If you become the happy owner of an apartment in a new building, then before you move in, you will have to make repairs. Most of the housing that builders are now renting out does not have a final renovation, and you have to arrange everything to your liking, from installing plumbing and doors to.

But where to start? There is so much that needs to be done: there is no normal floor, the walls are crooked, no doors, no bathtub. Today we will look at the stages of repairs in a new building in order to do everything according to the rules, save money and time on possible mistakes. This will also be useful for those who already have finished apartments, because the procedure for repairing an apartment does not change.

Repairing a new building is different in that it will still shrink over time, and therefore cracks may appear. The floor, walls and ceiling will crack over time, especially in the first years, and you need to take this into account when renovating. Of course, it is better not to use expensive materials in the finishing of a new building or to use those that are not afraid of cracks.

In the apartment, immediately after moving in, you can do the most dusty and noisy work, such as:

• installation of plumbing pipes;
• electrical wiring;
• floor screed;
• leveling walls;
• installation of suspended ceilings.

It is best to start working on them immediately after receiving the treasured keys to the apartment. When renting out the property, residents pay for a common container for construction waste, and it is removed within six months; they can use it. Another plus: no one lives in the new building yet, and work can be carried out even at night, no one will file a noise complaint. But when the first residents move into the new apartments, the noise will have to stop until 23:00, and in some regions even until 20:00.

Regardless of whether you do the repairs yourself or hire a team of workers, think about the procedure for carrying out repairs in the apartment - draw up a work plan.

Apartment layout

Draw a plan of your apartment to scale on paper or in a computer program. Decide where you want to place the plumbing: bath, shower, toilet. You can also look at ready-made examples of interiors in our article:.

A more difficult question is the layout of the kitchen. To compile it correctly, it’s worth looking through hundreds of photos and visiting showrooms. For example, many interesting ideas and solutions can be found at IKEA. Decide how it would be more convenient for you to prepare food, try to place all the necessary things nearby so that you don’t have to run from corner to corner. Determine a place to install cabinets, tables, stoves, ovens, microwaves, and refrigerators. The laying of wiring and pipes will depend on their position. They will only fit where you walk; there is no need to place them under the table or equipment.

Next, decide on the layout of the corridor and hallway. Choose a place to install a wardrobe for clothes and shoes or maybe you are interested. It is important to install sockets and switches correctly so as not to touch them with your back. Of course, it is best to use built-in switches, so you will have to ditch the walls.


In the bedroom, children's room and living room, you need to think about the location of cabinets, TV, computer, telephone and other equipment. The required number of sockets in the right place will depend on this.

Preparatory work

So, you have thought through everything and have already drawn up a plan; now you can draw up a diagram of the pipes and electrical wiring and begin carrying out repair work.

Repair procedure

Now it's time to start installing the plumbing and electrical wiring. Without electricity it will be difficult to do anything, so they usually start with it. If you are thinking about where to start renovating a room, it is the replacement and installation of plumbing and wires that are important.

Next, they usually begin the rough finishing of the floor, into the screed. If you are planning parquet in the future, then it is better to wait with self-leveling flooring and switch to walls and ceilings.


At the next stage, you can either use plasterboard (it is also appropriate to create arches, niches and partitions from it).

Cracks in the floor screed and walls appear due to non-compliance with technology and shrinkage of the house
It is worth noting that in the first years the appearance of cracks at the joints of the slabs is inevitable. On the ceiling you can avoid this, or rather, hide it with the help of a stretch ceiling. Also, in the first years, the grout seams on tiled walls will crack.

Let us briefly list the procedure for renovating an apartment in a new building:

• electrical wiring, antenna and telephone cables, heated floors;
• plumbing communications;
• rough finishing of floors, walls, ceilings;
• installation of an entrance door;
• floor screed;
• replacement of radiators and windows (if the standard ones are not satisfactory), installation of a balcony;
• ceiling finishing (whitewashing/painting/plasterboard/stretch);
• laying tiles in the bathroom, kitchen, hallway (on walls and floors);
• wall decoration;
• plumbing installation;
• installation of switches, sockets, lighting;
• laying the finishing floor covering;
• assembly and installation of kitchens and appliances;
• installation of door frames, thresholds, plinths;
• general cleaning of the entire apartment;
• arrangement of cabinets, upholstered furniture.

The correct procedure for repairing a room guarantees a high-quality and durable finish

Bathroom renovation stages

Separately, it is worth discussing the stages of bathroom renovation. This instruction will be relevant both for residents of new houses and for renovations in an old house. Naturally, in each case the order of work may vary; here are only general recommendations for planning repairs.


The procedure for renovating a bathroom is as follows.

