long, so choose proven brands.

Include a budget for a bathtub, bathroom tap, overflow, toilet, shower, sink, cabinet, siphon, mirror, towel warmer.

Appliances

It's unlikely you'll stay under 200,000 rubles.

This includes a refrigerator, stove, oven, range hood, washing machine and dishwasher, microwave oven.

Electrical work and lighting

Average — 50,000 rubles for outlets, switches, light fixtures, floor heating sensor.

All depends on the selected brands and quantity. You can buy designer series outlets for 65,000 rubles. Or budget ones — and stay within a budget of 25,000 rubles. The same applies to lighting.

Doors

You will need an entrance and interior doors. Entrance door prices start from 40,000 rubles. Interior doors (in finish film) — from 12,500 rubles per set with handles, hinges and locks.

You will also need to pay for:

• Project for layout changes — if you're changing the wall position even slightly: 40,000 rubles.
  
• Air conditioners: the unit and installation.
  
• Soundproofing — at your discretion.
  
• Delivery. For some reason, people always forget about this. It requires a decent budget — at least 30,000 rubles.
  
• Furniture assembly and installation — about 10% of furniture cost. Appliance and plumbing connection — the same, 10% of cost.
  
• Curtains and decor.
  
• Intercom, doorbell.
  
• Heating radiators.
  

Total cost

For a 50 sq. m. two-room apartment — 2,285,000 rubles. That's 45,000 rubles per square meter. This is a budget repair of an economy-class apartment «from scratch».

Plus additional expenses — at least 10% more is always good to have as a reserve.

On the cover: Elena Musina's design project.