We will not open America if we write that repair is expensive. But how much? The final budget depends on many factors, for example, the type of repair, the cost of materials and the payment of the work of specialists. In this article, we will tell you how to correctly calculate the cost of future repairs, and orientate at the prices of professionals in 2023.
Content:
- Capital or cosmetic repairs?
- How to find and calculate information about the cost of materials and contract services?
- How to calculate the total cost of repair?
- How much to postpone for unforeseen expenses?
- Draw up a work plan and schedule for their implementation
- 6 tips that will help to avoid budget overrun


Design of a two -room apartment 80 m2 – all photos
Capital or cosmetic repairs?
The first thing you should decide which repair is needed: capital or cosmetic.
Cosmetics are usually made in new buildings that are presented with pre -trim or in the form of White Box. There are already communications, there is a new wiring and only finishing work is required:
- Wall painting, decorative plaster or gluing new wallpaper.
- Replacing the flooring.
- Ceiling repair.
- Updating furniture, installing new lamps, mirrors and other decorative accessories.
The secondary, as a rule, requires major repairs, which includes the update and change in the main structural elements of the room:
- Electrician. Replacing wiring, installing new circuit breakers.
- Plumbing. Replacing old pipes and plumbing devices.
- Floors. Alignment, insulation of the floor and laying of new materials.
- Walls. Plaster and finishing, installing new partitions or decorative elements.
- Ceilings. Plaster and finishing work.
- Windows and doors. Replacing old windows and doors with new ones. Installing new doorbells and external slopes.
Cosmetic repairs are much cheaper than the capital, since it does not require significant costs to replace the main elements.


Design of a two -room apartment 111 m2 – all photos
How to find and calculate information about the cost of materials and contract services?
First, make a list of works that you need to do. Calculate the area of walls, floor and ceiling, decide on the type of materials.
Next, you can go in two ways: make an estimate on your own or contact specialists.
In the first case, you will have to spend a lot of time. To do this, walk around the construction stores, study online offers, interview friends and acquaintances who recently made repairs. So you can understand the order of prices for materials.
The cost of different types of work depends on your location and skill of specialists. You can see the price of prices for repair services on the Internet. However, it is important to understand that this price can change after the master examines your apartment and makes measurements.
Therefore, it is better to immediately contact professionals. To make an estimate, they will evaluate the front of the work and clearly indicate the cost of their services. Contact several companies, compare their offers. It is important not to cheat: very low prices for services should alert you. Most likely, behind these prices, a catch is hidden – low quality of work or payments for additional services that are not indicated in the estimate.
Competent experts will help to accurately determine the necessary volume of materials and work, as well as learn about possible risks and difficulties.
Based on the information received, create a detailed list of all materials and services that will be required. Divide the costs of materials and work to understand the budget structure.


Design of a two -room apartment 58 m2 – all photos
How to calculate the total cost of repair?
The calculation of the total cost of repair includes materials, work of employees and additional costs:
- Make a list of all the work that is planned to be carried out. Include everything in it – from the demolition of old structures to the decoration of walls and floors. The more the list will be, the more accurate your calculation will be.
- Explore the building materials market. Create a detailed list of materials necessary for each part of the project. Consider prices, quantity and quality of materials.
- Contact several contractors to get estimates from them for work. Compare their sentences and select the right one.
- If you plan to do some work with your own hands, consider the cost of the necessary tools and materials for these tasks.
- Lay a reserve for unforeseen expenses that may come up during the repair process.
The total cost of repair will be the amount of the cost of materials, services of professionals and additional costs. If you do not have the opportunity to pay for everything at once, distribute the cost of repairs in phases. Plan how much you are ready to spend on each phase of work.
During the repair process, update the budget, track the costs and compare them with the planned costs.



Design of a two -room apartment 66 m2 – all photos
How much to postpone for unforeseen expenses?
In the process of repair, unexpected problems may occur, for example, hidden defects will be found or changes in the project will be required. All this implies additional expenses that need to be taken into account when planning the budget.
The value of the reserve primarily depends on the total cost of the repair. It is recommended to lay from 10 to 20% of the total budget for unforeseen expenses. It is important to consider:
- The complexity of the repair. If you plan overhaul or redevelopment, the probability of unforeseen problems is higher. In such cases, the reserve should be more.
- Age and state of real estate. Old houses can have hidden problems that are detected during the repair process.
- Type of repair. If you plan cosmetic repairs, the probability of unforeseen expenses below. Under overhaul, the reserve should be larger.
Discuss your project with a designer or an experienced contractor. They can help evaluate potential risks and offer recommendations on the size of the reserve.
Do not forget to keep records of all expenses during the repair. If you notice that the reserve is quickly exhausted due to unforeseen circumstances, be prepared to adapt your budget and make appropriate changes.
The reserve for unforeseen expenses is not lost money. If you don’t have to use it, you can spend it on other needs, for example, on additional details for the interior.



Design of a two -room apartment 83 m2 – all photos
Draw up a work plan and schedule for their implementation
The work plan helps to determine all the stages of repairs, starting from the demolition of the old structures to the installation of the final details of the interior. It indicates what materials and work are needed at each stage, as well as the procedure for their implementation. The schedule involves the appointment of a temporary framework for each stage of the project. You install deadlines when each part of the work should be completed.
To draw up a work plan with a schedule, create a table with a list of work and materials. Break all actions into large stages. For example, the first step may be preparatory work: dismantling old coatings, a bulk floor, wall plaster and others. Plan how much time it takes to perform these works. If you do not know what terms to indicate, consult with a designer or experienced master.
Why is this necessary? When the project has a realistic schedule, you can optimize the use of resources and materials. You order materials in advance and plan resources so that they are available at the right time. This avoids haste in purchases.
Operational response to any changes in the graphics is also important. If some stage of work is delayed, this may entail additional costs. Moreover, the real work schedule allows you to control the process.
In addition, the schedule allows you to identify unforeseen problems in the early stages. If you find the problem at the beginning of the project, you will have more time to solve it.
And in the absence of a schedule, the risks of delays, overpayments and insufficient control over expenses increase significantly. Therefore, do not be lazy and draw up a detailed work plan with a schedule for their implementation.



Design of a two -room apartment 69 m2 – all photos
6 tips that will help to avoid budget overrun
- Develop a work plan that will take into account every little thing. Do not forget about the budget – determine how much you are ready to spend on each repair stage.
- Study the market, compare prices and conditions. Get estimates from several contractors and compare them carefully. This step will help you save a lot of money.
- Do not forget to keep strict accounting of each ruble. Keep a cost magazine – this will help you see where your money goes, and avoid unnecessary expenses.
- Communicate with contractors. Discuss each stage of work and costs in detail. Require detailed reports and updates. The more you know, the easier it will be to manage the budget.
- Do not forget to include a reserve for unforeseen expenses in the repair budget. This additional supply of finance will help you calmly respond to unexpected situations without stress.
- Feel free to participate in the process. You can do some work yourself and manage the project personally. This will give you control over each aspect, will help to avoid overspenders and create the basis for the successful completion of the repair.



Design of a three -room apartment 90 m2 – all photos
Conclusions
Of course, repairs in the apartment are always not easy. However, budget planning helps to avoid many financial difficulties. You should know exactly how much you are ready to spend on each stage of repair: from materials to the services of contractors.
When you have a clear plan, you can compare prices for materials and services by choosing the most profitable options. An accurate understanding of expenses allows you to exclude the cost of unnecessary things or services.