• Plastering and leveling the floor.
• Installing pipes and creating a plasterboard box to hide them. If necessary, groove walls for wiring.
• Finishing the walls:, or other options.
• Installation of suspended or suspended ceilings and installation of lighting. When laying tiles, it is worth providing a gap at the top for installing the ceiling, so as not to drill into it. If you decide to paint or whitewash the ceiling, then this should be done before finishing the walls and floor, so as not to stain them.
• Floor repair: tiles, etc. Don't forget to treat the floor before finishing with a layer of waterproofing. If desired, you can install heated flooring.
• Installation of bathtub and sink.
• Installation of a mixer, heating barrel and other plumbing fixtures.
• Sealing the joint and sealing the gap near the bathroom (see).

Conclusion

This is how the renovation of the apartment proceeds. It is advisable to adhere to it, but, of course, there may be exceptions in each case. A lot depends on the materials you use. The main thing is to carry out the work in such an order as not to damage the already finished areas, and to preserve the result for as long as possible.

Any repair should begin with the production of a design project. Such a project contains data on the floor, ceiling, lighting scheme, furniture arrangement diagram, etc. Such a project can be created within three months, but this time and costs are necessary, because otherwise all the expensive repair work carried out may give a completely different result than we would like. The development of a design project can be extended for a couple of months if redevelopment is planned in the apartment, a change in the location of plumbing or gas equipment, etc. Such changes require approval from the relevant authorities.

Composition of the design project

The process of creating a design project consists of several mandatory stages, which are as follows.

1. The first step is studying the client's wishes to the future interior, its style, discussion of the main details and the main concept.
2. Then it is created preliminary design: all the client’s wishes are taken into account when creating a three-dimensional sketch that shows the design solution and the location of the main elements in the room or apartment.
3. After the preliminary design has been drawn up, they move on to selection of building materials and furniture, and here the specific model of a particular piece of furniture is already indicated.
4. Then move on to 3D visualization of space and creation of working drawings. The working drawing is created on the basis of a preliminary design, but contains specific details for the builders who will carry out all stages of the work. The author of the completed design project retains control over how his ideas and developments are implemented.

Programs for creating an apartment design project

To draw up a design project, at the visualization stage, designers often use special software with which they can virtually imagine the future design of a room or apartment. In such programs it is easy to change the color of walls, the width of passages, the size of windows, move furniture, change the layout of rooms, etc. Some such programs can eventually produce a detailed drawing with all the necessary quantities and values ​​for future implementation by specialists.

Let's look at a few examples of such software. It is worth noting that both free and paid programs have been released and are available. Let's look at what their main advantages are further.

Free programs

• Aston Design- a program that allows you to easily simulate a future room. You just need to set the parameters of the room, as well as the size and location of windows and doors. The program has a huge range of furniture that can be used in it, which can be used when designing bedrooms, living rooms, children's rooms, etc. When all the parameters have been entered and the furniture has been selected, all that remains is to move it around the room and change the colors of the walls and floor, and then you can clearly see everything that we are trying to see by moving the furniture from corner to corner and from room to room.
  
  You can send a request for the Aston Design program (Astron Design).
• Google Sketchup- a program that has two versions at once: paid and free. Interestingly, the free version has a fairly wide range of tools that can be used when creating a project. This program is easy to learn and will be useful for novice designers, but, nevertheless, it gives the opportunity to get excellent results. Some elements can additionally be downloaded on the Internet, where you can find already created interior projects, which can be used by some as a basis.
  
  Download Google Sketchup from the official website.
• Sweet Home 3D is a fairly easy-to-learn and use program that contains a lot of textures for floors, walls, doors, windows, furniture and accessories that can be used in a project. Any minimally trained person can quickly master such a program. The result of your design can be easily printed and sent by mail.
  
  You can download the Sweet Home 3D program (available in several languages, including Russian), and also get acquainted with its capabilities on the official website of the developer.

Paid programs

• PRO100– a program that has wide functionality for moving pieces of furniture around a virtual room. Each item in this program has its own pop-up menu, which allows you to select some characteristics of the item: color, material, texture, etc. A designer working with this program has the opportunity to view the created virtual interior in seven projections. When a change occurs in one of the project elements, this change is taken into account by other elements.
  
  More detailed information about the program can be obtained on the official website.
• Arcon Eleco is a program that is designed mainly for professional architects, but, unlike other paid programs, it is not very difficult to learn, since it does not have an overloaded, intricate menu. The process of creating a project in the program is quite typical for programs of this kind: the dimensions of the room are selected, all the furniture and accessories are placed, the finishing is selected, and then the designer receives three-dimensional models of the room of very high quality, which is why this program is very popular in Europe, where more than 20 people use it 000 specialists.
  
• ArchiCAD- a program that is widespread in the circles of architects and designers. With its help, the most complex objects are designed, although it can be used to create projects of any complexity. The program has very high capabilities, which makes it perhaps the most expensive among similar programs. It is worth noting that in addition to the design of the premises, the program makes it possible to maintain all kinds of construction documentation. The video shows a residential building project developed in the ArchiCAD program.

