Designer, Foreman or DIY: Who to Trust for Renovation and How Not to Make a Mistake

"It seems like on every second apartment in our building there's a flood," — honestly admits Ksenia Shahmatova, a renovation expert with more than 250 completed projects. Renovation is always a challenge, and success largely depends on the team that carries it out. In our show "Renovation Movement," we don't only showcase the final result but also the entire process with all its complexities, including working with professionals — from designers to workers. Who is better to trust for renovation and how not to make a mistake with the choice?

Watch all Episodes of the Renovation Movement here:

• Episode 1: Bought a destroyed Stalin-era apartment – what went wrong?
• Episode 2: Relocation: What solution saved our Stalin-era apartment?
• Episode 3: Mistakes in renovation that will cost a lot.
• Episode 4: How to stay within 3 million? Finish finishing.
• Episode 5: It was a nightmare, but we made it — renovation of a Stalin-era apartment.

Key Points from the Article:

• The renovation team can consist of different specialists, each solving their own tasks;

• Men and women work differently in the renovation field, which affects the project;

• "Golden" professions in renovation — welders and gas fitters, their services are the most expensive;

• DIY renovation requires serious knowledge and control of many details.

Who is the "Chief of the Bacchic Ritual" and Why Is He Needed

In "Renovation Movement," Ksenia Shahmatova openly admits: "It's not that I'm a designer. I tell everyone that I'm the chief of all this bacchanalia." This is a key position, without which it's easy to lose control over the process.

The project manager (or senior foreman) is a person who:

• Coordinates all participants in the process;

• Makes strategic decisions;

• Controls the budget;

• Ensures deadlines are met;

• Solves emerging problems.

In the show, we see how important it is to have such a specialist. When a flood occurs, it's Ksenia who evaluates the situation and makes the decision: "If here we were all flooded, we would wait for it to dry out because you can't do such wet works."

Foreman: Brain of the Construction or Source of Problems?

The foreman is a key figure on the construction site, whose decisions determine the implementation of all ideas. In "Renovation Movement," we see how foreman Andrey makes decisions on-site: which walls to level with gypsum board and which to plaster, how to mount blocks.

Ksenia shares an interesting observation: "On this renovation, our foreman is a man, and that's a certain specificity. Men are more stubborn. If I tell a girl something and I'm 100% sure she will do exactly what I told her, with a man something might go wrong. His imagination might kick in. He might not tell me something and decide on the spot."

On one hand, the foreman's initiative is a plus: "People are not thoughtless robots who are ready to make decisions and take responsibility for those decisions — that's pure happiness for any company." On the other hand, it's a risk of deviating from the original plan.

"Golden" Professions in Renovation

Renovating an apartment requires the participation of specialists from various professions, and some of them are particularly expensive. In the show, Ksenia honestly discusses pricing:

"If I'm looking at young people, I recommend everyone to go to a technical school and study welding because there's no more golden profession... Another good profession is a gas fitter. Welding and gas work are like oligarchs."

Indeed, the project of reworking the pipes cost 100,000 rubles, which is twice as much as expected: "I've never heard of such a price before, I've never seen it cost 100,000 rubles. In my mind, it would be no more than fifty thousand."

The reason for the high cost is that "many people participate, particularly a plumber and a welder," and also because "we can't do it ourselves; we need the housing management company to disconnect, and representatives from the housing management company to carry out the work because it's common property."

Workers: Who Determines the Quality of Execution

Even the most talented designer and experienced foreman won't help if the workers don't do their job properly. In "Renovation Movement," we see how important it is for the executors to be careful and understand what is expected of them.

"Look how carefully the workers are doing their job. It's rare to see such precision," — the hosts note while inspecting the construction site. The workers' attention to detail is evident in small things: how tools are arranged, how materials are prepared.

It's worth noting that "in the places where furniture will be installed, we build as straight as possible," showing attention to detail and understanding of the final goal of the renovation.

Designer: Necessity or Luxury?

In the show "Renovation Movement," it's interesting that Ksenia, as a project manager, is not a designer. However, she makes decisions on planning, materials, and other aspects usually handled by designers.

"I worry about everything. I want to say that I care about every apartment as if it were my own, as if it were the first," — she admits, emphasizing the importance of personal involvement in the process.

This raises an important question: Is a designer needed as a separate specialist, or can their functions be performed by another member of the team? Judging by the show, much depends on the complexity of the project and whether the client or project leader has a clear vision.

When It's Better to Do the Renovation Yourself

Looking at the many specialists involved in "Renovation Movement," a question arises: can you do everything yourself? The answer depends on several factors:

When You Can Try DIY Renovation:

• You have experience in construction work;

• The renovation is cosmetic, without re-planning;

• You're ready to spend time learning about technologies and materials;

• You have the necessary tools.

When It's Better to Contact Professionals:

• During capital renovation with re-planning;
  

• When engineering communications are involved;

• If coordination with various institutions is required;

• When time is limited.

In the show, we see how even professionals encounter unexpected situations: "Floods are impossible to control, especially in old buildings. If you touch one place, a crack appears on the towel warmer, on the pipe, or on the radiator."

How to Choose a Reliable Executor

Based on the team from "Renovation Movement," several signs of good specialists can be identified:

• Openness and Honesty. A good executor does not hide problems but offers solutions. "We consulted with people from gas organizations. They are not thrilled, but there are ways around these GOSTs," — an example of how the team openly discusses difficult issues.

• Attention to Detail. "We tried to build walls straight, so there wouldn't be any major issues later. In other words, you already have your hand in it," — says foreman Andrey, demonstrating a professional approach.

• Readiness for Unconventional Solutions. "We want to try something we've never done before, but we want to try a sliding partition," — such initiative helps find optimal solutions for complex problems.

• Experience in Similar Projects. "We're waiting for plumbers who will handle all this. The preparations are already done, everything is basically ready," — it's clear that the team knows what they're doing and works according to a well-developed plan.

Communication as the Key to Success

One of the main lessons from the show "Renovation Movement" is the importance of communication between all participants in the process. Ksenia constantly discusses details with the foreman and workers, asks clarifying questions, and explains her ideas.

"Maybe something needs to be reprocessed or twisted," — she says, showing readiness to understand technical details and actively participate in decision-making.

Good communication allows:

• To avoid misunderstandings and mistakes;

• To solve emerging problems in a timely manner;

• To keep all participants updated on the current state of the project;

• To adapt to changes during the renovation process.

The choice between a designer, foreman, renovation agency, or DIY is not just about budget but also your expectations, time, and willingness to immerse yourself in the process. The main thing is to understand that renovation success depends on the coordinated work of the entire team, where everyone knows their role and responsibility. If you decide to follow our "Renovation Movement" further, you will see how all participants in the process interact in practice and what result they achieve in the end.

Episode 5 (Final):