What is an apartment renovation?

In conversations of apartment owners in various construction forums, quite often you can find such a thing as “European-quality repair”. However, it is not always clear what is specifically implied by this word. What is a European-quality repair and how does it differ from other types of repair work in an apartment?

The term European-style repair began to be used in the 90s of the last century. Prior to this, all Soviet apartments, with rare exceptions, were similar to each other as twin brothers. It’s enough to recall everyone’s favorite film “The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!”. The same layout, the same type of furniture, similar finishes. The scarcity of choice of building materials reduced all repairs in the apartment, as a rule, to whitewashing ceilings, wallpapering and painting pipes, heating radiators and window frames.

With the advent of the latest Western technologies for the repair of apartments and materials, the situation has changed dramatically. Now the degree of complexity and the nature of the repair work was limited only by the financial capabilities of the customer. People, tired of the template uniformity, began to strive to give their apartment their individual style. Then in everyday life the concept of "European-quality repair" appeared.

What was originally meant by the term "European-quality repair"?

Initially, the European-style repair implied work in the apartment according to some vague European standards, essentially differing from repair work in Soviet times both in materials and technologies used, and in total volume transformations:

• It was supposed to replace plumbing and communications.
• wooden window frames were changed to plastic windows with double-glazed windows;
• suspended ceilings were installed;
• instead of the usual wallpaper, the walls more often began to be painted or covered decorative plaster;
• Various floor coverings were widely used, displacing the usual linoleum.

Aiming at the individual appearance of the apartment, they began to carry out its redevelopment more often, which was practically not encountered in Soviet times.

At the same time, a wide selection of finishing materials, affordable technologies for their application began to allow give the apartment a unique look even when redecorating, not to mention capital. What is renovation at present and what are its characteristic features?

Design project

Renovation is simply impossible without contacting a professional designer to create a project for a future apartment. As a rule, it should be sustained in a single style, which is determined by the individual tastes of customers. The designer must consider everything: the interior decoration of rooms, plumbing, lighting, electrical wiring, ventilation. Even the furniture is selected by him in accordance with the chosen style.

Modern computer modeling allows the owner to evaluate the interior of the apartment even before the start of repair work. This makes it possible to make the necessary adjustments even at the stage of planning a European-quality repair, which seriously saves time, money and nerves.

Also, the designer is determined with the materials used in the repair. If an apartment redevelopment is planned, then the work does not begin earlier than all the necessary permits from the relevant authorities are received.

Unauthorized redevelopment of an apartment during a European-style repair is fraught with many negative consequences. In the best case, the owner will encounter problems when selling an apartment with unauthorized redevelopment. At worst, ill-conceived demolition of partitions, the construction of some new structures can lead to weakening of the entire building. The consequences in this case can be the most catastrophic.

Renovation cost

After the approval of the project, the total cost of renovation is calculated. And we must be prepared for the fact that the amount obtained is not small.

Another characteristic feature of these works: renovation in an apartment is almost impossible to do with your own hands.

Design decisions and materials used may require not only specific skills, but also the availability of special equipment and tools. Buying them for a single use will be too expensive and irrational, and finding friends is unlikely to succeed. In addition, the slightest incompetence can result in large financial losses. Therefore, to carry out European-quality repairs in the apartment, it is recommended to use the services of large construction companies that possess the necessary equipment and qualified specialists.

The list of works specific to European-quality repair

As a rule, during the European-quality repair, the following works are also carried out:

• All electrical wiring in the apartment is completely changed. New sockets and switches are being installed. All wires are hidden in the walls, floor or ceiling.
• Engineering communications are also being completely replaced. Metal pipes are replaced by more reliable and durable plastic counterparts. If possible, they are also cleaned on the floor or walls of the apartment.
• Ordinary wooden windows in the apartment change to modern designs with double-glazed windows. Profile material and model determined by the operating conditions, the general design of the premises and the wishes of the customer. When repairing an extra-class, PVC windows often prefer windows with a profile made of wood. Interior doors are also changing.

• Modern flooring is laid - laminate flooring, tile. Often use the technology of "warm floors". They provide the maximum level of comfort in the room.
• Walls and ceilings are perfectly aligned. Materials and technologies here can be very diverse, it all depends on the designer's idea. But we can say for sure: with a quality renovation in the apartment, there simply cannot be curves or cluttered surfaces.

After the completion of all work, the contractor company also carries out the “cleaning” of the premises. Thus, the customer receives a room that is completely ready for use. No need to spend a lot of time and effort on cleaning dust and garbage, which will be a lot during the redevelopment of the apartment. This will be done by professionals equipped with special equipment. There is also no problem with the removal of construction waste.

Thus, renovation of an apartment implies only the highest quality of work. After its completion, the room should be ideally adapted to the people living in it, take into account their individual characteristics and tastes, provide them with comfort for many years.