Stages of repair and finishing work

All repair work is carried out in several stages, the main characteristics of which will be given below. It is worth considering a brief sequence of all the work so that the entire order of their implementation will be more clear. So, the main stages of work are as follows.

1. Preparatory work:

• dismantling work and waste removal;
• installation of interior partitions, if necessary, as well as all necessary plasterboard structures.

2. Rough finish:

• ceiling plaster and;
• laying all cables and wires: internet, etc.;
• , as well as, if necessary, sound insulation;
• performing floor screeding;
• installation of sewer and water pipes;
• if necessary, moving heating and water supply risers;
• preparation of pipes and external unit;
• laying heated floors, if provided;
• installation of a towel dryer;
• installing frames for plumbing items that will not stand on the floor;
• installation of windows and .

3. Finish:

• laying tile flooring;
• installation of plasterboard structures or;
• priming the ceiling and walls;
• installation of reinforcing mesh on the walls;
• performing putty on the ceiling and walls;
• installation of socket boxes;
• laying ceiling plinth;
• performing finishing work on the walls;
• preparatory work for laying flooring.

4. Final stage:

• final painting of the ceiling and finishing of the walls;
• laying flooring and skirting boards;
• installation, lamps and;
• installation of radiators and towel dryers;
• installation of all plumbing;
• installation of air conditioning and underfloor heating controls, if necessary;
• installation of accessories and decorative elements.

5. Renting the apartment to the owner:

• removal of all construction debris and tools;
• cleaning.

It is with dismantling work that the entire process of repairing the premises begins. So, all the old finishing, and this is wallpaper, tiles, various partitions, is removed, preparing the surface for a new coating. At this stage, it is necessary to achieve the maximum amount of dismantling of the old finish, otherwise all further work may not bring the desired result.

Dismantling partitions

Partitions in the apartment can be safely removed, since they, unlike load-bearing walls, do not bear any load, but serve only to divide the space. There is usually a small gap between the partition and the ceiling, which ensures its integrity when the entire building shrinks. This gap is filled with tow, which needs to be removed. After this, the partition itself is dismantled: this must be done from top to bottom. So, for a brick wall, dismantling consists of gradually disassembling it. It is worth paying attention to protecting the floor from falling particles of the destroyed partition.

For this rather dirty procedure, you need to make sure you have gloves, headgear and special clothing to avoid injuries and negative effects on health. It is better to put construction waste on a cart or something similar, since garbage bags often break under the weight of the old floor covering. To dismantle a tiled floor you will need a sledgehammer and a chisel, but for a wooden floor you will not need to use as much force. If the floor covering does not need to be replaced, it must be carefully sealed to prevent damage.

To dismantle the door block, you must first start with the door, which is not so difficult to remove. It will be more difficult to remove the door jamb from the wall, especially since it can be installed in a load-bearing wall. After the door block is removed, the doorway can be changed in size depending on the parameters of the new jamb. If replacement of windows and doors is not expected, then you need to carefully remove the cracked paint, preparing the surface for applying a new coating.

Plaster is removed from the walls layer by layer, starting from the top of the wall. The wallpaper is torn off in pieces, and those that are firmly attached to the wall are soaked and removed with a spatula. Paints and enamels that are used to cover the ceiling can be removed with a spatula, starting from the places where cracks have formed, or you can simply wash it off until a layer of putty appears.

When all dismantling work is completed, you can proceed to the installation of new partitions in accordance with the prepared project. Partitions can be made of various materials: plasterboard, etc. All these materials have their pros and cons, but in most cases, each partition requires leaving a small gap between it and the ceiling, which is necessary in case the building shrinks.

Types of interior partitions

Naturally, a screen or a sliding door can serve as an interior partition, but many still prefer stationary partitions, which can be of different types. It is them that will be discussed further.

Review of stationary interior partitions made of various materials

Brick interior partitions

Such partitions are very often erected in modern apartments, including in bathrooms. The reason for this popularity is the advantages of brick, which consist in its moisture resistance and high ability to. However, brick is not without its drawbacks: for example, the construction of brick partitions requires a lot of time compared to interior partitions made of plasterboard and foam blocks, and also have significant weight.

Partitions made of tongue-and-groove slabs

Suitable for use in any room and under any conditions. Their advantages include fire resistance, moisture resistance, breathability, and environmental friendliness. Partitions of this type are relatively easy to install, and inside such partitions you can hide, for example, an electrical cable if the partition is single, and even a sewer or water pipe if it is double.

Foam block partitions

Such partitions are a type of concrete partitions, and therefore have such properties as fire resistance, high thermal and sound insulation ability, and excellent load-bearing capacity. The negative side of this type of partition is its low air permeability, but it is no less popular in use, since it is now considered the best solution for organizing interior partitions. Such partitions are strong and strong enough even to hang a kitchen, TV, loaded shelves, etc. on them.

