Renovating an apartment – how to prepare?

 

 

Renovating an apartment means expense, stress and a host of difficult decisions. How can you carry out an apartment finishing project painlessly? What should you pay attention to so that the cost of the renovation does not exceed the planned budget? Read what Krzysztof Miruć, who knows everything about renovations, advises on this subject.

 

How should you prepare for a renovation if you have never dealt with one before? Should you draw knowledge from the internet, ask friends, check online forums?

First of all, we need to know what we want, meaning we ourselves must answer the question of what we want to renovate, and how. We also need to gather a budget and remember that every budget is divided into three parts. The first is the cost of the renovation crew, that is, their wages; the second part is the building materials needed by the renovation crew to carry out the work. The third part is the finishing materials, that is, what we see and what will later bring us joy. Very often we forget about these first two elements, and certainly about the second one. We think that in total we are only buying tiles, but let us remember that for porcelain stoneware you need grout, adhesive, primer, to clean and prime the wall. For all of this we will be charged by the renovation crew.

So how should you estimate the costs of a renovation? Is it better to price an apartment renovation per m² or each room separately?

We price the cost of renovation per m² of the apartment. Nowadays, the price per m2 for an apartment renovation already ranges from PLN 650-850 and upwards.

And how should you estimate the duration of the renovation?

Usually the working time is estimated by the renovation crew. It is different if we plan to carry out the renovation with our own funds and hands – on weekends and after working hours. When preparing for a renovation, it is good to ask friends and acquaintances how they coped with their renovation. What renovation crews they hired. Let us get their contact details, call them and ask about their availability. Let us remember that a good tradesman has work; for a good tradesman you have to wait, and therefore we plan the renovation well in advance. First we must know what we want to do, we must be certain of it and estimate the scope of work. Then look for a renovation crew and wait for it. If a tradesman is available at a day's notice, we should reconsider choosing him. Of course, it can happen that we are exceptionally lucky because something fell through for him, but most often tradesmen have a list of people waiting for them. If a tradesman is available at a day's notice, then unfortunately he is most likely poor. A good tradesman in every field, whether a seamstress, hairdresser, beautician, doctor or lawyer, has work. The same goes for a renovation crew. When we go to a hairdresser or doctor, we book an appointment in advance. We have adopted some strange assumption that renovation crews are available and can do it for us immediately. No. Good renovation crews are good tradesmen; they have work.

 

So how should you look for a renovation crew? Ask friends, look for advertisements?

Of course, we choose a beautician, hairdresser, lawyer or dentist in the same way. We ask friends. Before we decide on a specific contractor, let's ask if we can go to a construction site where they are working and see how they work. Let's check whether the site is clean or whether they do a good job. Let's ask for a reference list, let them give us a list of clients they have worked for. Let's call these people, let's not be embarrassed about it. Let's talk to them about whether they were satisfied, how the crew performed the work. Let's check whether they have insurance for the work they perform. Let's check whether they have a business, whether they can issue us an invoice, whether they can be held liable if something happens. Let's simply check whether it is a reliable company.

Should we sign a contract with the contractor, and what kind? What should we stipulate in such a contract?

We write down the scope of work, the amount and the time in which this work is to be performed. We also remember that additional work may always arise, which during the performance of the work must be priced and we must confirm it. There cannot be a situation where later we receive a second invoice, because it can be an unpleasant surprise. We agree on the scope of work that we discuss, and even if we do not understand what is written there, we ask whether this amount includes this, that and the other. We write everything down on one sheet of paper, from when to when, what and for how much.

When we send enquiries for quotes to various crews, the range is from a dozen or so to tens of thousands of zlotys. What should a renovation cost estimate for an apartment look like and how should such a quote be read?

First of all, we must define the scope of work that interests us. Let's remember to include additional renovation-related activities, such as: securing the work area, cleaning, bringing items in, taking items out. The more they list for us, the more reliable they are. Let's avoid the situation of “for this amount I will do everything for you”, because that is not true. Let's remember that renovation work is priced per individual element or is calculated as a lump sum, that is, for the service performed. The ranges vary, because some are better, others are worse, some are cheaper, others are more expensive. It is just like at the hairdresser's or beautician's. More expensive crews are simply better.

Should you work with several crews during a renovation? For example, assign the bathroom to one and floor laying to another?

I advise against such things, because later it is difficult for us to establish responsibility if something gets damaged. Everyone will blame everyone else. It was not us, it was them.

 

Most showrooms with fittings also offer installation services. Is it worth using such a service when buying flooring, doors or tiles?

If it is a single item or a single thing, then by all means yes. If, however, it is something complex, then no. As I say, the crews will get in each other's way and there will be a problem.

How far in advance of the renovation should fittings be ordered, from doors, through flooring, to terracotta?

The earlier the better, if we have space for storage.

From your experience, do you think there are any investor mistakes that come up often?

Yes. We think that a renovation crew is available at a day's notice. We forget that renovation costs also include building materials, which we have to pay for. In short, these are all the elements that we build with and that cannot be seen. We also usually underestimate renovation costs. Let's be prepared for the fact that the budget we set will always increase by about 15 to 20%.

Let's also remember one thing. A renovation crew should come early in the morning and start work at the hour we discussed. Finish half an hour before work and spend that half hour cleaning. A clean site shows the crew's respect for us and their respect for the workplace. Then there is less dust, less mess, and we as investors are satisfied.

Should you supervise the renovation crew's work every day?

If we know about it, then yes, but a client on a construction site is as annoying as a mosquito in a tent. It is best to arrange with the renovation crew to close individual stages. They demolished a wall for us, let them show us the result. Likewise, for example, after laying the installations. Let's pay for the completed elements and pay a deposit for the next stages. We will feel safe and will see how the work is progressing.

So how should the crew's work be accepted? Should some external audit be commissioned?

No, let's remember to respect the professionals who will explain to us what was done and how, let's take photographic documentation and that's it.