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DIY Repair

Where Did the 3 Million Go? Real Cost of Renovation vs. Beautiful Photos on Social Media

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Behind the beautiful photos lies a huge amount of work, time, and, of course, money

Watch all episodes of Renovation Movement here:

  • Episode 1: Bought a destroyed Stalin-era apartment – what went wrong?
  • Episode 2: Relocation: which solution saved our Stalin-era apartment?
  • Episode 3: Expensive renovation mistakes.
  • Episode 4: How to stay within 3 million? Finishing touches.
  • Episode 5: It was a nightmare, but we made it – room tour of the Stalin-era apartment.

As part of the 'Renovation Movement' project, we transform a three-room Stalin-era apartment (series 205, 77 sq m) with an expert, Ksenia Shakhmatova. Our budget is 3 million rubles, and this number causes a strong reaction from viewers. Some think it's outrageous, others consider it unrealistically low for a full renovation in Moscow. Where does this difference in perception of renovation costs come from? Let's find out where the money actually goes and why beautiful photos on social media don't reflect reality.

Main Points of the Article:

  • 3 million covers the full cycle from demolition to decoration, including furniture and appliances;

  • Work by the crew in a dump costs about 770,000 rubles (10,000 rubles/sq m);

  • Redesigning utilities can cost up to 100,000 rubles per riser;

  • Demolition and waste removal — an invisible but significant expense;

  • "Invisible" rough work consumes up to 40% of the budget.

When Renovation Becomes a Financial Pitfall

"I also see comments from people who are surprised by the 3 million ruble estimate, and I usually have to defend those who don't believe that you can do it for 3 million, but here we have a somewhat different audience who says 3 million is too much," — Ksenia shares.

Let's understand why there's such misunderstanding and what actually goes into this amount.

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What Hides Behind Perfect 'Before/After' Photos

When you see a transformation of an apartment on social media with the caption "Renovated for 1.5 million," it's important to understand what authors mean. Usually, this amount includes:

  • Materials for finishing;
  • Work on finishing;
  • Basic plumbing;
  • A few beautiful photos for social media.

But what is usually NOT included in this "budget" amount:

  • Demolition of old finishes;
  • Waste removal and disposal;
  • Rough materials;
  • Relocation;
  • Utility replacement;
  • Furniture and appliances;
  • Design project;
  • Decoration and textiles.
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What the Real Cost of Renovation Includes

In our case, 3 million covers the entire process from start to finish:

"We're talking about entering the apartment, which was in a depressing state, and when we exit after 3 months, it's completely new after full renovation. It's not just some minor touch-ups — no, we do all the work from demolition to curtains and pillows," explains Ksenia.

Let's see how this budget is distributed:

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Work by the Crew: 770,000 Rubles

"In the first episode I mention that our workers charge 10,000 rubles per square meter, and the cost of their work is 770,000 rubles for this entire apartment because it's a dump of 77 sq m," Ksenia explains.

  • Demolition;
  • Building new walls;
  • Laying utilities;
  • Electrical work;
  • Plumbing;
  • Tiling;
  • Painting work;
  • Floors and walls.

What the crew does NOT do:

  • Installing windows;
  • Ceiling installations;
  • Welding risers;
  • Furniture assembly.
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Materials: About 810,000 Rubles

"About 810,000 rubles for all materials — that's any rough and finishing materials," Ksenia shares.

  • Plastering;
  • Spackling;
  • Primer;
  • Waterproofing;
  • Floor screed;
  • Pour-in-place floor;
  • Wires and cables;
  • Tubes and fittings.

Waste Removal: 55,000 Rubles

"We spent only 55,000 rubles on waste," Ksenia notes.

Who would have thought that removing construction waste could cost as much as a good smartphone? But in old buildings, the amount of waste after demolition is always impressive.

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Unexpected Expenses: 100,000+ Rubles

"Unplanned expenses included a riser that had to be redesigned, which was a full record!" — Ksenia shares.

  • Hidden wall and slab defects;
  • Problems with communal utilities;
  • Leaks and floods;
  • Electrical issues.

Furniture, Appliances and Decor: About 1,200,000 Rubles

The remaining part of the budget goes toward filling the apartment with everything needed:

  • Kitchen set with appliances;
  • Integrated wardrobes and closets;
  • Bathroom fixtures (bathtub, toilets, mixers);
  • Lighting;
  • Doors;
  • Soft furniture;
  • Decoration and textiles.

Why It Looks Cheaper on Social Media

There are several reasons for the distorted perception of renovation costs:

They Show Only the Final Result

Social media rarely shows the "dirty" part of renovation — rough work, which consumes up to 40% of the budget. Seeing only a beautiful picture makes it hard to estimate how much work has been done.

They Downplay Real Timeframes

"Here, three to five employees regularly work here, they live here," Ksenia talks about her crew.

Often in posts it says "completed in a month," but they don't mention that 5-6 people worked 12 hours a day, including weekends. This significantly affects the cost.

They Don't Include All Expenses

Many only count direct costs for finishing, ignoring:

  • Design project;
  • Material delivery;
  • Post-renovation cleaning;
  • Temporary housing costs.

They Work with Unofficial Crews

Saving on "gray" crews can backfire and lead to additional costs for fixing mistakes. Ksenia emphasizes:

"No matter how much you trust people, no matter how good your working and personal relationships are with them, in renovation always leave some payment for all completed work at the end."

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Where You Can (And Cannot) Save Money

You can save:
  • Choosing the season of renovation — winter is often cheaper;
  • Buying materials yourself — no markup from contractors;
  • Refusing unnecessary perfectionism — not everything needs to be perfectly leveled;
  • Simple room geometry — fewer angles and niches, lower costs;
  • Modular furniture instead of custom-made — "We use modular kitchens — these are cabinets, we measure everything and order them, it will all look very beautiful".
You cannot save:
  • Electrical and plumbing work — safety;
  • Quality of rough materials — foundation for the entire renovation;
  • Waterproofing in wet zones — flooding can ruin everything;
  • Ventilation — critical for comfort;
  • A reliable crew with a clear contract — your peace of mind is priceless.

How to Realistically Estimate a Renovation Budget

  • Multiply the area by 40,000-50,000 rubles: This is the approximate cost of a full renovation with furniture and appliances in Moscow in 2023-2024.

  • Add 15-20% for unexpected expenses: Especially if renovating a secondary market property.

  • Be honest with yourself: If the budget is limited, prioritize and say no to unnecessary things.

  • Document all agreements in writing: This way you avoid unexpected additional payments.

Why 3 Million Is Normal

"The budget for full renovation of this area is minimal. If anyone who writes these comments tries to do a full renovation themselves, it's an absolutely reasonable amount for this area and especially for this level of renovation," Ksenia summarizes.

When talking about a complete transformation of an apartment in old buildings — with relocation, replacement of all utilities, stylish design and quality materials — 3 million for a dump in Moscow can even be considered an economical option.

The key is to understand that beautiful photos on social media are just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath them lies a colossal amount of work, time and, of course, money.

Have you encountered unexpected expenses during renovation? Share your experience in the comments!