Glass block partition

This type of partition is useful for unusual design ideas. The glass for such partitions is quite strong and has a width of up to 10 mm, and can also be decorated with any pattern, which makes it invaluable for creating an interesting design. In addition to design, the advantages of such a material include their heat and fire resistance, strength and reliability, as well as the ability to transmit light, which other types of partitions cannot do. Naturally, you cannot nail shelves to such a partition and lay electrical wiring in it.

Plasterboard partitions

Such partitions are often used to create frame structures. Due to the fact that drywall itself does not have sufficient strength, it is attached to a finished metal frame. With a small mass of such a partition, it has good soundproofing properties, it is vapor-tight and fire-resistant. Drywall, however, has some disadvantages: for example, it is not very durable, breaks easily, and can become saturated with moisture and become deformed. If you need to attach something to such a partition, you need to remember that it cannot withstand a lot of weight, and it is better to attach some structures to a metal frame.

Wooden partitions

Such partitions may differ in design, but they are all natural and have properties such as strength, good sound insulation and thermal insulation. But, in addition to these positive characteristics, wooden partitions have several disadvantages: they are able to absorb moisture and do not withstand fire well.

After installing all the necessary partitions, you should move on to plaster. Most often, gypsum plasters are used for this. When performing such work, you should carefully approach the process of applying and drying the plaster layer. So, a layer 6 cm thick can dry from 15 to 20 days, depending on the temperature. You should not use several layers, and especially, even if this is necessary, do long intervals between applying layers of plaster. Although it takes a long time to dry, it hardens quickly, which can cause the plaster to simply break off in pieces after the repair is completed and with a slight vibration effect on the walls due to the fact that its adhesion to the previous layer is very weak. Therefore, it is better to apply the plaster in only one layer, or, if absolutely necessary, apply the first layer evenly with slaps, and immediately after that move on to the second.

Plastering work can be done manually or using special equipment.

Machine plaster

Machine plastering is performed using a special plastering machine in which the solution is prepared and with which it is applied to the walls. The main advantages of this method are the high quality of the prepared solution, the simultaneous application of it to the wall, which allows you to obtain high-quality results, the speed of work, and the price, which is a third lower than manual work. Machine plaster will be useful mainly for those rooms that have a large area, standard non-relief shapes, and where a distinctive aesthetic effect is needed.

Hand plastering

Hand plastering requires the use of hand tools such as a putty knife and trowel. This type of plaster takes much longer to complete than mechanical plaster, but it is what is most often needed in small rooms, apartments, and other premises, especially if they have a rather complex surface: they have columns, etc.

All work on the installation of the water supply system is carried out simultaneously. These works require a clear understanding and idea of ​​where each piece of plumbing should be located. Naturally, this stage of repair work also assumes the presence of all plumbing products that must be installed. Also at this stage, water supply and sewerage pipes are laid.

After all plastering work is completed, water supply and sewerage equipment is installed, you can move on. In most cases, this stage is for newer and more advanced models. Also, sometimes shut-off valves can be installed near the battery, which will make it possible to regulate the flow of the body, saving money, resources, and creating a comfortable microclimate.

It is worth noting that when other finishing work is carried out, the batteries may have to be temporarily removed.

As for, for example, installing a heated floor in a bathroom, it is advisable to carry it out at the stage of screeding the floor.

When the main elements of the air conditioner begin to be installed, it is necessary to clearly know where it will be located and what type of air conditioner will be installed. This stage involves the installation of equipment such as an external unit, drainage system, air conditioning lines, etc. However, the internal units are installed during the finishing process.

Immediately after plastering work, almost at the same time as the installation of plumbing, they are carried out. Here you need to clearly know where and how many sockets and switches to install; you also need to know the number and location of the main consumers of electricity. After this, all this is done regarding the load on the electrical network and the wiring is installed according to a certain scheme.

The procedure for performing electrical installation work

It is very important to carry out the installation of electrical wiring after plastering the walls. Indeed, in this case, the accuracy of the location of switches and sockets increases, future finishing is not damaged, and the chance of damaging electrical wiring is also reduced. In addition, it is thanks to the execution of electrical installation work after plastering that there is a chance to correct some miscalculations without resorting to destruction of the already completed plaster.

It is worth emphasizing the importance of an accurate representation of the future interior of the room or apartment, so that you can know exactly where the sockets will be needed, because when they are installed thoughtlessly, this often leads to not entirely pleasant results. Therefore, you need to draw up a plan in advance for the location of all sockets and switches, and then discuss it with a specialist in order to agree on some details or eliminate possible miscalculations. After the layout design has been agreed upon, it is necessary to make a working electrical design, according to which the rough electrical installation work is carried out. They consist of laying wiring, installing socket boxes and an electrical panel. But all other elements, sockets, switches, lighting fixtures, are installed after all finishing work has been completed.

Floor screeding is carried out after all plastering work has been completed and communications have been installed. Screed is necessary, which are needed at the stage of finishing the room. There are a lot of requirements for performing such work, which include the nuances of performing the work, the materials used, drying time, etc.
There are several types and methods for laying floor screeds. We will consider them further.

Types and methods of applying screed

Wet method of concrete screed

This is by far the most common method. This screed is carried out using a very liquid sand-cement mixture, which can also be reinforced with a metal mesh for additional strength. The thickness of the screed layer made in this way is usually about 3 cm. This is a cheap and reliable method, which, unfortunately, is not without its some shortcomings:

• drying time (for certain finishing materials – up to 30 days),
• possibility of deformation and cracking,
• obtaining an uneven surface,
• possibility of water passage.

This method can be used to reduce the cost of work, but now it is gradually being abandoned.

Dry floor screed

This method is increasingly used by modern specialists, and most often in private homes. This screed eliminates the use of any wet processes, which is its main advantage. When arranging it, gypsum fiber sheets and glue are used. However, this method also has disadvantages, the main ones being the cost of the work, as well as the need to wait for the so-called maturation of the floor.

Semi-dry floor screed

This method is the most affordable in terms of price and quality of work performed. The main advantage is the ability to begin laying finishing materials on the floor 10-14 hours after the screed work has been carried out. This screed is performed using a semi-dry solution with polypropylene fiber. The result is a smooth surface that is resistant to cracks, deformation and other damage.

Mechanical floor screeding

The peculiarity of such a screed is that the solution for it is prepared in a special apparatus, which, after its preparation, is passed through a hose to the place where the screed needs to be poured. Such a screed quickly becomes strong: so, already on the fourth day you can carry out finishing work. The screed makes it possible to obtain a flat surface, and the mechanical screed is well suited for large rooms of simple geometry - in them the screed can be completed very quickly.

Plasterboard works

The work is usually carried out after the screed has dried well and settled. An excellent option for use in many rooms, especially in, is moisture-resistant drywall. Next we will dwell on specific types of drywall and their characteristics.

Types of drywall and its properties

The following main types of drywall are distinguished:

• wall: its thickness is 12.5 mm, it is used very often for wall cladding, as it makes it possible to create a smooth surface without plaster. It is also used for arranging partitions, and sometimes for cladding the ceiling;
• ceiling: used in ceiling cladding, especially when it is planned to use suspended ceilings. Its thickness is 9.5 mm to facilitate the ceiling structure;
• arched: the thickness of this drywall is even smaller - 6.5 mm. It is used to create arched structures of various sizes.

Drywall is also divided depending on the place of use according to a number of characteristics. Thus, there is moisture-resistant plasterboard, which is practically unable to absorb moisture, and is often used in bathrooms and kitchens, fire-resistant, which is recommended for use, for example, in the area near the fireplace.

All types of plasterboard have such positive properties as thermal insulation, good sound insulation, environmental friendliness, and the ability to carry out clean, “dry” construction work using it. Partitions made from plasterboard can be subjected to any finishing work; plasterboard bonds well with almost any material.

Disadvantages of drywall

Despite all the advantages listed above, it is important to note that drywall also has some disadvantages. Thus, the main disadvantage of plasterboard structures is their low durability and inability to withstand heavy loads and impacts, which manifests itself in the inability to attach a medium-heavy cabinet, etc., to such a wall. This makes drywall impossible to use in some areas. Over time, cracks may form on drywall due to exposure to vibrations and displacement of sheets relative to the joints.

Drywall also causes some installation difficulties and the need for a special approach, especially for ceiling structures.

The use of drywall is also associated with a decrease in usable area: metal frames take up space and reduce the height of rooms. By the way, rodents can grow in the space between two sheets of drywall and mold can also develop. It is worth noting the low breathability of plasterboard, which affects the microclimate of the room and calls into question its use by people with respiratory diseases. Drywall is hygroscopic, and therefore can become deformed over time when exposed to humidity.

All these qualities of drywall make it not the material that is used in elite-class repairs, since very often its behavior in certain conditions cannot be predicted. Although, the popularity of such designs remains at the same high level.

They must be done as carefully and carefully as possible, since it is the quality of its installation that largely determines the overall impression of the repair. Naturally, the finished tile covering directly depends on the quality of the tile itself, which is almost impossible to predict - its quality becomes known only when the time comes to lay it, and it finally arrives at the work site.

It is worth noting that the most difficult thing to lay is tiles that have a complex pattern and various decorative elements: the more such elements, the lower the quality of installation and the higher the complexity. It is also more difficult to lay tiles that are elongated in length.

).

As for ceilings, painting work begins with priming the surface, installing a painting corner and sealing the seams between sheets of drywall. Then they move on to gluing the fiberglass and priming it, puttying and sanding the ceiling, which can be done in two stages. All painting work on the ceiling is completed by painting it.

Usually, the installation of plumbing begins after all the facing work has been completed: bidet,. Sometimes, when the intended design requires it, some of the facing work is carried out after installing the plumbing. So, sometimes it is necessary to lay tiles exactly along the edge of a shower stall or bathtub.

When installing, which is also included in the list of plumbing installation works, it is important not to scratch the chrome parts, so you need to use special tools. You should also not forget about the need to seal the joints of sanitary ceramics with cladding.

It is best to start laying flooring when all other finishing work has been completed, i.e. It is better to use the floor covering to complete all stages of finishing. The same applies to doors, as well as stairs, which are provided for installation by the project.

Each type of flooring has a number of requirements for their implementation. So, for example, on foamed polyethylene, and parquet requires laying on a concrete screed covered with plywood, after which all the necessary painting work is carried out, upon completion of which the coating itself is laid, fastening it to the plywood with nails. To avoid getting dirty, it is usually covered with paper or cardboard on top.

Finishing work

Such work includes all finishing work that involves decorating the finishing of the room. In addition to the painting work itself, finishing work also includes work on applying complex decor to walls and ceilings. So, it is this stage that involves performing Venetian plaster, applying texture paint, and others. After all painting and finishing work has been completed, they begin to complete the installation of electrical equipment that began earlier. Thus, this stage involves the final arrangement of sockets and switches, as well as the installation of various types of lighting fixtures: lamps, chandeliers, sconces, etc. At this stage, various electrical appliances are also connected.

Finishing is carried out at the last stage of repair work. It includes a number of procedures that make it possible to obtain a finished premises. It is important to consider that this process is started only after the rough work has been completed. If everything is done correctly, the finishing procedures will not require much effort.

First of all, you need to decide what the finishing of an apartment is. This concept does not have a clear, fixed designation, so there are several interpretations. In general, finishing work implies processes that do not require large-scale and labor-intensive manipulations, the result of which is a room that is absolutely ready for habitation.

On a note! Confusion arises because there are several options for dividing repair work into stages. So, in the first case, the list includes only two processes: finishing and rough finishing. But often there is an intermediate stage - pre-finishing. This is why the line between the works that should be included in each category is a little blurry.

There is no clear line of demarcation between the concepts of rough and fine finishing; they are defined only in general directions

It is necessary to take into account that currently it is possible to buy housing at various stages of the work. Many people prefer fully finished houses or apartments, which has a number of undeniable advantages:

1. You can move in immediately. All communications are functional, and surfaces have decorative cladding.
2. There is no need for additional expenses, which saves the family budget a little.
3. There is a possibility that the finishing work was carried out by professionals and is of good quality.

Buying an apartment with full finishing has many advantages only if you have confidence in the integrity of the craftsmen and the quality of materials

Of course, this solution also has disadvantages:

• If a new home is purchased with finishing work completed, then their cost is probably included in the final price of the house or apartment.
• Finishing is carried out in a standard manner, without taking into account individual preferences.
• There is no way to check whether rules and regulations were followed. It often happens that decorative cladding of walls, floors and ceilings is carried out when the surfaces are not yet sufficiently dry after pouring the screed and plastering. This leads not only to damage to the coating, but also to the appearance of mold and mildew, which are very difficult to get rid of.

Thus, there are several options: purchasing turnkey housing, performing all or part of the activities yourself, as well as hiring craftsmen whose work can be controlled.

The golden mean is considered to be the purchase of housing for final finishing.

General list of works and sequence of their implementation

The first stage is the final alignment of the walls and ceiling

The final leveling of the surfaces is carried out using a putty solution. The fact is that plastering the base does not provide the evenness that is necessary for laying many facing materials. So, if you don’t get a perfectly smooth coating, then it’s impossible to paint it properly.

The process is as follows:

1. The most suitable putty mixture for the job is selected.
2. If the product is purchased dry, it is first diluted with water and kneaded.
3. Plastered surfaces are primed.
4. Application is carried out using a spatula and a rule. A trowel is used for final leveling.

The general procedure for finishing plastering is simple, but requires certain skills

This event is more suitable for preliminary preparation, so it can fall into several categories.

Second - laying tiles

Tiles are considered an ideal material for tiling rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, toilets and corridors. Of course, if necessary, this solution can be abandoned, but these products are suitable for objects with high humidity or pollution.

It is important to consider that this process begins after the walls have been treated, but before the installation of plumbing and interior items. The moisture content of the facing surface must be assessed, and a specially selected adhesive composition is used for fixation.

Laying the tiles is done after the pipework has been installed, but before the plumbing fixtures are installed.

The parts are laid according to the existing pattern, uniform seams are formed between the elements. After installing the entire coating, you need to wait until it dries completely. Next, the joints are cleaned and grouted.

Now there is a wide variety of materials; they are divided not only by decorative qualities, but also by the surface on which they will be mounted.

Third – working with the ceiling

Various options can be used for finishing cladding. The most popular at the moment is considered to be a suspended ceiling, and the most inexpensive is painting or pasting with cheap foam or polystyrene boards.

There is no need to prepare the surface for a suspended ceiling; all other options require leveling the surface

Fourth – floor finishing

The floor experiences the greatest loads, so it is necessary to carefully consider the process of covering it. Rough work most often assumes that such a surface will be filled with screed, but this does not always allow for a truly even coating. Therefore, before finishing, final leveling is performed using a self-leveling compound.

Later, when the floor is completely dry, various materials can be used for work. If some rooms are tiled, then for the remaining rooms the most popular is the use of carpet, linoleum or laminate.

In the budget sector there is now quite a large selection of finishing materials

Fifth - final wall cladding

Wall finishing can be done using complex or simple options. The following solutions stand out:

• Wallpaper. There are many types of material that differ in their characteristics. So, paper products are considered the simplest. To obtain a better result, it is recommended to use non-woven and vinyl options. Pasting wallpaper is not the most difficult process that requires care.
• Coloring. This method has long been considered one of the most popular, but at the moment it is used much less frequently, because to obtain a truly beautiful surface you need to try. Painting requires perfect preparation of the walls. For the job, suitable compounds are used, which are applied to the base in a convenient way. The main thing is to get uniform coverage.

Wallpaper for painting is considered a middle option between wallpaper and painting.

• Use of decorative plaster. This group also includes compositions that can create a textured and textured effect. But to obtain the necessary surface, you need to have some skills.
• Installation of panels, lining or decorative stone. Each option makes it possible to get an original interior and has its own characteristics.

Venetian plaster and facing stone are considered elite types of finishing, but if desired, you can decorate them yourself

Indeed, decorating walls with your own hands involves many solutions, which allows you to choose the most preferable one.

Sixth – electrician

During rough work, electrical cables are laid and power consumption points are created. And during the final finishing, external electrical equipment and components are installed: sockets and switches are mounted, lamps and sconces are hung, the correct connections in the distribution boxes are checked and the presence of all external devices in the panel is checked. All work is carried out after covering the surfaces.

Sockets and switches are installed only after finishing the walls

On a note! If frame structures are installed on walls and ceilings, then it is necessary to provide for the distribution of wiring.

Seventh – plumbing

The plumbing is installed at the last stage, in order to prevent damage to it, you should plan the creation of the wiring in advance. Due to the fact that currently polypropylene pipes are predominantly used, they can be laid over the finish, taking care. Plumbing is installed in accordance with existing rules, all connection points are carefully checked. Then all that remains is to arrange and hang the interior items.

Thus, finishing activities complete all work, creating premises that are completely suitable for habitation.

Renovating an apartment raises a lot of questions, especially for those who for the first time decided to take on such a responsible task, relying on their own strength. Our recommendations will help you plan your work correctly so that you don’t have to correct mistakes later.

Preparing for renovation - planning and design selection

The correctly chosen sequence of renovations in the apartment will help you complete it in a short time, without unnecessary worries. Initially, you should decide what repairs are to be made. Perhaps it will be cosmetic: limited to changing wallpaper, painting and other individual operations. If major renovations are needed, planning is essential. After all, it may touch windows, doors, walls, floors and ceilings. You might want to redesign the premises and remove the partitions.

The layout and design of premises requires careful consideration. For each room, think about what material will be needed for the walls, ceilings, and floors. You may need to replace windows or want to rearrange furniture. It’s impossible to keep everything in your head, so you need to make a plan. We measure all the rooms and make drawings on separate sheets. For each room you will need six of them: one for the floor and ceilings, four for each wall separately. On the plan, indicate the placement of windows, doors, sockets, switches, and lamps.

On each sheet, write down what materials will be used. For example, the floor in the kitchen: linoleum with insulation - 12 m2, brown color. Ceiling: 12 m2, water-based paint, white. First wall: 6.1 m 2, level - satengypsum starting, finishing, primer. Painting: water-based emulsion, peach color, colorex, primer. Replace the door with a new one, leave the trim. It is advisable to indicate how much of which material will be needed, based on consumption rates; it would be nice to indicate the price. If you do not undertake some work, but will involve a specialist, indicate this in the plan. This is only indicative planning, you can record whatever you think is necessary. A start has been made - the work has been planned.

Continuation of preparation - furniture is moved, unnecessary elements are dismantled

An ideal option if, in order to carry out renovations, it is possible to completely empty the apartment of furniture and interior elements. But, most likely, it will have to be moved to one of the rooms so that it does not interfere with work. We lay it compactly and wrap it with stretch film. Renovation begins with other rooms. When at least one room is ready, the furniture is moved there, arranging it as the rooms are ready.

The next step is to dismantle the elements that need to be replaced. If the repair is cosmetic, remove the layer of old linoleum and remove the wallpaper. During a major renovation, you may have to remove interior doors, remove partitions, change the location of doors, create special niches in the walls, remove plumbing, etc. If you are not going to change the floor, but only update it, do not forget to cover it with film so as not to damage it.

Time to remove the old windows if you are going to install new ones. After installing the windows, do not remove the protective film from them. Let it remain during the repair and protect the glass from scratches, dirt, and dust that are inevitable during repairs. If redevelopment is planned, there is a desire to start from scratch, we demolish non-load-bearing partitions.

Water, heating, electricity - we repair, install new

Having finished dismantling, step by step. We start with communication systems. The time for a major overhaul is the best time to replace electrical wiring, heating radiators, pipes, install a hood, and an air conditioner. Communications should be planned in advance, especially wiring. If you are going to build new partitions, the work should be completed before laying the wiring and pipes, so that you do not have to break and redo them later. In a frame house, it is better to hide the wiring and pipes in the walls. On the walls, grooves are made from a different material where the wiring is hidden.

Residents of panel houses should keep in mind that walls in such houses can only be tapped in a vertical direction. We install the wiring under the ceiling or in the place where the walls and floor meet. We hide the wires under or behind the baseboard. Do not forget to run cables for the Internet, television, and intercom at the same time as the wiring. We don’t install switches, sockets, and lamps right away, we just prepare places for them. Installation of devices is carried out after completion of all work.

We do plumbing: we install pipes to supply water to the washing machine and discharge it to the sewer. We also make connections to faucets, bathtubs, showers, dishwashers, and toilets. Now it is important to know the dimensions of the bathtub and shower, water and sewer connections. It’s good when they have already been purchased, but you can also find out the technical specifications in the store where you are going to buy the equipment.

Finishing work - room for flight of fancy

We carry out finishing, starting from the top - from ceilings to walls and floors. This sequence prevents damage to the repaired parts when working with others. Stretch ceilings are an exception: they are done last. If you need to make a floor, we start by leveling it with a screed. We use an economical method - a cement-sand mixture. Whenever possible, we use self-leveling floors. They are more expensive, but the result is worth it. If you are going to install a heated floor system, now is the time.

Let's start leveling the walls. The duration of work and the amount of material depend on the condition of the surfaces. You may need several layers, or you can get by with just one. The walls are leveled mainly with your own hands. Using machine leveling in an ordinary apartment is impractical. Manual alignment is performed in two ways: visual and using beacons. We align the walls that are being prepared for painting according to the beacons, which ensures better quality.

Having finished plastering, we move on to the final work - putty. Putty should be applied thoroughly to seal all uneven areas and utility lines. We finally prepare the surface for finishing. The choice of primer is important - a high-quality one will avoid problems during puttying, painting, and pasting. If you are going to install decorative elements like crown molding, do it now.

Then we move on to the wall tiles. It is important to plan which tiles we will use on which wall. If possible, we make an installation diagram on the computer or draw it on paper. This way we’ll know exactly how many tiles you’ll need and how many will have to be cut in order to wisely plan your purchase of stock. A variety of colors, patterns, finishing materials allows you to make the apartment unique. In addition to ceramic tiles, decorative mosaics, bamboo tiles, 3D elements and much more are used at this stage.

We are approaching the finish line - the final important touches

We install the plumbing - all the connections have been completed before - and begin laying the flooring or decorating the walls. Most builders prefer this order: first, start laying the finished floor: laminate, parquet, linoleum. Next we are installing interior doors. We select the door in advance in order to prepare, if necessary, doorways of the required height and width. We install the frames and hang the door leaf. We cover the clean floor with film and work on the walls. Options at your discretion: painting, wallpaper.

It is not necessary to attach the trim immediately; it is better to do this after painting the walls or wallpapering them.

We complete the process by installing lamps, switches, sockets, and fastening baseboards.

Summing up - sequence of actions

So, summing up all the tips, we will outline the sequence of repair work in the apartment:

1. 1. We consider what kind of repair is needed: cosmetic or major, and choose a design. We draw drawings and indicate materials.
2. 2. We take out, remove furniture and everything that will interfere with the repair, dismantle unnecessary elements on the floor and walls.
3. 3. We do dusty work: we remove old windows, install new ones, tear down partitions and install new ones. We supply communications - electrical wiring, pipes for connecting household appliances and plumbing.
4. 4. Finishing work: plastering the walls, making a subfloor. We putty, prime, lay the tiles. We are finishing the floor and decorating the walls.
5. 5. We install plumbing and appliances, hang the door. We fasten the baseboards and platbands.

We begin the repair from the most distant room, so that debris and dirt are not carried into the repaired premises. We are repairing the corridor last. Garbage and building materials are carried through it and there is a high risk that the walls, floor, and ceiling will be accidentally damaged. We close the renovated room and cover the door with construction film. In this way, we will prevent the ingress of dust, debris, and building materials from premises where renovations are ongoing.